Want an opinion re. placement of overflows
 

If you were going to put two overflows into a tank ...

would you place the overflows into the corner, knowing that this will lose you some viewing area on the side edges,

or,

would you place the overflows at say the 1/3 and 2/3 points (e.g., on a 6' tank, one centred at 2' and one centred at 4')? You won't lose the viewing edge on the sides, but it's more of a challenge to aquascape.

or,

would you place the overflows in the corners, but go with "cup" style overflows? I.e., the overflow boxes don't go all the way to the bottom. instead of the bottom being drilled, the back glass is drilled. To be honest as a compromise though, I'm not sure if this is the "best" of both worlds or the "worst" of both worlds.

On a 6 foot tank, I'd make one overflow in the centre. You could use 2 holes if you wnated, but I'd go in the centre.

Doh! Ok I'll see if I can add that option to the poll.

Great, more choices. Man I have hard time making decisions....

Ok, added. Hmmmm maybe that's a good option. I don't know. I was hoping for two, to really be able to draw off the surface, like the good Mr. Calfo is harping on about these days.

Dang it! Now I need to see pictures of this option now too. Did I mention I'm not really good at making decisions??!

I'd definitely keep it out of the corners - that's one setup that always drives me nuckin futz. :biggrin:

The corner overflows have always boggled my mind, why people always choose them is beyond me - it's relatively rare that a tank is only viewed from the front - making that choice rather odd. Suppose it's probably cheaper (1-2 less pieces of glass), and that could explain a lot.

You've probably already chosen your equipment, so sit down with a pad, figure out what will fit best where, and where the overflows would be least obtrusive. There's any number of possibilities, but try to make the overflows work best for you - no point having to work around them at this stage.

Some reading on the planted tank forums about "The golden rule" and other basic aquascaping principles. They can give you some valuable insight about rock placement/layout and what will look good with the choices you do end up making.

Andy

reply
 

I chose the corners because of the way I would aqauscape a rectangular tank. I'd pile the rock right up to the top on both sides for coral placement, you won't even see the overflows. Then you have two sides to the tank for various types of sps and lps with an open beach area in the middle.

i still say coast to coast

WELL>>>>>>if it were up to me :rolleyes:

I would grind out an inch(I think,maybe more) about 1-1.5ft wide top centre of the tank and put an outside overflow on the tank.....maybe 2 2" bulkheads there. nothing to interfear with the tank..........


thats about 2 cents worth.... :razz:

Richard

Ditto.

I would go with something like this
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=354940

I have a corner one on my tank and if I could do it again I would go with one in the center. You would be able to hide it with aquascaping plus I find the corner one to be noisy no matter what I do. I think that if the overflow is surounded by water on 3 side it would help as an sound insulator