260g Overflow location

[blksubykid]

Hey guys/gals

I recently sold all of my tanks and stock in order to have a custom 260g tank built for me (84"x30"x24"). I wanted to have an overflow installed but the builders suggested that I either get one in the center or one on each corner. Personally, I would like to just get one in a corner with a 1" diameter hole drilled through the bottom in order to maximize the floor space for my fish, but I was also thinking I could install an hang-on over flow box than pushed over 1000+ gph instead. Im thinking about going this route because its cheaper and will allow me to have the maximum floor space needed for my fish. Also to keep into consideration is that Im a full time engineering student so i HARDLY WORK lOl and my recent tanks and stock are basically paying for this set-up with very little coming out of pocket so far. In addition to running a sump I was going to purchase an FX-5 as well to help with mechanical filtration.

Now my question is which set-up would you run or recommend to run (and why of course lOl)? I'm aiming to get 2000gph flowing through the tank via filtration and possibly some Hydor Koralia powerheads. Once that question is resolved, Ill be looking into getting the proper water pump to be able to handle the water input of the overflow. I know height and headloss will play a factor, but I was thinking about getting one at the same rate or a little bit higher and installing valves on both the overflow and pump. But please let me know if I am heading in the right or wrong direction. I welcome any ideas or plans as well as constructive criticism to my set-up!

I know there are probably 2134974829 threads about this and Ive already gone through over 15pages on here with different key words for several days now.


Thanks in advance
-Artie

 

[est 032909]

glass holes.com works great. used one. mind was blown.

 

[thecoolguy]

drill 2 holes for 1.5" bulkheads on the back of tank ---- inside the tank, just an overflow box that fits these 2 holes - think hob overflow, but just cemented/siliconed inside the tank with nothing on the back --- plumb it herbie style

done.....

 

[blksubykid]

Thanks!

 

[framcosco]

Artie, my two cents....if you are getting custom built, I'd go with a corner overflow OR if the builder can build a horizontal overflow like thecoolguy describes that would work as well..... if you decide on a corner overflow which is what most builders are most comfortable with, get 1.5" - 2" (aquarium to sump) and two .75" (sump to aquarium) -- use two return pumps instead of one. If one ever burns, the other one is still pumping......PLEASE do not use a Hang on Back overflow box if you are custom building this.......it is well worth paying extra for the built in overflow.... by doing so you don't have to worry about matching your pump to the overflow box......powerheads for movement works but it all depends on the type of fish you will be housing.....I personally use the vortech powerheads as I can control the gph (can customize depending on the type of fish you have) and uses very little space in the tank.....ALSO SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT......have the sump custom made -- something like 80" by 28" footprint........this way you can do the water changes from the sump without ever disturbing the fishes in the tank.....well worth it if you can fit it in your plans......

 

[Egon]

Artie, my two cents....if you are getting custom built, I'd go with a corner overflow OR if the builder can build a horizontal overflow like thecoolguy describes that would work as well..... if you decide on a corner overflow which is what most builders are most comfortable with, get 1.5" - 2" (aquarium to sump) and two .75" (sump to aquarium) -- use two return pumps instead of one. If one ever burns, the other one is still pumping......PLEASE do not use a Hang on Back overflow box if you are custom building this.......it is well worth paying extra for the built in overflow.... by doing so you don't have to worry about matching your pump to the overflow box......powerheads for movement works but it all depends on the type of fish you will be housing.....I personally use the vortech powerheads as I can control the gph (can customize depending on the type of fish you have) and uses very little space in the tank.....ALSO SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT......have the sump custom made -- something like 80" by 28" footprint........this way you can do the water changes from the sump without ever disturbing the fishes in the tank.....well worth it if you can fit it in your plans......

I agree with this! Go with at least two 1.5 inch drains. Definatly have an overflow custom built if you’re having the tank built. You may look into a "coast to coast" over flow. It’s basically an over flow completely covering the back wall of the aquarium kind of like a negative edge pool. The water pours out the back and is caught in a tray in the back and that tray drains to your sump. No tank real-estate is used. A custom built sump is a great idea but this will cost you. Just go with a used Craig's list tank.

 

[framcosco]

A custom built sump is a great idea but this will cost you. Just go with a used Craig's list tank.

Money is no object for Artie....he owns about half of the tennis shoes in So Cal! Don't know who is making your aquarium but if you go with a custom sump, check out Charlie & the fish factory.... got a nice price on a custom sump from him.