I'm new to overflows but I understand how the wet/dry filter system works. The corner overflow on my 180 only overflows water at the very top, much like a skimmer. There are no lower or mid-water level pickups. Do you think it's a good idea to add some holes or slits so that water can enter into the overflow at different levels? I have bottom feeding fish so there is obviously a fair amount of waste down low. Thanks
Drill holes lower on corner overflow?
- Thread starter MnKoi
- Start date
You can do that, but if you make the holes too large, you will lose the surface skimming functionality of your overflow.
I would personally not mess with it. If you want something to suck debris lower in your tank I would get a canister filter with long intakes that reach down as far as you want.
I would personally not mess with it. If you want something to suck debris lower in your tank I would get a canister filter with long intakes that reach down as far as you want.
NO! Do not drill lower holes in the overflow!!!!!
When the power goes out the overflow will drain the tank to the lowest hole in the overflow. If you drill a hole in the bottom of the overflow you will have an empty tank and water all over the floor when the power goes out!!!!
When the power goes out the overflow will drain the tank to the lowest hole in the overflow. If you drill a hole in the bottom of the overflow you will have an empty tank and water all over the floor when the power goes out!!!!
I do this on a lot of my tanks. I'm setting up a 120 right now that has 5 holes in the back. One is inside the over flow so that skims the surface, Two are mid level and I set them up to draw water from that area, the last two are returns.
It's a simple concept here's a drawing
And this is my new 120 getting plumbed. One of the lower overflows I put a T fitting in for a drain. When the drain valve is closed it works like an overflow, when it's open I can drain the tank to almost half way.
It's a simple concept here's a drawing
And this is my new 120 getting plumbed. One of the lower overflows I put a T fitting in for a drain. When the drain valve is closed it works like an overflow, when it's open I can drain the tank to almost half way.
Thank you for the replies and especially Egon for the photos. I should have mentioned that I would add a stand pipe with a vent hole in the top, such as the concept drawing above. This should allow the air to create a gap and stop the siphon. I hate to just set it up and decide the surface skimming just isn't' cutting it. Maybe I'll start with a few small dremmel slices and I could always add some later, depending on turnover rates etc.
As long as you understand that concept and are going to put a stand pipe in I would go for it!
On my tank the sump only skims from the surface BUT I also run a canister filter that sucks from the bottom of the tank. If I only ran a sump I would do what you are purposing.
Egon: Nice setup! Do you have any pictures of the plumbing on the inside of your tank?
Thanks! I'm setting this tank up now. I'm going to fully background this tank so hopefully there wont be any plumbing showing. Here's a link to that set up: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...-my-new-120-Gallon-Pic-heavy......&highlight=
