Divider Design - Avoiding Flow Rectriction?

[Myka]

I have a 40g breeder that I'm going to put a divider down the middle and have two mini-reefs on each side. The reason is to house two breeding pairs of Bangaiis. I'm going to use either black acrylic or dark smoked glass for the divider. I think it will look cleaner that way, and the pairs won't be able to see eachother which could be stressful for them.

The tank has a sump, and the plumbing goes into the tank on the left and out on the right with a Herbie overflow. In is 1/2" and out is 1". So, how can I get decent flow through the divider? I was just going to drill a 1" bulkhead with a strainer into the divider, but I think it would be ugly. I thought of doing an overflow from one side to the other, which I think is the best idea. What do you guys think?

[Myka]

???

[Sebae again]

I think the overflow idea is a great idea . Maybe to supplement the flow in the dead spots on either side you could use split the return with valves on each side to balance the flow.

[kwirky]

make your divider out of multiple sheets, spaced apart enough so the fish can't get through yet water will go through well (unless you're trying to keep fry from going through as well). If you do this method remember to keep the spaces between the panes nice n clean so that water flow isn't restricted. Then you have your pump pick up from one section and dump in the other basically.

[Midknight]

What is the size of the tank? is it drilled? if so where?
Knowing where the drain and return are will help with the design.

[Myka]

Thanks for the ideas so far!!! I like the baffle idea...Bangaiis are small though, they might go through.

The tank is a 40g breeder, it is drilled with return/outflow in each upper back corner.