Questioning plumbing kit for ghost overflow

[VintageReefer]

Hello, I have a custom tank company offering a 83g aquarium with a ghost overflow, stand, sump, and ato container.

I have not had ghost overflows before, so I asked about a plumbing kit. They said they can provide one and gave me pictures. This doesn’t seem correct to me, but I’ve never had a ghost overflow before.

Can anyone review these pictures and tell me if this would work? I don’t think the two straight pipes inside the overflow itself seem correct

With the pictures they mentioned:

The third overflow bulkhead is used in some cases if you want an additional safety overflow. Most people don’t use it. The pump return line goes through the back of the stand via bulkhead which is not pictured.

 

[ryanjohn1]

It will work. I think it will make gurgling noises

 

[VintageReefer]

Bump
Should the main and overflow be same height ?

 

[mfinn]

Looks like it would work just fine. Like a Herbie drain.
I would make the 2 different stand pipes a different height. You will have to figure just how low in the outside box you want the main drain to be. You will have to balance the height vs the noise level from the water dropping out of the bulkheads.
Are they going to drill and install the overflow boxes?
I know eshopps sells kits that you have to drill, but they make it pretty simple with everything included.

Looking again I see 3 drains in the overflow box.
This would be a bean animal style drain system.
Ask them if they provide 3 drain lines, valves needed and all the fittings.

I don't know about what they say is an additional safety drain line. One is plenty.


My other concern is the inside part of the overflow box.
Is it the one that the front part of the box detaches for cleaning?

 

[VintageReefer]

They will drill and install everything
While the overflow is designed for bean animal they said they provide the plumbing shown, and the third bulkhead will come with a plug.

They will also include lock line for the return. They are trying to upsell me on a return pump and return tubing but I haven’t got a price yet for that addition I’m not sure if the inside portion of the overflow box detached for cleaning. I can ask

 

[mfinn]

They will drill and install everything
While the overflow is designed for bean animal they said they provide the plumbing shown, and the third bulkhead will come with a plug.

They will also include lock line for the return. They are trying to upsell me on a return pump and return tubing but I haven’t got a price yet for that addition I’m not sure if the inside portion of the overflow box detached for cleaning. I can ask

Resist the up sell, unless the parts are something you would want to use on this system, and they give you a better price than you can find it elsewhere.
Don't lower your specs on the pump, even if it is a deal.

 

[KStatefan]

I do not like how much lower the outside box is from the rim of the tank. It looks like it could be noisy from the inside box but I can not tell where the water level will be from that picture.

 

[VintageReefer]

I would resist any actual equipment.

It appears the inner box is mounted nearly at the surface of the rimless tank. The outer box i guess matches up the way it’s designed.

The offer on the tank is a steal. But only if it works and is quiet. I don’t have time these days to be fiddling and tweaking and fabricating solutions. I need turnkey ready to go.

I do not like how much lower the outside box is from the rim of the tank. It looks like it could be noisy from the inside box but I can not tell where the water level will be from that picture.

 

[dadnjesse]

Why not just plumb it as a Bean Animal, thats what it is, a drain, overflow and an emergency drain. If you can do the Pvc work yourself it shoud be cheaper.

 

[VintageReefer]

Well they gave me a shipped price on tank, custom built stand, glass sump, 9g acrylic ato, and the ghost over flow installed.

The price is good. Then I asked about the plumbing. They said it would be an extra charge then came back with these photos and said if I make the order they will provide and install the plumbing. Issue is the cabinet they built only has a small cut out for plumbing, seems only two pipes can fit through. They state the return pump pipe goes through a non pictured bulkhead in the back of the cabinet.

I could buy as is, take what’s included and cut the notch bigger and buy the extra pvc….
Or
I’d prefer to push back and have them plumb it different and let them deal with it. Just not sure what to tell them to do

 

[mfinn]

What pump and how much?

 

[VintageReefer]

I’m being offered the setup shipped for $1250 + tax

It’s 80+ gallons, glass sump, acrylic ato, cabinet and plumbing shown

I don’t have a price on the return pump, I just asked and waiting reply

 

[VintageReefer]

They offered me the largest of the eflux dc pumps 3170 GPH for $175.00

This retails for 250$

They also tell me The two overflow pipes are not the same height. One of them sits a little lower than the other. The third hole was for people who felt it might be necessary to have an additional safety pipe. We ran this identical system for well over a year and it works perfectly and is super quiet

 

[Tenecor Aquariums]

That stand looks like particle board. Won't make it one year without puckering.

 

[VintageReefer]

That stand looks like particle board. Won't make it one year without puckering.

It’s not particle board. It’s custom made in California from marine grade plywood covered with waterproof faux wood grain laminate

They modified the overflow also and tested the setup with no issues

Oh and by “they” I mean Current USA - the tank is custom built and designed by Current USA and they hired a local cabinet maker to build the stand