Overflow wall

R

Rudy

Over my head
Dec 3, 2002
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OK - I really need to determine what I am going to do about my overflow wall. I am at the point of the project where if I wait any longer my options will become more limited due to the progress of the entire project.

I really wish to obscure the overflow wall so the plumbing at the inside end of the peninsula is hidden.

What are my options?

  1. I was planning on spray insulation foam, but have recently read a few posts regarding worry over leaching of chemicals from the foam, over time, to the detriment of the tank inhabitants. Does anyone have any personal experience with this technique? It would certainly be the easiest solution.
  2. Applying some type of clear waterproof adhesive to the entire wall and then taking a slew of crushed and small pieces of Live Rock and adhere them directly to the wall. This would like be the most natural and albeit a little time consuming is likely the best option. Does anyone have any personal experience with this technique? If so, which adhesive did you use?
  3. Applying some type of underwhat paint to the inside sump side of the overflow creating a black background on the inside end of the peninsula. This should also be relatively easy and black coloring will help to mask my black closed loop buklkead. Does anyone have any personal experience with this technique? If so, which brand paint did you use?
  4. Any other option I have not considered?

I appreciate your help on this almost pressing matter.

Cheers
 
Post a pic of the exact spot in question please...
A couple ideas come to mind...

(1)For a background..you can use 2 sheets of 1/8 inch glass..
take one and paint the back black...let dry
then silicone the other sheet over the painted side...(use black silicone near the edges)
it makes a nice glossy black background..(like my internal overflows)
and since the paint is sealed inside by the silicone...it doesnt matter what type of paint you use..

(2) you can use portland cement mixed with oyster shell, and actually cast you a background... thats how i made my man made LR... its time consuming waiting for it to cure, so this is probably the least likely option..if you want more details about it, let me know..
 
7faces said:
Post a pic of the exact spot in question please...
A couple ideas come to mind...
Click to expand...

Thanks 7 - here is the view you requested. Overflow wall seen upclose and from a distance (far right of tank)

Overflow Wall (3).JPG Pennisula Placement 008.jpg
 
Ahh, i see...
well to block seeing inside the weir box from the sides, personally, i would just paint the glass from the outside..jsut tape off the trim, and mask a nice clean line just in front of the overflow box...
...or.... whatever you use to trim out the cabinent, get a piece of crown moulding,stain/paint it the same color and velcro it over the box...then you could remove it to check inside...that woud also help trim the gap between the tank and wall... (might also be able to use luan, or something similar, and paint it black)

To block seeing in it from the big portion...just let it grow over with coraline...
putting anything on it to cover it would be a real pain, due to the return holes in it..
thats what i'm thinking off the top of my head...I'll think on it some more and see what i can come up with...
 
7 - I understand the side view. I actually intend to block it similar to the way in which you mentioned. I still wish to at elast obscure the oveflow wall though so I need to come settle on one of the options I mentioned or come-up with another alternative.

Thanks again for your hep
 
well, I know you can use an epoxy, like the one I sealed my plywood tank with...
but, where the clear silicone is, you will see a border around it...
the epoxy I used is potable drinking water approved, and tough as nails, and comes in white or blue (others maybe if you mail em?)... its not cheap! ($64), but in this case, I think it would be the simplest, most effective solution...(if the silicone around that part was black, it would be perfect).. You want the 1.5 quart kit of nsp120 (smallest they have) Heres a link to where I got it:
http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/ca...ser-id=&password=&exchange=&exact_match=exact
 
I have settled on a plan for the peninsula facing wall. I purchased a bunch of marine epoxy. I am going to donate several pounds or Live Rock, located in a 55 gal drum. I'll break the rock into smaller pieces and paste them randomnly, and not so randomnly, around the surface. It will likely take some time, but I think it may prove the nicest.

I remain unsure about the side view of the overflow chamber. I think I'll have to wait and see how, if at all, I decide to incase the lighting fixture. I know I do not wish for the tank to be essentially open. <translation - I have three young children>

Thanks for the ideas.
 
The thought of gluing anything to the glass scares me...I have the utmost faith in you, but if it looks like crap, your kinda stuck with it...
any paint that you use, try to find out if its potable water approved, as you dont want it leeching chemicals into your tank...
 
my acrylic tank with an over flow has plastic or acrylic panels fitted so they block the sides and front.
these fit in the overflow and due to the snug fit hold the sides up.(like a box with in the box but only 3 sides.
 
Perhaps you could just use some seriously dark window tint so you cannot see into the chamber from the front? That would be easy enough to do from the outside. Not permanent either.
 
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