shopping for big tank, hate megaflows

[Capt_Cully]

I'm shopping for a 180/215/220 gal for my new home. I can't stand the way AGA and Oceanic put those huge mail box megaflow overflows in the middle of the back wall, taking up viewing space and realestate.

What manufacturers make larger tanks with corner overflows?

thanks

 

[gws294]

Capt... I'm in the same boat. Looking to upgrade from a 72 to a 180. Can't stand the "mailbox," as you put it. It really creates problems with aquascaping, keeping it clean and free of small feather dusters and the like.

I've been thinking about an external overflow on the back of the tank. Maybe about 3" deep (making the front-to-back dimensions about 27") with several drain holes drilled in the overflow box for the bulkheads. The rear panel of the aquarium would have 1/2" x 24" (x2) overflows routed in the top edge. This would be a very clean look plus the tank wouldn't need to be drilled.

Any thoughts along these lines that you might have would be appreciated/

Geoff
p.s. what part of PA do you live?

 

[Shnabbles]

He is a PA, he is not from PA.

 

[reef_doug]

I'm going from a 172g Oceanic glass bowfront to 180r Acrylic.

Custom made acrylic tanks are about the same price as mass produced ones.

How about acrylic and designing the overflows and bracing yourself?

SoCal Creations (Montclair Calif) and Evisions (Portland OR) are just two of the many good acrylic tank fabricators.

Best
Doug

 

[gws294]

Shnabbles - Duh!!! Don't know what I was thinking....LOL
Thanks for clarifying.

 

[gws294]

Reef_doug - Do you know of any good tank manufacturers on the east coast...Something that we might be able to pickup.
Thanks

Geoff

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Look at Myreefcreations.com. They're in Georgia and make beautiful stuff.

 

[HDAlien]

I have a Marineland 220 with overflows in both corners.

 

[Capt_Cully]

appreciate the input, I'll look into marineland and MRC. Any opinions on Glass Cages. They look pretty nice, except the overflows in their reef tanks are clear glass. So I'd be looking at overflow and return pvc pipes in the middle of the display.

Opinions?

 

[jmaneyapanda]

I agree about the glass cages overflows- totally turns me off. besides, you either hear great things about them, or aweful things. a tough pill to swallow.

 

[prance1520]

If you've got the budget for it, Aquarium Obsessed will build you a external overflow and a gorgeous tank. Or Envision Acrylics if you wanted to go acrlyic.

GlassCages is a bit too sloppy for my taste in how the tank is put together. I like things very clean. Plus, clear overflows are just kinda wierd But its tough to beat his prices.

 

[scbadiver]

I have a 240 GLass Cages tank. I know that they use a little "extra" silicone but I've been very satisfied. You just have to draw up EXACTLY what you want, with measurments and he makes it. As far as the clear oveflow, I found it simple enough to make a black acrylic box out of 3/16 material and glued it in place with a little silicone, looks same as a Oceanic overflow now and that was only a few hours of work and I saved, oh about $2600 bucks over the Oceanic tank.

 

[Capt_Cully]

I definitely want to stick with glass. Having a heck of a time finding corner overflow. Why Oceanic changed I'll never know. The darn megaflows are so obtrusive.

Are marineland and perfecto the same company?

Any other glass made to orders?

 

[jacob30]

Go with Aquarium Obsessed. Awesome tanks great price and you can get anyoverflow you want. Plus since your in New York you could pick it up in Toronto. Here is a link to their forum:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=434

and website:
http://www.aquariumobsessed.com/Splash.htm

Another option is Ocean Image:

http://www.oceanimage.net/

Also Miracles is real good:

http://www.miraclesaquariums.com/

Here is my AO tank right after delivery (note the external overflow):

http://s27.photobucket.com/albums/c...ent=DSC01423.jpg&refPage=20&imgAnch=imgAnch35


Jacob

 

[jmaneyapanda]

I really dont see the megaflows being any larger or more obtrusive than other companies overflows. Are you just looking for one not in the back wall, or specifically in the corner? I think, ideally, you'd want an external overflow box, then, as it will take nothing from the tank space.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

I really dont see the megaflows being any larger or more obtrusive than other companies overflows. Are you just looking for one not in the back wall, or specifically in the corner? I think, ideally, you'd want an external overflow box, then, as it will take nothing from the tank space.

 

[gws294]

Jmaneyapanda, Thanks for reminding me about Mtreefcreations. I forgot about them.

Capt... you seem to be opposed to an external overflow. Is there a reason that this wouldn't work for you?? Seems to provide the cleanest look. JMO