[jrobbins]

So here is my latest project to try and address an issue I should have taken care of before i filled my tank.

My tank is drilled in the back for a 1" drain, and 3/4" return. Right now there is no overflow on the drain, and i am using a pvc elbow (at a 45 degree angle) with a screen on it as the drain. this works fine, but is quite loud and i think i could get a much higher throughput and lower noise by installing an overflow and either removing the elbow all together, or turning it so that the entrance is always under water (ie. make the elbow face straight down.

Initially i was going to drain a bunch of water from the tank so that I could silicone an acrylic overflow to the back pane of glass. However, I would have to bring the water pretty far down, and will require breaking down a lot of the rockwork if i dont want it or the corals exposed to the air for an extended period of time.

So, here is what i came up with as a solution. I am either going to buy or make an acrylic box, approximately 4"x4" with teeth on the top to skim the surface (imagine a regular 3 sided overflow and add a fourth side to it). then i plan to drill a hole in one pane of acrylic large enough to fit a 1" pvc pipe into.

I would silicone or glue the two together outside of the tank. and then install the overflow box with pvc pipe glued into it, simply replacing the straight pipe and elbow that are there now.

I am not sure how well i explained myself, but if anybody understands what i am proposing, is there any reason it shouldn't work?

Thanks,

Jon

[PhoenixOne]

I hope you will have photos. This sounds VERY interesting and I love to see if it works

[jrobbins]

Thanks, here is a quick pic i just sketched out....

[PhoenixOne]

Ah, now I see. Think its a pretty good idea. How big is your tank btw?

[jrobbins]

Quote: Originally Posted by PhoenixOne Ah, now I see. Think its a pretty good idea. How big is your tank btw?

40 gal. long

[ssmtcarlo]

if you have the external durso even without the overflow box it shouldnt be that loud. also check custom king i believe he made a few of theses boxes already

[jrobbins]

thanks carlo, i'll pm him

[autoponicz]

do you have a ball valve or gate valve ?
dialing down the ball valve will help with the noise...

[jrobbins]

I control the flow via a T on the return. There is a gate valve on the drain, but i am not really comfortable restricting the flow that way.

Quote: Originally Posted by autoponicz do you have a ball valve or gate valve ? dialing down the ball valve will help with the noise...

[Deanos]

Your idea should work, however, I don't think it'll solve your problem (noise). The overflow box will allow you to skim more of the water surface than the elbow/strainer combo, but sound reduction is accomplished with the use of the durso pipe which seems to be already in place.