As I am getting my tank supplies together, I wanted to put two overflows in it, each 4ft long, 6" top to bottom, and 6" out. My plan is to put horizontal PVC in it with a ton of holes, with 2x 1.5" outlets from each going to the sump for a total of 4x 1.5" from the 2 overflow boxes to the sump. However every overflow I see goes all the way down. Why is that?
Why do overflows go to the bottom?
- Thread starter nasomi
- Start date
You got me???? I put my bulk heads in about 2" below the water line then put an elbow on the inside of the tank to set the water level.
Maybe all those corner overflow that go all the way to the bottom have the bulk heads mounted in the bottom so the tanks can sit closer to the wall?
Maybe all those corner overflow that go all the way to the bottom have the bulk heads mounted in the bottom so the tanks can sit closer to the wall?
because then they'd be underflows.
I have seen at least one person cut holes in the bottom to draw in water from lower.
they're done the way they are to limit the amount of water that can go down your stand pipe. instead of draining the top inch or two of the tank, you only drain the top inch or two inside the overflow.
if you have a big enough sump, or run it empty enough that when the pump is off you won't flood the sump, you can just run standpipes, no overflow.
I have seen at least one person cut holes in the bottom to draw in water from lower.
they're done the way they are to limit the amount of water that can go down your stand pipe. instead of draining the top inch or two of the tank, you only drain the top inch or two inside the overflow.
if you have a big enough sump, or run it empty enough that when the pump is off you won't flood the sump, you can just run standpipes, no overflow.
Most people traditionally drilled bottom of tank so you could fit the tank up against the wall. Also the longer vertical drop gives you better water flow. Every time you put in a 90 degree turn you slow water down.
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I think a full height box in the corner looks less obvious than a 6" tall glass box across the back of the tank. If I was going to do something like that I'd go for an external box rather than internal.
Ah, holes on hte bottom. Not sure why that didn't dawn on me earlier. Makes sense. Thanks for the info.
look into coast to coast overflows or C2C and u will find exactly what you are looking for. beware of shadows cast unless u do external
You can pretty much put the holes wherever you like as long as they are submerged.
I put mine through the bottom on my 300 because it sits in a hallway and space behind the tank is non existent. All my plumbing is concealed in the overflows( return and drain) so as not to "see" any of the mechanics..... Purely an aesthetic decision and bottom location made the most sense. I even spaced them in a way that I could scape around them and use them to help define territories....
If I had space behind a setup and had an empty canvas, I'd probably run a coast to coast on a tall tank. I like the fact it doesn't use any footprint and can handle alot of turnover....another good option is side mounting them up high. If you have access from the side or dont mind seeing the drainlines....
Lots of choices... Many suit different needs....
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I put mine through the bottom on my 300 because it sits in a hallway and space behind the tank is non existent. All my plumbing is concealed in the overflows( return and drain) so as not to "see" any of the mechanics..... Purely an aesthetic decision and bottom location made the most sense. I even spaced them in a way that I could scape around them and use them to help define territories....
If I had space behind a setup and had an empty canvas, I'd probably run a coast to coast on a tall tank. I like the fact it doesn't use any footprint and can handle alot of turnover....another good option is side mounting them up high. If you have access from the side or dont mind seeing the drainlines....
Lots of choices... Many suit different needs....
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They don't have to be that way. External overflow boxes don't go the full height of the tank. Mine are only 18" deep, and the tank is 48" high. Another advantage of external overflow boxes, is that you don't have to drill your stand to accomodate the plumbing from the overflow boxes.
