Overflows. Internal or External

[lastlight]

My external overflow on my 400g was no more than 6" out from the tank and I had 1.5" bulkheads inside it. I didn't read the entire thread but 11" seems excessive no?

My current overflow is internal. The box is only about 4" in length from the back of the tank and it only goes down about 8" I believe so doesn't affect where fish swim too bad. Then my pipes exit the back of the tank and 90 down so you have a thin box in the tank and the tank only stick out from the wall the depth of a 90 fitting.

[Madreefer]

Originally Posted by lastlight

I didn't read the entire thread but 11" seems excessive no?

.

I should have explained better. My tank right now is 29" wide and 5 1/2" away from the wall. If I went with the 6" external overflow which would be ideal, my tank would stick out 6" more so a total of 11" from the wall.

[kien]

Originally Posted by Madreefer

I should have explained better. My tank right now is 29" wide and 5 1/2" away from the wall. If I went with the 6" external overflow which would be ideal, my tank would stick out 6" more so a total of 11" from the wall.

That sounds to me like you are wanting your overflow box itself to be 5 inches away from the wall. That seems excessive. Does your overflow box need to be that far away from the wall? All your plumbing runs down from your overflow box, not out the back of your overflow box doesn't it?

[kien]

also, why is your overflow box so wide? Is there a specific reason for such a wide overflow box? There seems like a lot of space in there to collect detritus. If you plan to cover your overflow with grates I would imagine that much overflow is going to be noisy. Imagine dozens of tiny waterfalls splashing into your overflow box. If you don't plan to cover it, imagine fishing out fish from your overflow box often Anyway, it seems to me like you could easily get away with an overflow 1/3 that size.

[Madreefer]

Originally Posted by kien

That sounds to me like you are wanting your overflow box itself to be 5 inches away from the wall. That seems excessive. Does your overflow box need to be that far away from the wall? All your plumbing runs down from your overflow box, not out the back of your overflow box doesn't it?

Well the new tank won't have to be as my Vortechs will not be on the back of the new tank which they are now. With the curved glass they can't be put on the side. But there is a power outlet right in the middle of that space. I can barely reach it now and this tank is only 57" long. But you just now got me thinking about getting a large enough hole to be made by the cabinet makers so I can access it through the back of the stand. Thanks. So 2" from the wall should be good enough? It would actually be better, than I wouldn't have to move my hanger for lights. They're lighting up my overflow now.

[Madreefer]

I'm just listening to the tank builders. I'd prefer it to be not as wide for more tank space. I think it has to do with bulkheads. I'm also getting pieces of glass or acrylic attached to the back wall to act as a shelf to place a black acrylic cover over the overflow.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by Madreefer

I'm just listening to the tank builders. I'd prefer it to be not as wide for more tank space. I think it has to do with bulkheads. I'm also getting pieces of glass or acrylic attached to the back wall to act as a shelf to place a black acrylic cover over the overflow.

if we go with a 2" bulkhead for the emergency then the overflow box width will be 6" from the back of the tank , so if your tank is 30" the overall width is now 36" , as far as spacing goes from the wall as long as your tank is level then 1/2" -1" is more than enough, you need only enough space so that the box doesnt touch when the tank settles.

if we go with 1 1/2" drains then the box can be 5" and 4" for a 1" or 3/4" bulkhead.

we dont do smaller than 4" as it becomes impossible to work in.


hth

will have those diagrams shortly for you buddy

cheers

denny

[kien]

Originally Posted by Madreefer

.. getting a large enough hole to be made by the cabinet makers so I can access it through the back of the stand.

This is a good idea. I too have an outlet right at the back of my tank and ran an extension cord through my stand and mounted a powerbar underneath my stand to plug everything into.