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pigpen

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Joined
Sep 19, 2007
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15
O.K. so like many others, I am moving up from my 45 gal corner to a used 60ga acrylic tank and a small sump. My problem is they werent plumbed together so I am trying to figure out my plumbing. I thought about using the hurricane overflows that I have seen here, but have also thought about an internal overflow. I have no problems drilling the tank, but I was thinking about going out the back as opposed to going full length out the bottom with a durso pipe (less space to lose). However I have looked all over the net and through our many sponsors but can't seem to find any precut acrylic (lexan??) boxes. I have probably just overlooked them. Or do I need to make it myself, but I see some have had problems cutting it without breaking it.
Thanks
 
Most won't have pre-made inside tank over flow boxes. (assuming I understand this correctly. You're trying to turn a normal acrylic tank in to a reef ready with internal over flow.) I'm sure if you gave Jason at Clear Fabrications the size etc of what you want he'd be more than happy to make something for you.

Trido had one but it's sold/gone already.

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32251
 
James thanks for the reply, does this mean that if it didnt come reef ready that everyones is a custom made? there isnt anything prefab to use? I am trying to keep this simple. Thanks again
 
Pigpen,

I am just starting my first saltwater project and I have been thinking about drilling my 90 gallon acrylic tank. Did you ever find a pre-made overflow for your tank?

Thanks,
Brian
 
I have drilled both the back and the bottom of the tank. I perfer drilling the back at the top where I want the water to over flow if you have enough space behind the tank. This also lets you put your U or P-Trap in the line behind the tank to cut down on the noise.

One major reason for drilling here (without overflow boxes installed) is that if the bulkhead ever does leak you only lose a gallon or two of water. Where if the bulkhead is in the bottom of the tank, under the rocks and sand, leaks you can lose all the water. Then still have to rip everything out to fix it which could turn into an all day project if not kill everything in your tank if you are away when it starts to leak.

On my new 630 that I am designing with a closed loop I will put in a overflow box but I will have it 1 1/2" to 2" lower then the sump overflows. This too incase the bulkkhead leaks the water does not go down to the level of the closed loop bulkhead. The reason the overflow for the CL is lower is so it does not hurt the flow of the supply to the CL pump.

Hope this helps you guys out.
 

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