I ordered a small tank. Rimless 36 x 18 x 16 with starfire front panel. Not much larger than what I have now, but a much better footprint and....a system with a sump! Skimmer is in hand, but need a sump, plumbing, and a return. Will be using my maxspect LED for the short term. Not sure what I'll to for lighting.
I ordered it from a small shop near my office. I think it's getting made by aquatic america or something like that.
Originally Posted by Sir Patrick
If ya need help w/ the plumbing- Give me a shout!
I just may take you up on that offer, Chris. With the second expected between now and the 10th, I'll likely need a little assistance. The 10th is the scheduled C-section if he decides to stay in his nice warm home until then.
So I'm stumped a bit on the matter of an overflow. Keeping it quiet is a MUST for this tank. It's going in our living room and we have no tolerance for excessive waterfall sounds. I was thinking glass-holes may be the way to go for 3 reasons.
1. Only need to drill one hole.
2. They are claimed to be quiet.
3. It's a slim overflow that won't consume much of the footprint.
What worries me about the glass-holes is that there is no redundant overflow in the event of a clog which means a far greater potential for a tank overflow and that's not acceptable. So, that has brought me to the following options.
1. BeanAnimal style - There is an enormous thread on RC about this type of overflow. I really like the idea. It would require that I drill at a minimum of 3 holes, but would likely be 5 so I can have a return at each end of the tank. My only reservation outside of drilling 5 holes in a nice new tank is the space it would take up in the display. Remember, I'm only 36 x 18 x 16 so this style, assuming I did a 24" long internal overflow box, would consume a decent amount of space in the display. I would make it 24" x 4" x 4". While it is likely the most safe way to go, I'm not so sure that it will allow me to maintain the super clean look I'm shooting for with this tank.
2. Modified Herbie - Assuming that I don't drill the bottom of the tank, I have considered drilling 2 holes on one end of the rear panel of the tank; one low and one high. This would allow me to hide it with a piece of glass painted black on the inside of the overflow creating a corner overflow much like would be seen in a tank with a drilled bottom. Then, I would drill at least one other hole for the return. The drawback here is that the overflow would have no teeth and would need to be covered with acrylic with teeth cut into it.
3. Drill 2 holes side by side and put in a 4" x 4" box into the tank, likely on one end of the rear panel, thereby creating another "modified herbie" style overflow. Then, I would drill at least one other hole for the return. Again however I think this takes away from the "clean" look I'm going for.
So, considering the 4 options I'm contemplating, I'm looking for some opinions of more experienced reefers out there before I start drilling holes in my new tank.
I like the dimensions of your tank. If it's not too late, have the back of the tank notched for an external overflow and do a BeanAnimal. (that also is assuming you have enough room behind the tank.) That way you don't give up any internal space and still get all the benefits.
The BA delivers exactly what your looking for - dead silence with absolute safety.
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man. - George Bernard Shaw
Thanks, Tom. I have been considering what you recommend. I was not happy about the cost from my tank builder to do it though. I'm going to call a glass shop that we do work with to see if they are willing to do that for me. I agree, it's the best way to do what I want to do. Plus, we do a ton of business with this particular shop, so they may simply take care of me and charge me cost only, which would be sweet if they're willing to do what I need done.
Glad you are going with that overflow! I've seen and heard the bean and its quiet. Talk to TM01 aka Todd. His overflow he modded is the quietest I've ever heard. Todd is always willing to help out with great ideas/help.
Stopped into Petco today for the $ / Gal sale and picked up a 10 gal to practice drilling on, a 20 H for my sump and another 40B in case I screw up the nice rimless I ordered.
Speaking of sumps, am I off in getting the 20H? Would I be better taking it back and getting a 20L?
Hi my name is Larry and I'm a coral addict!
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Originally Posted by larryandlaura
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