My apologies if this topic has already been addressed. I know it was recently alluded to, but I didn't see an in-depth discussion.
So my tank was designed and built nearly 3 years ago. It's been sitting empty in my house and I'm only now beginning the process of actually getting it ready to use. It has a Calfo-style external overflow and when I designed it, I planned on using vertical standpipes. Having learned about this method, I have changed my mind and plan on integrating it into my system. That said, the overflow wasn't properly designed for this, but I think it will function well.
My design incorporates dual external waveboxes which flank the overflow. I may have missed it but I haven't seen anything definitive claiming that this system will function well with inconsistent water flow into the overflow box. Here are some pictures of my overflow and parts to make the BeanAnimal overflow system.
This first photo shows the parts inside the overflow box, looking from the inside of the tank. The far left will be the siphon drain (1.5"), the middle is the emergency overflow (2"), and the right is the drain with the airline tubing (2"). You may be able to tell that there's a 4th bulkhead in the overflow box that I initially intended to function as some kind of return in the future, but I'll just have to cap that one off permanently because the plumbing parts obstruct it from ever being useful. You can also see the round strainers outside the overflow box, and those are the entry/exit points for the external waveboxes.
Here's an overhead shot looking down into the overflow box just to show how I have the parts arranged. Again, nothing is fixed in place or hard plumbed yet (obviously).
And finally, here's where the pipes will drain straight down into the sump.
And finally, here is my question: Will this overflow system function well with the waveboxes, considering that the flow into the overflow box will not be steady?
