Overflow VS Drilled

Total maximum drainage:

3/4"-700 gph.
1"-1000gph.
1 1/4"-1200gph.
1 1/2"-1500gph.

Coeficient of friction:

every 22, 45, or 90 degree bend adds friction slowing maximum possible drainage
90 degree bends can also result in bubbles gurguling trying to escape drag

Head Pressure:

Every vertical foot=1ft head pressure
Every 3 horizontal feet=1ft. head pressure
Every 90degree bend =1.5 ft. head pressure.
This will effect the total pumping volume, it is easier to get an oversized pump & tone it back with a gate/ball valve

 

Great, now I need to vacuum. My head just blew up...LOL:thinking2
I think all that meant, .... = Yes.

Thanks

Ill see what the LFS has today.

 

Nope.

 

well it depends on how/where it is drilled. If it is drill with an overflow box that is the safest way to go. You can also have a drilled tank that has no overflow box and just intake screens over the drain pipes. thats a little more risky as far as overflowing the tank is concerned but the upside is that you dont have an overflow box taking up room in the m ain display and tends to run a little less noisy. However if you plumb a drilled tank with an overflow the right way you can virtually eliminate the noise so either way is will be fine. HOB overflows can be a pian and i am not that big of a fan of them. They are a cheap way out and easy if you want to add a sump to an exhisting non drill tank but if you are starting off with a blank canvasa id rather go with the drilled tank with built in overflows.

 

OK,
Here is what the LFS told me.

1.) They dont sell any 90's that cannot be drilled on the bottom. They did offer to drill originially, but now they dont anymore. I believ what I have is the Aqueon
2.) They have the 90 Megaflow

They said they would take my 90, and gove me the 90 MF with Overflow witht he two holes in it and split the difference. About 120.00.


I will get between 60.00 and 80.00 for the Cichlid trade in. I am bringing them in Monday annd Tuesday.

So I can go this route, or find out about drilling the existing tank and then buy the MegaFlow aftermarket add-on. I figure drill, and MF addon will run me at least 50 for the Overflow shield and pipes, and maybe 50 to 100 for drilling. Dont know on the drilling, but anything with glass always seemes expensive.


\Cheers

 

every one has it's opinion, when it comes to drilling a tank 75g or less I think that is a mistake, I have nothing against drill tanks, specially if they are drilled already. I have use over flow boxes since I can't remember now never heard of clogs or floods either, but one thing is for certain; it is much easier to clean an O.F. box than it is a fix box inside of a tank, drill it looks more professional yes! but like I mention earlier any thing under 75g is a waste and could be extremely dangerous for the dyi guy and perhaps expensive.
Now on the pictures below you can see how mine is design and what could be big enough to clog it, where there be a chance of a flood?


On this picture you can see the debris trapping cylinder, need to be rinse almost never


And on this one I did remove the cylinder sponge so you can see the way the pipe is made for the drain, this box it's rated for 700gph and I added a secondary U tube for extra drainage because my return pump it's rated for 900gph.. Also like to mention that in case of power failure, It will NOT loose siphon! when the power is back it will continue like nothing ever happen!

 

Great thanks, love pics. much easier for me to grasp.
What is the brand you use ?

I was originally looking at this one
http://www.lifereef.com/lg_pref.jpg This one would cost more than trading in the tank...

Or the Marineland SOS which i I know is cheaper.


Thanks for the other side of the story. I suspect there are success and failure stories for each type. Wrapped on top of that, user oppinion, and on top of that, one product may work very well for one then not another.
So on and so on..


I have some thinking to do over the weekend, but I think either way, the Cichlids are out and I will work on getting to just 1 reef tank and focus on making it a success. I will have plenty of time this time around as my SW fish are currently happy in the 46.

\Cheers

 

the one in the pic is a B&R don't ask me since I don't know what it stands for...lol
Aquarium Filteration & Water Quality: B&R Pre-filter Boxes

 

Hey Tangster, I just found the receipt.
It is a 90 Gallon AGA.

Does that mean the bottom can be drilled or not drilled ?

I am going to a place today to see about $$ for drilling and compare to the 100.00 trade up fee.

Thanks

 

So what happens when this sponge gets clogged up with food and fish wastes from not being cleaned??? I would expect an over flow into the floor. Not saying you don't keep up the maintenance on it but it CAN happen if forgotten.