Converting Reef Tank to paludarium

[navidreef]

Hello,

Im trying to lower my water level in my reef tank to create a paludarium. There is an internal overflow box (tanks drilled at the bottom). My questions is what is involved in lowering the water level to about half the tank?

 

[littlefishy]

Cutting multiple holes halfway down the box? Maybe remove the box if you can and get the bottom cut down to lower the overflow level where you want then re-install.

 

[navidreef]

I tried drilling a few holes at a lower portion of the box . But the water just goes passed it amd fills up . Maybe cut the overflow box in half?

 

[littlefishy]

Does the overflow box go all the way to the bottom, old style? They can usually be removed as they may be siliconed in place and the bottom cut down, allowing you to lower the factory weir (sp?) to your desired depth and getting rid of the holes you've cut.
Is this a saltwater palladium? What does that look like?

 

[littlefishy]

Is this a glass tank?

 

[navidreef]

Is this a glass tank?

 

[navidreef]

Is this a glass tank?

Yes I think

 

[littlefishy]

I think that box is pbly siliconed in and can be removed and cut down, especially if the box is acrylic.
Is this sw palladium going to be a mangrove biotope?

 

[Brett S]

I tried drilling a few holes at a lower portion of the box . But the water just goes passed it amd fills up . Maybe cut the overflow box in half?

If these are the holes you drilled, then you need far more holes than that. A few little holes like that just won’t allow enough water through. Look at the teeth at the top of the overflow and try to replicate that below where you want the water level to be. But you’ll need much more than just a couple of little holes.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Make sure the holes go all the way through. My overflow is double walled, and the water level is set by the height of the internal wall, not the outerwall, if the flow though the lower parts is sufficient.

Here's a top down view of the sort of internal wall I mean that someone else shot:

New to drilled tanks...

My first go-round with reef tanks ended about 10 years ago. I had a 90 gallon acrylic tank with an internal filter/overflow arrangement (i.e., not drilled and no sump). Fast forward to today, and I'm starting a 135 gallon glass tank that is drilled. Even though I've done this before, the...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[navidreef]

Make sure the holes go all the way through. My overflow is double walled, and the water level is set by the height of the internal wall, not the outerwall, if the flow though the lower parts is sufficient.

Here's a top down view of the sort of internal wall I mean that someone else shot:

New to drilled tanks...

My first go-round with reef tanks ended about 10 years ago. I had a 90 gallon acrylic tank with an internal filter/overflow arrangement (i.e., not drilled and no sump). Fast forward to today, and I'm starting a 135 gallon glass tank that is drilled. Even though I've done this before, the...

www.reef2reef.com

I think i'll use a saw to cut both overflow boxes (external and internal) to a lower height. Then lower the Standpipe to just the below the new shorter height (Maybe couple inches below the new overflow box) and also lower the standpipe for the return line as well . what do you thiink?

 

[fish farmer]

I think i'll use a saw to cut both overflow boxes (external and internal) to a lower height. Then lower the Standpipe to just the below the new shorter height (Maybe couple inches below the new overflow box) and also lower the standpipe for the return line as well . what do you thiink?

That's what you have to do because the outer wall flow goes over the inner wall or drill all the way through. I chopped my 65 gallon down to 8" for a similar project and then just put in a shorter standpipe.

 

[navidreef]

So just to clarify it’s not the height of the standpipe that determines the height of the water level but rather the internal flow box correct ?

 

[Brett S]

So just to clarify it’s not the height of the standpipe that determines the height of the water level but rather the internal flow box correct ?

The water level could be determined by either of those, based on which is higher. If the overflow box is higher than the standpipe, then the water level will be determined by the hight of the overflow box. If the standpipe is higher (unlikely, since then it would be sticking out of the top of the overflow box) then the water level would be determined by the standpipe height.

 

[navidreef]

Thank you so basically I need to do 3 things:

a. Cut the overflow boxes to desired height
b. Cut standpipe 1 or 2” lower than newly cut box
c. Also lower return line 1 or 2” below newly cut box as well

correct ?

 

[littlefishy]

Sounds correct. Maybe do a sketch of your understanding from the replies before you do it to get it absolutely right, then cut away

 

[ReefHog]

A Dremel tool works great for this type of work. Just temporary lower water level a few inches lower than your final water level will be. You can also cut slots with the Dremel. And the plastic shavings will float and can be scooped with a net when finished.

 

[navidreef]

Thank you guys see picture