Questions on designing an overflow

[DrewBR]

Hey everyone,

I'm moving into a new custom project and I have some questions about how to design de overflow.

The tank will be 125cm x 55cm x 55cm (49 inches x 21 in. x 21in aproximately). About 100G on the display.

The system will be a Bean animal since I need to be quiet and reliable.

At first I thought I could make it internal, having a weir in an inside tower. However since the stand has suports around the corners the tower itself would have to be around 6 inches to make up for the supports while keeping a good space for the plumbing. Am I overthinking this? Could I cut a groove into the suport to make the profile smaller?

Also I can't seem to find a consistent source on how large the pipes should be and how they should be spaced.

 

[MnFish1]

Without a picture - its hard to exactly (for me) - tell what you're actually thinking. I believe that you can have custom overflows made - if that helps.

 

[Super Fly]

check out this build, using synergy overflow and is dead silent...
watch video in post #54 of thread

Build Thread - Benapilot's SCA 150 Upgrade

Measure twice, cut once! :p Haha a skill I am still working on...!

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Montiman]

I will try to answer your questions 1 at a time.

Can I have an Internal Weir?
Yes as long as you have 3 holes for drains inside the weir box you can do it. You may want more if you want your returns going through the box as well.

Where should I put the Overflow?
Anywhere you want. if you have braces below that are in the way you can move the weir to where the drains won't interfere with bracing.

Can I Drill/Cut through the stand Brace?
Maybe. I have done this many times but it completely depends on your stand design. I would get the ok from the builder/manufacture before I drilled or cut through them.

What size should the pipes be?
The pipe size is purely a matter of how much flow you are needing but I would never go smaller than 1in pipe as anything smaller clogs very easily. I don't see a need to go larger than 1in in a tank your size so I would do 3 1in drains.

 

[DrewBR]

I will try to answer your questions 1 at a time.

Can I have an Internal Weir?
Yes as long as you have 3 holes for drains inside the weir box you can do it. You may want more if you want your returns going through the box as well.

Where should I put the Overflow?
Anywhere you want. if you have braces below that are in the way you can move the weir to where the drains won't interfere with bracing.

Can I Drill/Cut through the stand Brace?
Maybe. I have done this many times but it completely depends on your stand design. I would get the ok from the builder/manufacture before I drilled or cut through them.

What size should the pipes be?
The pipe size is purely a matter of how much flow you are needing but I would never go smaller than 1in pipe as anything smaller clogs very easily. I don't see a need to go larger than 1in in a tank your size so I would do 3 1in drains.

Thanks for the quick reply. This helps a lot.

The thing about this aquarium is that I have been building the things myself. I'm sorry I wasn't very clear. And the stand doesn't have braces, just 2 inch thick pannels.

Here is a picture. White is existing, red is a center and bottom brace I might add to even out weight distribution. Blue is where I would cut.

 

[Montiman]

I don't think you would have any problem cutting through the sides. If the sides are 2in thick then they should support plenty of weight.

 

[DrewBR]

I don't think you would have any problem cutting through the sides. If the sides are 2in thick then they should support plenty of weight.

And what about the glass over the gap? Wouldn't that be prone to breaking?

 

[theMeat]

Get a ghost overflow like a synergy, plan from there

 

[DrewBR]

Get a ghost overflow like a synergy, plan from there

You might not have seen my location but that is defenetly not an option here. I'll have to make it myself or have someone make it locally.