How to plumb the overflow

jbassking · May 14, 2020

I have a tank with 3 holes in the overflow. From left to right - 1 1/2", 1", 1". I figured the 1 1/2" was the main drain, the 1" was the backup drain and the last 1" was the return. I was going to put a tee with a cap and an elbow on the 1 1/2" but there's not enough room for such a large elbow. Should I reduce the 1 1/2" or is there another way to use a straight pipe as a drain without all the noise?

Thanks!

gabrieltackitt · May 14, 2020

If I was you I would use the two 1” drains as a main and secondary overflow and the 1 1/2” as an emergency (bean animal style) and plumb the returns over the top

jbassking · May 14, 2020

I was just looking at a diagram of a bean animal.
If I use all 3 in the overflow how would I plumb the return? I guess I would need another hole drilled.

WvAquatics · May 14, 2020

I agree I would keep the largest for emergency extra redundancy. Yes a return need drilled or a over the back return.

jbassking · May 14, 2020

Okay, thanks guys!

gabrieltackitt · May 14, 2020

Yes, you’d have to either drill new return holes or just use some PVC elbows to go over the top lip of the tank. Over the top is Definitely easier but drilling new return holes isn’t something to be scared of either, just be sure that the glass isn’t tempered.

a4edwin · May 14, 2020

You can run a return over the top.similar to this.

gabrieltackitt · May 14, 2020

Here are a few links to posts in my build thread showing how both looked on my build, I ended up going with drilled just because I didn’t want anything going over the rim of my tank.

Build Thread - Gabe's Great 40B Build

UPDATED: June 16, 2020 Build Start: March 21, 2020 Tank Wet: April 17, 2020 BUILD TIME: 2 months, 4 weeks WET TIME: 1 month, 4 weeks TABLE OF CONTENTS: The Beginning: 2: START OF IT ALL 3: Week 1 4: Week 2 5: Overflow Plumbing 13: Return Plumbing 15: Leak Check #1 17: Planning a mobile...

www.reef2reef.com

Build Thread - Gabe's Great 40B Build

Rock is here! @uniquecorals so excited to go through them and begin aquascaping this girl.

www.reef2reef.com

I will say my only wish is that I’d drilled the return bulkhead as close to the top as possible because I feel like a lot of water drains into my sump due to how low it is right now.

WvAquatics · May 14, 2020

I agree I drilled mine just below water level it really limits my return placement to not drain too much

jbassking · May 15, 2020

Good suggestions.
My wife just asked if we can have it come up through the middle, which I guess we could but how would we hide it so it's not so noticeable? Maybe a large fake coral insert... but I'm pretty sure those are very expensive.

gabrieltackitt · May 15, 2020

jbassking said:
Good suggestions.
My wife just asked if we can have it come up through the middle, which I guess we could but how would we hide it so it's no so noticeable? Maybe a large fake coral insert... but I'm pretty sure those are very expensive.

Can you post a photo or two of the tank and current overflow, that would help is in advising you!

jbassking · May 15, 2020

I'll try and get a picture tomorrow. It's still in the garage.

Josh_boss · May 15, 2020

Maybe I can help a little. I have really bad OCD and the first reef tank I made I wanted it all symmetrical and had the same issue as you, 3 holes in the overflow box. What I did was the left hole was my 90 elbow facing down(main drain) the middle hole I drilled a hole in the center of the overflow box and ran a pvc through the center into another bulkhead on the front of the overflow box, the 3rd hole was my emergency drain with the elbow facing up. I wish I had more pictures but I could only find These that can give a general idea of how I did it. Hope this helps.