Wavebox, Oceanic, Water level

[ostrow]

Roger:

Getting a wavebox. But...

I have an Oceanic 5x2x2 155gal tank with 2 MEGA overflows on the back glass. Oceanic has that huge glass center brace. My water level kisses the bottom of that glass brace. It's 3/4 of the way up the slots on the overflow boxes, I'd say.

I need to lower the water level like an inch in the tank. I was thinking I need to dremel out those slats on the overflow, to lower them. But when I look and see the water level so high up those slats, will that do the trick???

How much do I need to cut them down? Do I need to cut all of them?

OR do I need to reduce the flow (but will that ever lower the level by an inch?????

What am I missing here?

Tank in living room, don't want to overflow the tank!!!

Thanks!
Joel

 

[ostrow]

OH yeah, the return pump comes from basement, Reeflo Hammerhead going up about 18-20 feet accounting for bends, etc.

 

[rvitko]

I would try to reduce the flow, that would help a lot. I don't have any tips for trimming the overflows, I would probably try a dremel. Keep in mind the center is the fulcrum of the wave and not so much clearance as needed, it is on the ends where the wave crests that you need to be more concerned.

 

[ostrow]

Ah hah! that last bit makes a lot of sense!

I think turning down the pump a bit (I don't want to turn it all the way down!) would lower the level maybe a quarter inch. Maybe I'll test without cutting then.... But I thought I'd have to cut the slots from what I've read.

What size wave can I expect to get on this size tank? About an inch, right?

 

[ostrow]

Roger: thought you might be interested:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=934258

 

[rvitko]

Thanks Joel, glad you are happy with it. I just got back from MACNA, hence the late reply.

 

[ostrow]

No problem. I think my biggest realization was that for a 1.2" wave, one does not need 1.2" clearance. This is not so much a "wave" with a crest as it is a rocking of the water. Half of the rocking goes down, half up. So the waterline only needs to be half the distance below the rim as the "wave" size. I have just over half an inch with the wavebox off, so the water just kisses the underside of the tank rim at the peak movement with it on.

Hope that makes sense.

Thanks.

p.s. I know there is a new drive shaft for the pump. Should I replace mine when I service the pump? Or only if the current one gets damaged?

 

[rvitko]

I would only do it if it gets damaged and if you got it within the last year it should be the new one.

 

[ostrow]

The original owner bought it October 2005, so I think it is the old one? Haven't looked yet. Would anything on the box identify it?

 

[rvitko]

No, they just include a small piece of paper showing the new one in the box. The new one was first used on the Wavebox but not until December of 2005.