Overflow Ideas

[Bill S]

If you do the foam, you could use a trash bag covered form the same size as your overflow, and then slide it over.

[Triggerman]

Thanks for all the input guys...

tex, i would definantely foam the overflows before siliconed to the aquarium. The trashbag idea seems like a pretty good idea.

Ace the columns i was thinking of having constructed would be round rather than rectangular. So I didn't know if it would cause alot of problems cutting teeth around them. 2 column would be strictly drains (left 1/3 & right 1/3 of tank), then the 1 center column would be strictly a return with directional outputs using locline along the top. My thoughts were the columns would be pretty easy to hide and make nice rock ledges and formations. I need to figure out the diameter of the cloumns maybe around 3" dia.

The island overlow box was my original plan, but they're usually pretty big and take up quite a bit of space since I would need at least 3 holes drilled. The footprint of the tank is not really that big since it's a bowfront.

Ray

[Bill S]

Ray, I'd maybe think this way: With a circular column, you have the least edge per square inch of tank you are giving up. The overflow needs a lot of "coastline", and you would maximize this with a long skinny rectangle. No reason to not have your returns coming back up thru the same column?

Another thought. How about a centerline calfo - in the middle of the tank. Just the top 3". Connect it to the bottom of the tank with 2 drain columns and 2 return columns. It's much easier to hide 3 or 4 1-1/2 inch columns to the top, than it is a big cylinder. BTW, I prefer 2 drains for reduncancy - it's easy to clog a single drain and overflow your tank. Here's a really lousy drawing: