150 Gallon Build

nice pickup... have fun with you build..

 

Gonna drill? Bean Animal overflow? and waiting for the pics.
Sounds like a fun build. Following!

 

Hmmm. Overflow is something that I have not given much thought of. I have a hang on back overflow that I use right now but after doing some reaserch and seeing what the bean animal is I really like the design. So now im thinking that thats what I will do. However now I dont know how I want to do it. Pros and cons of internal vs external overflow...I like the external overflow and could do a coast to coast. However cutting a notch along the back of the tank would eliminate the center brace. I dont want that bowing. Or I could drill a few holes, or slots and then cover them with a thin internal overflow and then have the external overflow with all the plumbing.

How would I eliminate the center brace without worring about bowing? I have read about euro bracing but cant find much about how to do it or why it works. Also what are the benifits of a coast to coast overflow and full surface skimming? Why not just make it big enough for the pluming?

This will be my experiment build. Im a big diy'er but I have yet to have a drilled tank. Just the hang on back overflows. I sucesfully drilled the hole in my sump but that was nerve wracking. Allready got aproval from the wife to do what I want with this one. If I crack the glass then a piece of starfire will look real good on that side

 

Ok here is the promised pic, the top portion of the stand. Living in an old house and having old wood floors (which are not even), its dificult to build the stand outside. Each leg will have to be stightly different so that when its in place the tank will sit even. I dont like shims.

 

Also the other day I started making some rocks to fill this baby. Here are the first two that I made, they sat in the mold for 3 days and are now sitting in water. Another two are sitting in molds now. Tomorrow I will take them out and make another two more. Im getting so excited.

Any one have opinions or more input for how I should the overflow? What is the preference internal or external, also if its external what is the best method to transfer water to the external overflow?