Looking over the cost of building an in tank overflow or an over the top overflow they seem comparable. Is there an advantage to using one over the other? I have a 65 gallon acrylic tank so drilling is not an issue.
Second if I decided to go with an in tank overflow does it matter if I come through the side the tank or through the bottom? Any issues besides cosmetic?
WELCOME TO TR!!!
Coming through the side of the tank will most likely be a whole lot easier and safer b/c the bottoms of fish tanks are usually tempered glass. Good luck, if you decide to drill you tank (go slow) or have someone do it for you.
I've worked with Acrylic aquariums exclusively since 1974 and have drilled hundreds of them. There is an advantage to installing an internal overflow as opposed to over the top. Over the tops can break siphon and they inevitably do it when your gone. You can experience a flood when that happens and of course things go down hill after that.
An internal overflow doesn't operate using a siphon so no problem. If you lose power the pump shuts off and the tank drains to the level of the lowest slot in your overflow. Assuming you calculated the amount of water that will flow into your sump isn't enough to overflow the sump you'll be OK.
Drilling the bottom or the back is a matter of choice and stand design and location of the aquarium. Drilling the back, you have to make sure you have room for the fittings sticking out the back. There will be the bulkhead and some sort of 90 degree elbow sticking out.
Hope this helps.
Dick
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
Those are good points Dick. I got a question though, I aside from the space behind the tank, what do you think of the idea of gluing a box to the back of an acrylic tank and overflowing into it? Check out the plumb on the tank on this site, I'm thinking about trying something similar.
I personally think you will be happier if you drill threw the back for the overflow, this will give you more room for you livestock and look cleaner from the inside. Like Dick said you will have to leave space behind the aquarium for the pipe and for you to access if you need to. The nautilus set up looks sweet. Another bennefit of acrylic is that you can have your returns come from the bottom and from the back ( just make sure you place shutoff valve so you can adjust the flow.
Thanks everyone for the quick reply. John I really like the design for the outside acrylic box with a slot feed on the top of the tank. This is the route I am going to take. The through the side return lines is a nice touch as well. I will let you know how it turns out.
to Talking Reef Community and Podcast, Darkside!
Linear Mode
