Overflow Debate

[ETBReefer05]

I'm going to be setting up my 65 gallon tank in the next few days, but I would like some opinions on the subject of my overflow. Even if we've discussed this over chat or in person before, I'd like to hear what you have to say. I'm doing a DIY overflow made of acrylic and it will be Megaflow style (from the bottom of the tank to just above the bottom of the top bracing. The debate right now is if I should do two corner overflows, sacrificing room visually, OR one larger corner overflow. The dual overflows would be about 4"x4" and the single would be 8x4" Technically they will take up the same amount of room, but visually, I think there will be a difference. Lets here some opinions!

[Tom@HaslettMI]

If one fails or gets plugged than you'll have a backup... + what chort55 said.

Tom

[XSiVE]

one overflow, possibly center offset, two drains in it for the redundancy factor.

[SaltCreeps]

personally i like lots of rock in my tanks so i would put it in the center and go down to 3x10x3 if you can for the bulk heads. if you are trying to have a large open area then i would go with one large corner overflow and put it to the most unimportant side, returns more to the opposite side. so i guess what are you doing with your lr.

[ETBReefer05]

Gonna do two islands or two mini coves, either way the basic design is two piles of rock with negative space between.

[Wy Renegade]

I vote two; my RR 65 has only a single overflow, which makes the flow of water all one way. I would think you would get better circulation/flow with a drain on by sides. Just my $.02 worth

Now I have a question for you - were do you go for chat? It always used to be at the top of the page, but I haven't seen it since I've been back. TIA

[John]

On mine I went with the Dual Corner Overflows. I like it.

It has Technically 4 Islands of rock. But it looks more like 3 the way I scaped it.

It shouldn't matter too much where you put the overflow/s but I didn't want an overflow to be the centerpiece of my aquarium.

[AZDesertRat]

I love my center offset overflow.

[Tank102a]

"coast to coast" overfolow.
1. Most top skimming.
2. Can have two (or three LOL) drains for redundancy.
3. Looks cool :cool:

[Poseidon]

How about one of these?

YouTube - Overflow.avi

Only requires 2 holes and some PVC....

[Poseidon]

Yup, it sure is. Run a piece of 1" down a table saw a couple times and I think that is it. Really simple, really clean, and can't be plugged by a couple of snails, or even a dead fish.

[ETBReefer05]

I like the idea a lot, anyway to control noise that you could think of? The tank will be in my living room and the durso would eliminate slurping.

[Poseidon]

You could still do the Durso, it would be external though.

[ETBReefer05]

Gotcha, alright Mike, I think I'll try this...just gotta figure out what PVC elbows this guy used...

[Sir Patrick]

^ Do it!! That PVC overflow looks awsome!

[Tank102a]

Looks real cool

[Steven Pro]

"coast to coast" overfolow.
1. Most top skimming.
2. Can have two (or three LOL) drains for redundancy.
3. Looks cool :cool:

That gets my vote.

[ETBReefer05]

Basically, I've decided he used threaded PVC with threaded bulkheads. I commented on the video and he told me he used 1 1/2" with one 90 and one 45 on each end, if I use threaded PVC, the Overflow wouldn't stick out much from the back glass, and if I used dual external dursos, it will eliminate the slurping noises. +1 Poseidon (Once again).

[Poseidon]

I think you can get it even closer to the tank with "street" elbows Eric. Check those out at Lowes...

[AZDesertRat]

I use street els on my tank and they do save room. You can even get them in black HDPE in the sprinkler aisle which is nice if they are going to be inside the tank or seen for any reason.

[cephalotus]

Tagging along on this one. That overflow looks very interesting.

[Sir Patrick]

Updates on this overflow????