Overflows. Internal or External

[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.