Tank build

[JonPhillips]

I am building a tank. 6ft long, 2ft wide, and 18 inches high. I want to plumb my filtration up from the bottom and avoid anything hanging from the back. Going for a minimalist look. In your opinion, is this possible and/or advisable? Thanks in advance!

 

[Irsug1]

Yes , most RR (reef ready ) tanks with built-in overflows are drilled in the bottom and appear minimalist.

 

[JonPhillips]

So I will need an overflow in the back, or can I just have both my input and output submerged through the bottom?

 

[Fin]

You can have an internal overflow (or overflows) and drill your drain(s) and return(s) from the bottom, inside of the overflow box. No need to have anything on the back of the tank, if you don't want anything behind the aquarium.

But, it you are thinking minimal visual impact from the inside of the tank, look into the Synergy Overflow. Very small weir on the inside of the tank and a box on the back of the tank.

 

[JonPhillips]

I guess I am confused as to why I must have an overflow at all. Can't I just have my intake plumbed up from the bottom on side (sucking water in) and my return (pumping water back in) on the opposite side of the tank? Thanks for reply!

 

[Fin]

I guess I am confused as to why I must have an overflow at all. Can't I just have my intake plumbed up from the bottom on side (sucking water in) and my return (pumping water back in) on the opposite side of the tank? Thanks for reply!

You can do that, but I haven't really seen that done for the last 15-20 years. It is not the most aesthetically pleasing thing to look at and the drains can be loud (the sucking that you mentioned). Internal overflow boxes can hide all the plumbing and some can safely draw water from different levels of the tank. But, the display tank at my favorite old LFS was plumbed just this way. The drain was about a 1.5" PVC standpipe with one of these types of adapters on top. I borrowed these pics from someone on another forum to show you what the drain looked like.

 

[JonPhillips]

Nice! I was thinking just straight PVC with lots of small holes drilled in it for the intake and PVC with directional head attached for return. Thoughts on that? The tank is only going to be 18 inches deep, but 6 feet long. Maybe a powerhead in the middle to create flow? Thanks dudes!