basic system design flaw in my tank ?

[snowmansnow]

I wanted to post this to help anyone out that may be considering an custom tank with built on external overflow.

ok. I love my acrylic tank from MRC. it is a standard 120g size. 48x24x24. I had a custom EXTERNAL overflow built onto the upper right side of the tank, so that there are no overflow pipes or boxes inside. Again, great job.. top notch.

BUT the area of the overflow is only about a foot long. It offers plenty of overflow, but it offers virtually no "surface skimming" to the sump area. :doh:

for instance, if i kick stuff up in the tank it has to make its way to that exact area to be sucked down into the sump via the overflow.

The next tank i have made will have a <span style="color: Red;">:yay:coast to coast external overflow</span>:thumbs:, but that is a ways off ( or my wife will literally destroy me ).

 

[james s_]

Bummer... if you can aim a couple powerheads that way it should help. Not sure if you are using powerheads? Do you have pics of your tank?

 

[weaglereefer]

Yeah, having a 1ft overflow is basically like having a regular overflow, without it being in the tank. I still get a little bit of surface film in the corners of my tank, but nothing bad.

My next tank will have 2 2ft long overflow sections.

 

[snowmansnow]

i mean it isn't anything horrible. and tank is doing very good. just not optimal. i like optimal.

as far as powerheads I'm using vortechs.

 

[snowmansnow]

James S.;428528 wrote: Bummer... if you can aim a couple powerheads that way it should help. Not sure if you are using powerheads? Do you have pics of your tank?

here's a recent video.. about 2 months old...

 

[snowmansnow]

here's a short vid from my iphone that is a little more recent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmm3oCZ39wI">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmm3oCZ39wI</a>

b

 

[markl]

Tank looks great. What power heads are you using vortechs?Im really considering t5s.Are yours only 54w or are they overdrived?

 

[snowmansnow]

The vortechs are MP40ws.

i use an aquactinics constellation. It is an over driven fixture if i remember correctly.

 

[enderg60]

small coast to coast inside the tank will work...like so

>http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/robojetx/AquariumDesignX1.jpg</a>

 

[james s_]

EnderG60;429004 wrote: small coast to coast inside the tank will work...like so

>http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/robojetx/AquariumDesignX1.jpg</a>

I have one of these in my 100 gallon cube and it works well... It should be pretty easy to retrofit one of these into his tank as well...

 

[snowmansnow]

I've just always been terrified of HOT overflows. Scares me that they can overflow... are my fears pointless?

B

 

[weaglereefer]

SnowManSnow;429159 wrote: I've just always been terrified of HOT overflows. Scares me that they can overflow... are my fears pointless?

B

Yes. When properly set up AND maintained, there is 0% chance of an overflow. It's physics. I ran one for 10 months before I got a RR tank and never worried a second about it. Every 2 months I would take out the overflow tube and soak in vinegar and clean any accumulated algae. That's all I did after it was set up.

Steer clear of ones that need a pump to maintain siphon, it shouldn't be needed for such a simple device.

 

[smoothie]

Never ever had a problem with mine, but I do clean it and have the water line marked off in the sump so that if the power goes out the water will only fill to a certain level. Not overflow and spill onto the floor

 

[snowmansnow]

i guess if i added it TO MY EXISTING system it couldn't fail. It would just be installed to offer additional surface skimming. Even if it clogged completely up my current overflow would be fine as it is now.

b