Overflow location recommendations?

[jgvergo]

Hi, I'm new to reef tanks and I'm planning my first tank. I have settled on a 48x24x17 tank and I'm looking for recommendations on how many overflows to have and where to locate it (them). Thanks in advance!

Thanks,
John

 

[thehammer1985]

All the way across the back of the tank look up bean animal overflow it's quiet and fail proof

 

[jgvergo]

Thanks Hammer. I read about the bean animal and it looks like it is a great combination of fail safe, quiet and "set and forget". However, I was planning on using an internal overflow box with holes drilled in the bottom of the tank. Every bean animal setup I saw used an external overflow box. I don't see any theoretical reason why the box needs to be external. Am I missing something?

 

[thehammer1985]

Yep I understand and I dint want it external either . You can do it internal with its the exact same thing except you don't run bulkheads to an outside over flow or cut the top down instead you build an overflow internally I'll attach a link in a little while here

 

[thehammer1985]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sou...fEmPo_ZS8aMrTPUDeQ&ust=1439868513595789&rct=j

 

[sromero287]

The reason why majority of reefers we prefer the overflow external is because:
1) wayyyy better flow around the tank with no dead spots
2)wayyyy more space for aquascaping or just a clean look overall
3)overflow boxes internal needs wayyyy to much maintenance cause they are nitrates perfect spots, just in between the return and drain tubes u will accumulate tons of detritus.
4)With the new overflow boxes low profile from bean animal and the back wall painted black people wont even notice about the overflow.
5) wayyyy more safe a hole in the wall in the upper glass than in the bottom.

Any case good luck and happy reefing!!!

 

[jgvergo]

Simon, great points! My only question is why there is less maintenance. Is this really the case? If I go with an external, I will have to give up a few gallons in the display tank. I'm willing to do that, but I want to be sure it's really less maintenance

 

[thehammer1985]

I agree with Simon whole heartedly . However I was in the same boat except my reasoning was sitting close to a wall. And I can tell you I love my internal bean and I cladded the glass with black acrylic itworks perfectly and the amount of flow going through it I rarely get any build up

 

[TaylorPilot]

Although I am a little biased, I think the external box is really the way to go. It is amazing how much bigger a tank looks when you remove the large overflows. Corner ones are even worse, because you can see into the overflow from the side of the tank. The middle located ones are hard to clean out, when the detritus settles in the middle. Plus, like was said before, they create dead spots where the detritus can settle on your substrate easier. Then that has to be constantly removed or stirred around. Having to set the tank away from the wall is probably a good practice either way. You really don't want it right up next to the wall. It makes it impossible to service anything on the back of the tank, and you will probably run your return lines back behind the tank. Most of the Reef-Ready tanks are only drilled with two lines, and you will definitely want to go with a Herbie atleast. That leave no lines for your return, so you have to route them behind the tank and over the top. That is going to be a neat size. Is the tank going to be rimless? Why do you have to get a smaller display if you get an external overflow?

 

[jgvergo]

TaylorPilot, I have to admit that I do NOT lke the way internal overflows look, so I'm very inclined to go with your suggestion. Since I can only go 24 inches from the wall, I will need to reduce the width of the tank by however much the external overflow extends beyond the back of the tank. The whole project is part of a kitchen remodel and the 24 inch limit is important for marital harmony . I do plan to use the beananimal approach. Do you have a specific overflow that you recommend? I am sooooo jazzed with this project. I'm a addicted to it, and I'm only in the planning stage

 

[TaylorPilot]

Ok, well if it can only stick so far out, honestly I may go with a internal box. Although if you want my opinion on external overflow boxes, I'd say mine are pretty nice. LOL

I would use a center mounted trapezoidal shaped box with 4 holes drilled through the bottom. The trapezoid shape will cut down, if not eliminate the dead spots in the corners, because water can travel around it better. 2 for 1.5" bulkheads in the center (widest part of box) for your open and emergency drain with either a stockman or durso on the open channel. I usually just leave the siphon with nothing on it, so it draws from the very bottom of the box. You can just open the valve a little every week so that the water level lowers in the overflow box, stirring the bottom and cleaning out any settled detritus. Then I would put two 1" drains on either side. One for your full siphon, and the other for your return. Looking at the aquarium from the front, I would have the return on the left side, going up and over the top of the box. The emergency right next to it with a straight pipe vertical pipe. 3rd would be the open channel with the durso turned to the right, so it is over the siphon line. Finally the siphon line on the far right without any plumbing in the bulkhead. This will give you the tightest configuration so that you can make the box as small as possible (consult builder for minimum distance between holes). Figure out your hole spacing for the bulkheads, then design the box around them. That will allow you to have the largest system possible, because you can push it up closer to the wall. I would have them build it with slots like the ones I build on my overflow systems instead of normal teeth. It will perform better, be easier to clean, and be quieter for a given flow. HTH

 

[jgvergo]

Well, I read your literature and I really like your product. I was strongly considering it...until I saw that the depth of the external box is 6.25", which just won't work for me. Darn.

 

[TaylorPilot]

Yea, the larger box performs better, but it does have a downside that you have to move the tank off the wall an extra inch or so.

 

[Rose's_Reef]

The reason why majority of reefers we prefer the overflow external is because:
1) wayyyy better flow around the tank with no dead spots
2)wayyyy more space for aquascaping or just a clean look overall
3)overflow boxes internal needs wayyyy to much maintenance cause they are nitrates perfect spots, just in between the return and drain tubes u will accumulate tons of detritus.
4)With the new overflow boxes low profile from bean animal and the back wall painted black people wont even notice about the overflow.
5) wayyyy more safe a hole in the wall in the upper glass than in the bottom.

Any case good luck and happy reefing!!!

Okay that's good because I just got a 65 gal tank and noticed the bottom has a safety glass sticker. I already fell in live with the low profile figi cube anyway. I'm gonna drill a hole today!