Can't Drill, now what?

[GregAW]

Well, I was going to drill the back of my DT this summer but after doing all the tests I could find, I find out that all the glass is tempered so drilling is out. Now I need to find another way to install and use larger overflow plumbing to feed the sump. I have an undersize CPR overflow box and would like to get away from that all together. The flow just isn't enough. Anyone out there have some super ideas for me? My pump will do 900 gph for return. Thanks in advance.

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

How about the sides or the bottom? Could you flip the tank and drill the front? What size tank is it?

 

[GregAW]

I sure wish I could. The tank is a bow front and the glass has been bent with the corners and ends included as one piece. The bottom and back are both tempered. 100 Gallon bow front that is 48" long, 18" wide and 24" deep.

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

You may just need to go with another overflow box, or a new tank then.

 

[Loki]

Just to make sure. Every piece of glass is tempered? I'm surprised that a tank that big would be all tempered. What is the thickness of the glass? I can't think of another way other than an overflow. Maybe get two of them? I know it's not ideal but it may have to be done. Oh and your return pump is rated for 900gph? If so it will put out less water. I have a mag 18 and its supposed to out out 1800 and I would guess that once its all said and done I have about 800-1000 gph out of it.

 

[GregAW]

Oh, the pump is rated at 1200 gph but after taking into account the height it has to pump, the head pressure then drops to the 900 gph. so it's really close. I have a ball valve on it and it's having to run at 1/2 to 3/4 closed right now otherwise it runs dry.

 

[gmoney243]

You can make a pvc overflow. I used one on my old 150 for about a year never fails no need to re-syphon. Paint it blAck and you'll never even notice. My 1.5" pvc one I made handeled my mag9.5 like a champ

Sent from my Vortex using Tapatalk 2

 

[GregAW]

I just got back from Lowe's and picked up the parts to build one overflow out of 1 1/4" PVC pipe. I guess I'll see how that goes.

 

[Kevin Kolinen]

Can I ask the brand of your bow front? I had a 46 g bow( aga brand) I drilled the back for return, drain, and 2 more holes for added flow by a recirculating system...no prob at all...I noticed you said the front corners are rounded into the sides so it may not be the same manufacturer as mine...

 

[GregAW]

Can I ask the brand of your bow front? I had a 46 g bow( aga brand) I drilled the back for return, drain, and 2 more holes for added flow by a recirculating system...no prob at all...I noticed you said the front corners are rounded into the sides so it may not be the same manufacturer as mine...

To tell you the truth I have no idea who made the tank. I know that after looking at the glass with polarized lenses you could see the streaks in the glass like you see on car windows, meaning that it's all tempered. It's suppose to be a 92 gallon tank, bow front. Here's a photo of the front corner. You can see that the front and side glass is all one piece.

 

[Steven R]

why don't you lower the overflow grate some more so it is just pulling in more water? And that is a mainland I have the same one..

 

[GregAW]

The overflow box is as low as it will go. This was or is an Odesea tank as far as I can tell.

 

[GregAW]

I made a mistake. The Hood is Odesea. I'm not sure what the tank maker is.

 

[Steven R]

ahh I see Well I guess your only option is a bigger overflow..

 

[adamfinke]

You should check out Lifereef.com Jeff won't steer you wrong. I have his overflow on my 90 and never had a problem always restarts and pretty darn quite.

 

[denrobare]

Overflow

Overflow Box

I just recently (April) bought the larger and it has no issues. Also using the 1000 gph pump they have. Can't beat the prices. The pump is a beast too.

 

[GregAW]

Overflow Box

I just recently (April) bought the larger and it has no issues. Also using the 1000 gph pump they have. Can't beat the prices. The pump is a beast too.

How much room is needed behind the tank? Looks like a nice overflow box and the price is great! $49.90? Am I reading that right? What pump did you get?

 

[watty89]

well the thing to remeber is that manufactures are extremly proud of there products so jsut like a skimmer you need to oversize and also not only head pressure but there folw is rated for x pressure at no incline on x size pipe so you take into that your are prob. runnig larger pipe that doesnt mean that your getting more flow just lower pressure which helps take care of the head pressure but when you have to close the valve 3/4 closed i would reccomend downsizing pipe so that you dont have this proplem i have 3/4 pipe and mine is flowing 800gph by a flow meter not my math and as far as your tank goes an overflow is the only way and if you cant find one that you dont like building one out of acyrlic is very easy and preety cheap

 

[GregAW]

Well, Inorder to make this change I'll have to re-aquascape the tank at least in that corner. What problems will I run into, having fish and some corals in there? I would also like to foam some rocks together, shold I epoxy them before putting them into the tank?

 

[denrobare]

I have the larger of the two. It needs about 6" behind the tank, the only drawback I can see with it. It should be used with an air pump, but that's pretty standard for the non-tube overflows from what I have researched.

I am using the larger pump they sell, it really pushes the water well and is pretty quiet.

The price is right. Both for under $100.