Overflow predicament

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R

Rohaus

Exodon
MFK Member
Aug 2, 2018
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I recently purchased a very nice 240 gallon 8 foot long aquarium. After doing some plumbing I discovered an issue with using a HOB overflow box. There is nothing wrong with the tank itself.

I created a video talking through the issue. Sometimes it is just easier for me to explain via video versus typing it all out. I am looking for ideas and or thoughts.

Feel free to offer suggestions after watching the video.

Thank you in advance,

 
I've drilled glass, and it's not much fun, but there is little chance of there being an issue if done right. I've never drilled an acrylic tank, but I know from drilling/cutting acrylic sheets for other applications that it is prone to cracking. So I don't blame you for being nervous.

I have no experience with that style of overflow box, so I won't offer an opinion, but I'm interested in seeing how this turns out.
 
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Well i see three sollutions to this. Either use an dremmel an cut out the acrylic bracing. Cant imagine it hurting the strength to much. Or go with two overflowboxes or drill the tank. If it were me i would drill the tank.

Its acrylic its a peace of cake to drill compared to glass.
 
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Not necessary to wet acrylic, but if you drill too slow or too fast the melting plastic can stall the hole saw.

There is an optimum speed and pressure.

But if it sticks, just let it cool and start over.

BTW, IMO those siphons are too small in diameter for such a big tank.
I have two larger than that on a 55g.
My 125 has two 1.5" drains thru the back and my 75 has one thru the bottom.

Each method has its disadvantages.

But small dia siphons are a big disadvantage. Just a leaf or a snail will kill your flow.

ALSO, when using siphon overflows, set your water levels to make sure the hob siphon will stop before the sump overflows & the pump starts sucking air before the tank can overflow.

People will say it damages the pump, but my pump cost $200 and my carpet cost $7000. Screw the pump!
Once the pump starts to suck air you will hear the noise and fix the issue ASAP, so it becomes your plugged drain alarm.
If you stop it in a reasonable time the pump won't suffer much if at all. If it runs and runs the dry bearings can melt.
 
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okay, so I called my local fish store and they informed me that they have done this sort of thing countless times and would be happy to do it for me at a very reasonable price!

next up, I need to figure out which overflow box kit I want to use...

  1. The Shadow looks very cool but I am not sure about it due to it not being made of acrylic.
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  2. Eshopps Eclipse L
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I contacted Exotic Marine Systems and they evidently aren't going to be making any new overflow kits for a few weeks...

Any other recommendations for an overflow box kit that people like?

I honestly love this method of overflow compared to the traditional big huge tower weirs you typically see... so much space is obtained by going this route instead of the internally bonded overflow boxes.
 
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