Which tank design do you like better?

[imcosmokramer]

Originally Posted by e46er

I like #1
In #2 If your return is under water like that you will need to also figure out a way to stop the syphon when the pump shuts off

I would use a lockline to move it to the surface. It will be higher than the water level (or right at it)

[Lampshade]

I like #2 better. Technically it should be stronger since you don't have a corner cut into the glass that will be a stress point(even though there's very little stress with 1" of water). Lots of people with #1 though that works great for them.

Love the size of both though, very wide. Will make a great reef.

[therealshark]

i like design #1. only cause its pretty much exactly what i have. you can see pics in concept's thread (pics 11 and 12). it is 60x30x24h

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=82418

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by imcosmokramer

Do you mean extend them, but not all the way to the ends? I'm going to have a tee and an elbow in there for each of the three drains, so I have to make sure there is enough room.

Pretty much yeah, if you stick with a notch you'll need at least 2 inches on each side so it can be cut properly. If you want to extend the box the full length then skip the notch and lower the height of the entire side pane but keep the overflow box separate and not part of the front pane. Alternatively you could also just extend the length of the tank and go with an internal overflow box on the side.

Also when I say front and sides, I calling the pane with overflow the side and 5x2 pane the front.

[StirCrazy]

I am going to throw a problem in here. design 1 has two inside 90 degree corners in the back pain, which are inherent stress points in cut glass. so in-fact tank 1 could actually be weaker on the back.

as for looks tank 2 will look much cleaner from the front and a coast to coast overflow is nice for a few reasons, better surface skimming and also because of the extra length it has more volume. the only issue I have is how are you doing your returns in number 2

my vote is for design 2

Steve

[mattdean]

#2 for me. All you have to do is have your everflow notch for the returns and use lock line. that's what I did. My returns are drilled in the bottom and they come up, then bend into the tank under water. I even have acrylic on top to finish off the look.

Here's a pic.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by mattdean

Matt has the right idea there, essentially an internal overflow on the side if you're looking for a full width overflow.

[ScubaSteve]

Design #1 all the way. Not a fan of the up and over look. Doing the notch for design 1 is a pain if you do it yourself and a little more pricey if that glass shop does it. Design 2, if you do the long sides plus the overflow as one piece you are still having to put a notch into the glass. If you don't do it as one piece, you'll have some funky silicone work at the top edge that will be ugly and weak (gap between panels should be 1 mm). I would worry about stress points on the back glass if you do the notch so long as your glass is the right thickness. We over engineer the glass thickness as it is. Just doing a back of the napkin calculation on stress around the notches you're still at a safety factor of 4. I did a notch on my tank, couldn't be happier.

[mattdean]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Matt has the right idea there, essentially an internal overflow on the side if you're looking for a full width overflow.

Exactly. just make the whole tank longer and put the overflow inside, top to bottom. I painted the sides black and it looks slick and works flawlessly. Also gives you more water volume. All holes drilled in the bottom and nothing going over the sides or sticking out. It's as clean as it gets. AND, no worries about weak spots. It's as strong as it gets.

[imcosmokramer]

Originally Posted by mattdean

Exactly. just make the whole tank longer and put the overflow inside, top to bottom. I painted the sides black and it looks slick and works flawlessly. Also gives you more water volume. All holes drilled in the bottom and nothing going over the sides or sticking out. It's as clean as it gets. AND, no worries about weak spots. It's as strong as it gets.

interesting. How do you clean the tall overflow box?