Where did you put your overflow?

Lynnmw1208

New member
I was wondering where everyone's preference to drill their overflow was. I CAN'T do bottom so that's out of the question. but where else? I'm debating on the middle or the right hand side... :lol: and one or two returns?
 
how about one on each side.
like this:
826200742_NMKnt-M.jpg
 
so putting somewhere in the middle is the preference? I was going to get the glass-holes.com 1500gph overflow to drill into my tank. I know it's a longer one but no exact dimensions.
 
I prefer the middle. I've got a GH.com 700 gph overflow and I mounted it in the middle with two returns in the corners. I have another tank with a corner GH.com overflow and opposite corner return and I just didnt like it as much.

I wish the glass holes guys would make a coast to coast overflow, but they insist its not necessary and their current overflows are sufficient. They make a great product, but I think if they made a calfo style system that would be pretty cool.
 
an overflow in the middle (back) is difficult to reach.

for easier maintenance drill the hole for the bulkhead so you can reach it. The nice thing about drilling and installing your own overflow is that you can customize it to your particular situation/preference.
 
That's a great point Gary, I overlooked the maintenance aspect when building my stand and made my bulkheads nearly inaccessible which created problems eventually.

You might get better surface skimming with the overflow in the center, but if you have enough surface agitation from powerheads it shouldn't be a problem.
 
an overflow in the middle (back) is difficult to reach.

for easier maintenance drill the hole for the bulkhead so you can reach it. The nice thing about drilling and installing your own overflow is that you can customize it to your particular situation/preference.

Oh good point I didn't think of this. With a 6 foot tank that might be an issue having it in the middle. I'd have to reach across lol. Maybe I'll put it closer to the side but not totally in the corner.

Would you still recommend 2 return heads?
 
I have a glass-holes 1500 overflow in the middle of my five foot, 90 gallon tank. No problem getting to it and it made it simple to run the two 1 1/2 lines to the opposite corners of the sump below.
 
I just bought and installed 3x700gph overflows from Glass Holes and love them. I have both sides covered and one in the middle. I didn't pay attention to the middle brace and so installing the bulk head inside the box and then inserting that separate middle piece was very difficult. The thing I like about the overflows is they are very shallow, 3in or so, but it made it difficult to get my hand in there under the brace. You can do it, it's just difficult if you have normal size hands. By the way this is not a complaint these overflows are great.
 
I would go to the left or right ends (not corner) --this way an island usually blocks the view of it. In the middle may seem like, well errr....right, in the middle. Often a bit of an eye sore there --depending on your aquascape.
 
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