external overflows

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bbortko

bbortko

Polypterus
MFK Member
Mar 3, 2010
3,167
222
96
Northwest, Indiana
I'm really in love with the idea of external overflows, real external overflows not hob with siphons. I haven't been able to locate any info as to how far down from the top the weir should be cut into the back panel and was hoping someone here has some experience with them.

Thanks
 
The height difference between the top of the side panels and the weir depends on three things; how much water you're going to flow over it, how wide the weir is, and if you're going to run overflow comb. I don't know if there is any set way of calculating all this, but I would certainly err on the side of caution! Get it made a little lower and use an overflow comb to raise it up to the desired level.

They certainly are very cool, I didn't do it with my big tank as I didn't have space beside/behind the tank, but if ever I build a smaller display tank for the livingroom that is exactly what I'll be doing! Here's my old 400L reef (crummy pics, I took them when I sold the tank, you get the idea);


 
I see your tank was notched quite low, I'm assuming this was to accommodate the return and not for the intake?

I'm confident the builers will know what I need but I have a month or two before I can begin so I'm trying to pass the time with research since I've never had a sump. I'm thinking on going with a 24" overflow and toothless weir (heard theyare less noisy) for 2000-2200gph utilizing a beananimal set-up. Tank will be 72"x30"x24ish, getting a 24"tall background hoping I can have the notch at the top of the bg without increasing acrylic thickness since even if the tank is 25" tall the water level will only be 24".
 
Here's a couple of pictures of my overflow boxes
2012-01-13002003.jpg


2012-01-13002001.jpg


t2-1.jpg


The tank just has slots cut out with 1/2" eggcrate grids behind
stepladder.jpg



If I were to do it again, I would have the tank/overflows drilled for bigger pipes. There are four 1" returns and two 1.5" drains in each overflow box. I did not specify anything when I ordered my tank, so that's what I got. Fortunately, the overflow system will be redundant filtration, so the smaller pipes won't have a negative impact.
 
pacu mom said:
Here's a couple of pictures of my overflow boxes
2012-01-13002003.jpg


2012-01-13002001.jpg


t2-1.jpg


The tank just has slots cut out with 1/2" eggcrate grids behind
stepladder.jpg



If I were to do it again, I would have the tank/overflows drilled for bigger pipes. There are four 1" returns and two 1.5" drains in each overflow box. I did not specify anything when I ordered my tank, so that's what I got. Fortunately, the overflow system will be redundant filtration, so the smaller pipes won't have a negative impact.
Click to expand...

These aren't so much overflow boxes as they are overflow tanks! Thanks for the oics it looks like they sit pretty high so there isnt too much dead space above the water line.
 
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