Dimensions of cut-out for overflow?

[rjarnold]

I have a 45G Tall (36L, 24H, 12W) tank I'm going to take in to get an overflow cut on the back side in the middle. It's just going to be a skinny rectangular area taken out of the backside middle, but I'm not sure what the dimensions should be? IE, how long/how far in from each end as well as how deep. Also, the overflow box on the backside - any suggestions on dimensions for that? I want two drains Thanks for any suggestions...have never done this so yeah, heh.
-Rachel

 

[LakeEd]

Rachel,

Depending on where/who you are taking it to, they may also have some suggestions for you... so don't hesitate in asking them!

Personally, IF I was to be in the process of adding overflows... I would like to just add teeth along the entire top back of my tank, then add an overflow box along the entire length BEHIND the tank. This would eliminate any "Box" inside the tank to have to design aquascaping around... and I could make the box on the back side as deep as I wished, adding even more volumn to my overall system.

But... ask who you are having doing the cutting, because I'm sure they are familiar with this type of addition on your size tank, and will know all the specifics for you.

More than anything, this will help "bump" your question up to the top of the listing, for more people's input.

 

[rjarnold]

Hi Ed - thanks for your reply. Sorry for not specifying, but I do plan on having the box on the outside, not inside. I don't want the teeth in it though - just one long horizontal strip cut out. The place I'm taking it to is just a regular glass cutting shop in Bellevue, so I don't know that they'd have much input on how to design overflows for aquariums

 

[rjarnold]

Unless someone else has recommendations on where to take a tank for glass cutting?

 

[LakeEd]

Being a glass tank, I wouldn't attempt teeth either. Just keep in mind, that if you have snails in your tank, they will be drawn to the top of the water, and if they are very close to the size of that slit you have cut in your glass, they may clog it. As the length gets longer, the flow-rate of water over that slit will be slowed down in any one place, and that may help.

With all of that in mind, I would probably want to have the "slit" go about 6" from each side... then have the overflow box on the back as long as possible.

Check with the glass company that you are having do this, and see if they feel that stopping the cut 6" from the end, will still leave enough stability to the glass so it wouldn't stress-crack from the cut to the edge.