Ive decided to drill my tank. Overflow?

Fish Styx · Feb 20, 2023

Scooter21 said:
Anything wrong with this one?

INOUT Overflow and Pulsing Return System

The INOUT from XAQUA is a super compact and easy to install overflow and a return system in one! Made out of thick molded plastic that is 100% reef safe, adding an overflow for a sump to your tank is now easier than ever! Max Flow up to 660 GPH Great for nano tanks Installs in minutes Molded...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

I use it on my display fuge. Despite the advertising, it is NOT quiet. It also only has one drain. At a minimum, you'll want to set up a herbie.

Scooter21 · Feb 20, 2023

Fish Styx said:
I use it on my display fuge. Despite the advertising, it is NOT quiet. It also only has one drain. At a minimum, you'll want to set up a herbie.

Whats a herbie?

Graemesreef · Feb 20, 2023

Scooter21 said:
Thanks! This guy understood the assignment. Explain it to me like im 5

Why do I nee multiple pipes going to the sump? Don't I just need one from the overflow and one to the return pump?

I had thought about a hang on back siphon overflow but I figured I'm going to empty the tank and remove my sand to redo my rockscape. I might as well take it in the garage and drill it at that time. Drilling it doesn't seem like a big deal to me, other than getting it empty. Drilling seems more foolproof.

You will want an emergency drain as well

Fish Styx · Feb 20, 2023

Scooter21 said:
Whats a herbie?

PotatoPig · Feb 20, 2023

Scooter21 said:
Why do I nee multiple pipes going to the sump? Don't I just need one from the overflow and one to the return pump?

You can have just one, which a lot of folks, myself included, do.

This does have a slight risk of a problem if it gets blocked… but this can be reduced by stufff like using soft plumbing (clear pvc) or avoiding right angle corners.

Adding additional drains provides redundancy, and also opens up options for drain systems that can be quieter under high flows, while having secondary drains that can periodically “correct” if the return pump is returning faster than the main drain can drain.

Tip if you have a sump - make sure the water level in the sump in use can accommodate the full siphon from the tank when you turn the pump off, and make sure the pump is in a return chamber separated from the rest of the sump by a weir. This makes it mostly failsafe against a flood if something goes wrong - a failure in the system then will only cost you a new pump, not new floors.

Dom · Feb 20, 2023

Scooter21 said:
My tank has hang on the back equipment. I've decided I'm going to get a sump, empty the tank out and drill it. I've been researching how to confirm it's not tampered, how to drill, etc. I'm going to drill the back side of the tank. What I don't really understand is what I need for an overflow. It's a box that sits inside or outside the tank. So, does it basically just cover the bulkheads? Like, I'd plumb the bulkheads to my sump and then cover those holes with the overflow?

Can someone explain this to me like im 5? I'm pretty mechanically inclined, I just need a diagram or whatever

Overflows for drilled tanks are generally 2 pieces.

After drilling for the overflow, the inner and outer portions of the overflow are held in place by placing the bulkheads.

1. So it would be interior overflow box lined up with the holes you drilled.
2. Place the bulkhead through the internal portion of the overflow.
3. Place the external portion over the bulkhead protruding out the back.
4. Apply the bulkhead nut.

Done.

legionofdoon · Feb 20, 2023

I use a beanimal set up it has 3 drains. The first one is a full siphon so no gurgling. The second one is where you set your water level in the outside box at and the third is in case of complete blockage of the first two. My second one has barely a trickle going through it untill my filter sock needs to be changed.

legionofdoon · Feb 20, 2023

Are you sure you can drill your tank and it's not tempered?

Scooter21 · Feb 20, 2023

legionofdoon said:
Are you sure you can drill your tank and it's not tempered?

I've been checking it with an lcd screen and polarized glasses. I'll try it with a few different pairs of glasses and lcd screens before I try drilling. I'm definitely well aware of what will happen if it's tempered

legionofdoon · Feb 20, 2023

Make sure the lcd screen is older and doesn't have a built in polarized filter. Try to find an old flip phone.

Scooter21 · Feb 20, 2023

legionofdoon said:
Make sure the lcd screen is older and doesn't have a built in polarized filter. Try to find an old flip phone.

That's good to know. I felt like it wasn't 100% working with my phone screen. I wanted to experiment with some known tempered glass and confirm what tempered glass looks like.

Scooter21 · Feb 22, 2023

Can you guys help me with the sump design? It's going to be 10"x12". Pretty small, which is why I didn't think I didnt ever id do one, but I can make it fit. I'm thinking it will be 4 chambers that are roughly 5"×6." I was originally thinking of converting my tank to an AIO, but this will have more sump space than that and it'll save a ton of room in the display.

I was thinking 1 chamber for: Filter sock, refugium, skimmer, and return pump.

I'll attach a picture of the cabinet it's going in to.