size of overflow boxes

[reese1906]

I purchased my 75 gallon tank from glass cages but I absolutely hated their corner over flow. It only had one hole and it was too small for a durso standpipe.

I have decided (I think) to buy another tank from glass cages either a 240g 72 x 30 x 25 or 96 x 30 x 25 (can’t beat the price)! This time I'd like to give them the dimensions for the overflow. I'm thinking two overflow boxes on the back wall (see pict).

What would be the ideal dimensions for the overflow box that can fit all the appropriate plumbing?

Thanks

 

[nickb]

Have you considered a coast-to-coast external overflow? They take up no tank space and provide good surface skimming. The plumbing also ends up all outside the tank.

 

[reese1906]

Never heard of a coast - to coast. What are the pros and con's vs an internal overflow?

 

[thor32766]

i have external and run the 1200gph overflow box.

 

[nickb]

'coast-to-coast' refers to an overflow which goes from one side of the tank to the other. It tends to be shallow. Water drains into 2 (or more) drains to the sump. I think this is discussed in Calfo's book on Coral Propagation. One advantage is that water is skimmed from the surface over a wide area. It also takes up less space inside the tank and, to many people, is less visually intrusive.

 

[reese1906]

Does anyone have any photo's? Is this preferred for larger tanks?

 

[nickb]

Here's a relevent RC thread. There is at least one more which looked really interesting (in the Reef Discussion forum) but my search options are so limited that I can't track down the full thread link :-(

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=882168&referrerid=112003

 

[nickb]

Finally got searhc working (0630 is a good time ) Here's the thread I mentioned yesterday (only 2 postings).

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=891447

However, searching for 'Calfo overflows' found this much longer thread. Hope these help.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=473152

 

[sfsuphysics]

I thought a "Calfo Style" was an internal overflow not external.

Only con I can think of is the cutting of slot along the back is that it really makes a eurobracing not as effective anymore for the back pane.

 

[muir]

Coast 2 coast overflow

Coast 2 coast overflow

Here's mine in process. It's 72x30x24 the inner dimentions give me 195gal.+/-

 

[mflamb]

I have a 300 glass cages, 3 boxes, each one 10 inches by 4 inches.