Built in overflow questions

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James0816

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 1, 2007
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RecRoom is coming along just fine. Soon to begin building the in-wall tank. I have decided to go with one large tank (~150g) as opposed of doing three tanks. It will be plywood constructed. I'm looking at about 7' actual tank size not counting overflow. This could change if I decide to use the other wall and therefore would be a larger tank. ;o)

Some questions to all you monster tank builders if I may:

1) I was planning on building in two over flow areas (one at each end of the tank). Is this a good idea?

2) Is there any certain size I need to make the overflows? They will be draining into a sump and the return will be via spray bar up top.

3) With a length of 7' or more, about what thickness of glass should I be looking for?

I think that will do it for now.

Thx.
 
anyone? anyone? bueller? bueller? ;o)

looking to start getting some materials in this weekend hopefully.

thx all.
 
thickness of the glass depends on depth, and the only problem i can see with overflows on both ends would be just to make sure it is 100% level. or one will be the drain and the others will handle the excess water, if any.
 
The size of the overflow MUST be able to drain faster than you pump, and if you have two, each drain should be able to handle the capacity by itself, or else if one gets stopped up the tank could flood the room. You probably want like 5-6 times turnover with the sump, so for a 150 gallon tank, that would be 750-900 gph.
 
Thanks for the advice...I'll just go with the one overflow. I was concerned about the filtration on such a large tank which is why I was looking at two.

as far a the glass thickness....the tank will be about 2' high and 2'-3' deep. Still working on the final design.

thx again
 
James0816;1627810; said:
RecRoom is coming along just fine. Soon to begin building the in-wall tank. I have decided to go with one large tank (~150g) as opposed of doing three tanks. It will be plywood constructed. I'm looking at about 7' actual tank size not counting overflow. This could change if I decide to use the other wall and therefore would be a larger tank. ;o)

Some questions to all you monster tank builders if I may:

1) I was planning on building in two over flow areas (one at each end of the tank). Is this a good idea?

2) Is there any certain size I need to make the overflows? They will be draining into a sump and the return will be via spray bar up top.

3) With a length of 7' or more, about what thickness of glass should I be looking for?

I think that will do it for now.

Thx.
Click to expand...

1) That's fine, redundancy is good.

2) Depends on the type of overflow... safe to use 1.5" PVC

3) 5/8" - 3/4" glass, check commercial construction salvage business' (they remove everything good out of a building before it's demolished) for glass, you can get good deals.

Keep us posted,

Dr Joe

.
 
more and more reading.....can never learn too much. ;)

I'm sure I will have many more questions and will post them as I go. But for now..I have just the one.

During the countless searching and reading I have done, I have seen some examples of both glass and ply tanks with the drains either drilled on the bottom or drilled at the top.

Is this just a preference thing or a layout thing? please explain.

Thx as always
 
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