75g for $75? I'm starting a saltwater tank! Help regarding overflows...

[standardbyker63]

I've been wanting to upgrade to a larger tank for quite some time now. I currently have a 29 gallon freshwater that's been established for about 2 1/2 years and I've recently gotten an itch for saltwater. The LFS had a 75g Marineland tank brand new for $75 so I snatched it up right away. I really wanted the 120g reef ready used tank that included all the equipment, including a sump and beautiful cherry stand and hood, but didn't feel like scraping my pockets clean for $950. But I just couldn't pass up a brand new 75g for $75. I figure I'll can work with that for quite some time.

My question comes in the form of "What are my options for an overflow?" The bottom piece of glass is tempered, so that eliminates drilling the bottom for a drain. The LFS sells the typical acrylic/plastic HOB overflow box. I believe they are 1" diameter tubing. If I go that route, would I benefit from from plumbing two of them? I've been doing A LOT of research and it's my understanding that the more overflow the better because it will skim more surface scum, but the flip side is that there can be added noise if you don't get it "tuned" properly. Could I build my own overflow box with larger diameter plumbing?

Ideally, I would have bought a reef ready tank but the LFS didn't offer anything that would even remotely compare pricewise to the 75g. So I guess my second option would be to have this tank drilled. Like I mentioned before, the bottom is tempered, so that's out of the question. Has any one ever drilled the back (at the bottom I supposed) to put in a bulkhead for a drain pipe? Maybe this won't work. I don't know. That's why I'm asking :help:

So to sum things up, I have a 75g tank that has a tempered bottom and I want to use my existing 29g tank as a sump (too tall?) and I need to find the best possible route for an overflow. Should I use an overflow box(es)? or should I have the tank drilled on the back side for bulkheads?

I really appreciate any feedback/comments/suggestions/criticism that any of you seasoned salties can provide.

Thanks,
Brandon

 

[redfishblewfish]

www.glass-holes.com


The best overflow there is. Check out there website. A 75 could go either way as far as size (700 or 1500 gph), but I'd suggest the 1500. The kit includes everything including the drill bit. The back of the tank gets drilled...and it's pretty easy. Watch their videos on drilling the tank.

Your other choice is an external overflow and I had one for two years and had two major floods. Go for the glass-holes and you won't be disappointed.

 

[Ace25]

Lots of people have the back drilled, at the top, for the overflow.

My tank, 6 holes driller, 1 overflow, 2 returns, 1 closed loop intake, 2 closed loop returns. Plumbing setup looks nothing like the picture now though, picture was my first attempt at the plumbing.

overflow box

A local reefer in my area overflow setup

 

[standardbyker63]

Ace, that's terrific. Exactly what I was wondering. I've read a lot of your posts so it's great to have your input. Just so I'm understanding this correctly, I would want to drill the back of the tank near the top. I am interested in having two returns and at least one overflow. If you think that it would be beneficial to drill two overflows in the case that one clogs then I'll definitely do so. Since I'm going to be doing this, I might as well learn as much as I can and try to do it right the first time.

In the pics you posted above, I can't see the overflow box itself, but I assume that since the tank is drilled at the top then the box is not running from the top of the tank to the bottom of the tank like a reef ready tank. I'll do some research and find out if there's a "preferred/recommended depth/size" for an overflow box.

Ace, I remember reading your thread on the tank that you pictured above, the one with the DSB and the flow coming out from inside your live rock. Sorry if I'm not describing it correctly as I read it quite some time ago. Does all of your flow come from the return pump? I know that's how the LFS has their showcase tanks set up and that's how I would like to have my tank set up since I really don't like to see extra equipment. I guess that's also the reason I'm trying to figure out the best way to plump my overflow. I know I'm limited on flow if I use the HOB overflow box so I think I'll go ahead and drill it.

Redfishblewfish, thanks for the link. I'm checking it out now. Did you use one of these yourself?

Thanks,
Brandon

 

[redfishblewfish]

Yes I have a glass holes 1500 on my 90 gallon.

Here are two photos I found when it was being installed. This first one is the view from the back of the tank….two 1 ½ pipes coming out of the overflow.

[

Here’s a front view…and sorry for the quality. The overflow is very small and surprisingly very quiet.

I will only use glass holes overflow on any tank I ever have. I can’t stand those behemoth corner or back wall overflows…take up way too much space.

 

[standardbyker63]

So you have two drain pipes for your 1500 overflow? Does the 1500 kit come with two? It looks like there's two 90 degree elbows included in the kit but it's hard to tell from the pics since they aren't very big. Do you think you have plenty of outflow on your 90g? It would be nice to know since the 75g and 90g have the same footprint. If so then I may just purchase the kit instead of building my own.

Thanks,
Brandon

 

[standardbyker63]

By the way Ace, never mind about the question regarding the overflow box. I see that you posted a pic of it already above. For some reason when I first read your post that picture of the overflow box didn't show up.

Thanks,
Brandon

 

[standardbyker63]

What are the air lines for that are coming out of the top of the plumbing on the overflow? I also noticed in the pics that Ace provided that the overflows have a T fitting and a couple extra inches of vertical pipe above the overflow with a cap on top. Is this just for easy access for cleaning?

Sorry for all the questions regarding the small details, but I'm an engineering student and am curious about every detail, by nature

Thanks again,
Brandon

 

[redfishblewfish]

So you have two drain pipes for your 1500 overflow? Does the 1500 kit come with two? It looks like there's two 90 degree elbows included in the kit but it's hard to tell from the pics since they aren't very big. Do you think you have plenty of outflow on your 90g? It would be nice to know since the 75g and 90g have the same footprint. If so then I may just purchase the kit instead of building my own.

Thanks,
Brandon

The 1500 comes with two, 1 ½ inch elbows (black pipe) with the tubing coming out the top. They are attached to bulkheads that go through the glass and overflow. The white pipe in the picture, you need to supply. All the rest of the stuff is in the kit…the bulkheads, elbows, gaskets, overflow box and the drill bit. They are very easy to install. Watch the installation video on their website and you’ll see.

 

[redfishblewfish]

What are the air lines for that are coming out of the top of the plumbing on the overflow? I also noticed in the pics that Ace provided that the overflows have a T fitting and a couple extra inches of vertical pipe above the overflow with a cap on top. Is this just for easy access for cleaning?

Sorry for all the questions regarding the small details, but I'm an engineering student and am curious about every detail, by nature

Thanks again,
Brandon

The best way I could explain it is that it is a modified durso overflow….and some will slap me for saying that. Now why is it there…ask an engineer…I’m only a dumb chemist.:grinno: I think it stops siphoning by introducing air. I know when I had an external overflow with a durso in it, when the hole got clogged, the piping would siphon the box empty; refill with water; siphon; refill with water, etc. It has nothing to do with cleaning. Hope that helps