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#3
12-17-2008, 07:34 PM
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Have you considered external overflows? I currently have one, and LOVE the fact that it doesn't take any space in the tank (and it looks better, IME).
But of the two choices you've given, I'd pick #2, simply because it would provide more surface skimming.
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~Drew 10G Nano * 10G Sump * Deltec MCE 600 Skimmer * JBL Viper 150w MH * Zeovit * Vortech MP40W Millions long for immortality who do not know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon. ~S. Ertz  
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#5
12-17-2008, 07:41 PM
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Agree with Drew. Dual overflows on the back of the tank would be fantastic.
Also with #1 if you ever have to fish something out of the overflow or need to put your hand in for any reason, it could be a right royal pita. Last edited by muck; 12-17-2008 at 07:48 PM.
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#6
12-17-2008, 07:44 PM
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Quote:
Good point, didn't think about having to get my fat arms in there..
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Robb
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#8
12-17-2008, 07:56 PM
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I vote for 'B', the overflows would take up a bit more space but would be more efficient and easier to work with. My tank has a triangular overflow and it's pretty tight. I also assume there is eurobracing not shown in the picture, the eurobracing on my tank makes the overflow even tighter.
JMO
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#9
12-17-2008, 08:00 PM
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Do you need two overflows? I know it seems to be common practice to run two on larger tanks and correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't you get better surface skimming with one overflow? Reasoning for this is that a single overflow alone will bring in twice the water as an overflow in a dual setup. This will result in a higher water velocity on the top surface and therefore greater surface tension which to me would suggest better surface skimming.
In addition you would run your return on the opposite side to create a general flow pattern towards the overflow which should produce a more efficient turnover. Plus you have more defined upstream and downstream areas which can be beneficial when keeping different types of corals. Single overflow boxes have been common practice for the tanks I build and I've always had good results. More cubic tanks are a little different but for the longer narrow tanks a single overflow and return on the opposite just makes sense to me.
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#10
12-17-2008, 08:30 PM
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The greater the linear dimension of surface skimming you have the better you will be able to get laminar flow over the weir as opposed to pulling from beneath the surface for a given sump return pump flow rate (assuming your plumbing can accomodate the desired flow rate). More laminar flow over the weir ensures you're preferentially pulling the proteinacious film off the surface of the water.
So go with B and definitely don't go with one overflow unless it's coast-to-coast (or near cost-to-coast). I don't know how much room, if any, you have behind the tank but take a look at this site for a good overflow design (it's also a good site for others to get a handle on how to improve efficiency and safety in their overflow design): http://www.beananimal.com/projects/s...ow-system.aspx There is a thread in the DIY section of RC with more pictures and discussion if you're interested.
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SPS Dedicated 24x24x20 Trimless Tank | 20 g Sump | Bubbble King Mini 160 Protein Skimmer w/ Avast Swabbie | NP Biopellets in TLF Phosban Reactor | ATI Sunpower 6 x 24W T5HO Fixture | EcoTech Vortech MP20 | Modified Tunze Nanostream 6025 | Eheim 1260 Return Pump | GHL Profilux Standalone Doser dosing B-Ionic | Steel Frame Epoxy Coated Stand with Maple Panels embedded with Neodymium Magnets "Mens sana in corpore sano" Last edited by Canadian; 12-17-2008 at 08:36 PM.
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