Big Tank, Big Questions (overflow box and return)...

[pacu mom]

Another question has come to mind. When moving the overflow box to the rear in the center, how should I account for the silicone seal on the tank floor. With the seal there, the box doesn't sit all the way flush up against the glass.

Really only one solution comes to mind immediately. That would be to cut a small notch in the bottom rear of the overflow box to account for the extra silicone in the tank bottom and then silicone around this notch, sealing any small spaces created by the notch.

Wow, that's kind of hard to understand. If you guys have any other suggestions for me, I'd be glad to hear them. Thanks again.

That should work. I'd make sure the it's notched out enough that it doesn't impinge on the silicone seal. It would be bad to disturb the integrity of that seal!

 

[terd ferguson]

Wow... I didn't realize you're moving the box... Why???? If it were me, I would use that kind of overflow with a double sided tank and use it as a center piece in the room. Like right where you've got it sitting. Viewable completely from all sides.

You are goin to drill holes in the side of the box at the bottom, right? It looks like it's going to be really hard to get a good seal on that pvc L piece that is inside the tank. Then you'll also have to make sure everything is good and sealed inside the box, which isn't easy to do either. It just seems like a better idea to deal with it in the center.

I'm moving the box because in the center, it's visually distracting. It also leaves more room for decorations. Unfortunately, the tank can't go right where it's sitting. There's another piece of furniture that goes there. I moved it out of the way so I could work on the tank inside.

Take a look at the 'after' drawing. I plan to drill three holes in the front of the box at the bottom. It may be easier to leave it in the center, but I think it is doable to put it on the back wall.

 

[pacu mom]

What you plan to do will work. However, an overflow box in the center of the tank can be a great feature. Here's a picture from the gallery of my tank builder, Midwest Custom Aquariums:

 

[terd ferguson]

What you plan to do will work. However, an overflow box in the center of the tank can be a great feature. Here's a picture from the gallery of my tank builder, Midwest Custom Aquariums:

I agree totally that in some circumstances, a center overflow is the way to go. This is especially true for tanks where you are able to view both sides, like a centerpiece in a room or room divider. I just find the center overflow design obstructs the viewing in most other circumstances. It also hampers decoration placement. In my situation, the tank is 5 feet wide and the overflow box is 1 foot wide. This takes up 20% of the tank width right in the center. The space behind the overflow box is almost useless for placing decorations as they wouldn't bee seen. The space for decorations in front of the center overflow box is greatly diminished by the box just being in the center.

Like I said, center overflows have their place and I'm not knocking them. It just doesn't fit in with my particular taste for this particular situation. And these are only my opinions, not philosophies I'm trying to push on others.

Thanks a lot pacu mom, your ideas, suggestions, and pictures have helped me out tremendously.