where to put overflow box?

[johno4]

I am in the process of building a large plywood tank 96x36x24. I am not sure were to put the overflow box. At first I was going to put one in each back corner of the tank, now that it is time to do it Im not sure if I should go with a larger center overflow. I know that there are a lot of experienced people in the area so I thought I would get everyones opinions, or pros and cons of each idea.

Thanks for you help.
john

 

[gary greguire]

My personal opinoin is: I think the center ones take up to much of the prime area of the tank I like the corner overflows or exterior ones.

 

[johno4]

thanks for the reply gary

 

[Arik]

You want to maximize surface area of the overflow, so I would go with two corner overflows or a long, skinny center overflow.

 

[MarksReef]

I agree, with 96 inches you are going to need 1 in each corner.

 

[johno4]

thanks all, Im going to go with the two corners.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Sheesh. I didn't even get time to reply and your mind is already made up!

 

[zooqi]

How about this one,, Dr. Sanjay had his 180 like that too and he had tons of space. His new tank design is like that too.
This is his picture of his new tank

from this thread
thread..

 

[zooqi]

If you need picture of his old 180 then let me know because I have it and I can get you a drawing or picture sometimes. It is the same but has a cut in the center (sandblasted).

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

The design zooqi posted a pic of was the one I was going to suggest. An alternative would be to place the overflow internally instead of externally.
I think it's great that you're building a plywood aquarium, johno4.
You have other overflow design alternatives available to you as well as the ones already suggested here.
How many viewing panes are you incorporating into it's design?

 

[bosborn1]

Is that similar to the Calfo Design in which the overflow runs the entire length of the tank? If so I would second Zooqi. When I finally start building the 650 it will use a overflow like that. The length of tank overflow is the way to go. I have thought of draining the 180 and building it into that tank....I think I'll wait for the new system.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=96954&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500

Scott

 

[captain7359]

i'd go with the calfo "coast to coast" except if I ever do it i will leave ~6" on each side for cleaning and such. it may work perfect coast to coast for you since the glass probally won't go all the way to the back of the tank.

 

[zooqi]

The 180 that I have from Sanjay has overlow about 5' of the tank internally. The water from that goes through two cuts each a foot to the bigger overflow outside the tank. It is really nice and it makes the tank look alot bigger than it is and lots of space. If fish went through it they stay in the second overflow outside. Sanjay had a pair of Akyndinos in there and he kept frags in there too.

 

[johno4]

there is going to be just one viewing pane in the front. I like the idea of the overflow being the length of the tank but I don't want to add it to the outside of the tank b/c It is already 36 in. wide I dont want it any wider. So b/c it is going to be inside the tank I figured it would take up less tank space if I just went in the corners. Does that make sense or do you all still think I should go the length of the tank? How large to you think it/they should be? In terms of l x w.

 

[captain7359]

how much do you actually plan on returning to the tank through the sump? if you are only going to have 1000 gph 24-36" would be plenty. i would use the overflow calculator on rc to see what it suggests based on your planed flow rate and add a few inches for a thinner water layer.

 

[johno4]

I need at least 30 in. What do you think about making overflow boxes on both sides running the width of the tank (36in), and just making them wide enough to contain the plumbing. I dont mind losing a few inches on the length of the tank. Does that sound like it would work?

 

[captain7359]

do you have plans for the tank and a pict of the location it is going to be in you could post? you could run them along the side and still have them exit out the back of the tank with 1.5" or 2" drains.

 

[johno4]

i dont have pics of the plans. I want to have the tank sitting as close to the wall as possible so thats why i dont want the drains running out the back. Does the idea of haveing the overflows on the side of the tank make sense? Would it work?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7227256#post7227256 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by johno4
Does the idea of haveing the overflows on the side of the tank make sense? Would it work?

It would work. You could make the side overflow(s) internal or external. You might even be able to get away with one overflow on one side- but if you make it 30" it will be close to the front viewing pane. Maybe you'll want to stick with two 15"ers on both short ends.

 

[johno4]

The actual pane of glass is about six inches short of the length of the tank on each side so if I did it on the sides you would not be able to tell unless you saw the tank from the top. So it should work and look ok.