Brenton's Mr. Aqua 12 gallon long reef build

I built the overflow out of 3/8 inch black acrylic. If you would like I can post a pic of inside the overflow. If I could redo it I would make the overflow completely across the short length of the tank on one side and I would have drilled the return on the opposite side pane and not the back of the tank. The only downside of this would be that you would loose a couple inches of the display on the overflow side. The reason I would do this is because the way I have it, it is hard to get any flow in the area that is in front of the overflow. Just food for thought. Good luck with your build and I can't wait to see how it turns out.

 

Are you not worried about the silicone holding the acrylic box to the glass? And are you running a herbie setup? Pics would be great. I thought about exactly what you are talking about running the box on one end, but like you said you would see it through the front. I'm kinda leaning towards no overflow box and just running bulkheads with screens on em.

 

Yes I am running a herbie overflow. I'm not worried about the box, it's on there very solid. You could always put the box on the end like suggested but include a black piece that covers the front so you can't see into the overflow unless you are trying to. My herbie is drilled through the back of the tank though, not the bottom.

 

I'm really thinking about just doing 2 bulkheads with screens for the drains. I already figured space was cramped, and after you talking about the overflow box causing you flow problems, I'm gonna take a minimalist approach. Ugh, decisions!

 

Not a bad idea, you wouldn't be able to run a herbie then due to the lack of surface skimming with this route

 

Exciting! I was just looking at my tank and noticed a baby nerite crawling on a rock, as I looked further I found 14 I total! My nerite shave been laying eggs for a while but I never thought any of the babies were hatching much less growing and surviving! Looks like I'm growing my own clean up crew for my up coming 40 gallon breeder build. Could be collonista snails as well, we'll have to wait and see.

 

Must. Post. Pics. Of. Overflow.

 

Yes I'm so sorry I totally forgot, I'll get them for you tomorrow after work, there's not much light out there right now.

 

I'm going insane trying to figure out what I want to do.

 

I uploaded three pictures into an album for you. For reference the overflow is about 1.5" by 5" and comes out just far enough to be able to remove the screens from the bulkheads.

http://http://www.3reef.com/forums/album.php?albumid=1558#.Ukrc0DK9KSM