How to I build an overflow in a tank?

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Bartman

Other than some people finding this unattractive, why don't more people do this?

because it is to easy to suck fish and critters down the tube as the water will be 1/2 a inch above the tube in most deicent flow set ups. Also with a small cecumfrence the suction around that pipe will be huge which can actuly suck fish in and if tyou have a screen on it it can trap them against the screen.

the idea behind the overflow box is to spread the flow out over a larger area to reduce the velocity of the water falling over the lip thus reducing the chance of sucking something against it. also the fingers go above the water acting as a screen.

Myself I used a toothless overflow as it provides a more laminer water flow which is quieter. also it makes my water level more stable when the power goes out as I only have a 1/8th " of water over my overflow so if the power oges out my main tank only falls 1/8th of a inch and hardly puts anything in the sump. to do this I had to build a screen to keep snails and such out of the overflow its self.

Steve