I am an acrylic newby with a couple Qs

[Herefishyfishy]

Is 1/4" too thin to use for a 2nd corner overflow in a 29 " tall tank?
Any reason to silicone small return bulkheads as a leak precaution?

If 1/4" is too thin, anyone have a piece of 30" X ? for sale?

 

[thatguy559]

If it's inside the tank no it will be fine as an external box maybe a little thicker

 

[Herefishyfishy]

If it's inside the tank no it will be fine as an external box maybe a little thicker

So an internal overflow perhaps 29"t x 10" x 5" notched top would handle the pressure fine?

 

[Scooterman]

Acrylic is super strong, you should be very fine in such a small tank, even if it did bow some it is very hard to break it. BH's are made to seal without silicone, even though i did that once, I'd not do it again. If you're not secure with a BH then purchase the schedule 80,'s they are super beefed up and will last.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Thanks Scott and tg. Just to make sure you understand, those dimensions are the additional overflow not the tank. The tank is 30t x 22"d x 60"l 150g with a tiny noisy overflow on one end. I am adding a larger one on the other end. I could add a long one along the backtop and connect it to the 4" x 5" 30" tall that already exists.

As to the bulkheads, they will only be 3 of them, 6-8" deep in the tank on the back and are only 3/4" units so probably fine with the cheapos and no silicone.

Been exclusively in glass tanks for 50 years (almost 40 in salt.) This is my first acrylic :>)

 

[Scooterman]

I love glass!

But that said, your limitless with acrylic! Get you some Novus!

 

[vinny2261]

Once the overflow is full ther is not that much pressure pushing in on the acyrlic. are you drilling the tank through the bottom? Why not buid a box. In larger tanks I have had problems of the acyrlic come loose from the glass if the tank has any give to it. You could also make it from glass with a piece of grate ( like the frag rack, or cieling light grate. ) siiconed to the top.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Once the overflow is full there is not that much pressure pushing in on the acyrlic.

Of Course! I didn't think it through. Sheesh, could probably be 1/8" for that matter. Thanks!

Yes, will be a box on the end or in the corner

 

[vinny2261]

but are you drilling the bottom or the back or the side? I was thinking a elevated box. this opens up a little more room in the tank instead of taking up the whole corner. Like maybe a 4x4x4 or something...

 

[WA coral]

mike I probably have enough big 3/4 acrylic if you need stronger sucks making slots but wont bust I have weldon as well and if its to glass make sure you use good sealant and make a stand pipe just at the top of the overflow so if it does let loose it dosnt drain the tank

 

[Herefishyfishy]

mike I probably have enough big 3/4 acrylic if you need stronger sucks making slots but wont bust I have weldon as well and if its to glass make sure you use good sealant and make a stand pipe just at the top of the overflow so if it does let loose it dosnt drain the tank

Thanks Andy, very generous. At this point looks like I have all I need, will see.
As to the standpipe, they are a must just for noise alone, not even considering the vital safety need.

but are you drilling the bottom or the back or the side? I was thinking a elevated box. this opens up a little more room in the tank instead of taking up the whole corner. Like maybe a 4x4x4 or something...

Since the tank is so tall, was thinking of adding the box at the top along the back, but that would look bad with the clear I am using so will probably just add the second box on the far end.

 

[vinny2261]

You can sand the acrylic to give it a "smokey" look. The Coraline algae will attach to the overflow box over time and will not be so noticeable.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Was going to drill the bottom, but can just as easily drill the back or end to save tank space.
What is the minimum box height to make a quiet durso in an attached internal box with a 1" pipe?

 

[vinny2261]

I was thinking more like an upper corner overflow box instead of a top to bottom corner overflow box with the durso drain external. I guess it depends on your space of where you are placing your tank and what you want to see.