removing overflow box

[Silverni2]

i have a 90 gal 2001 oceanic reef ready tank i am thinking about removing the black overflow box inside the tank. my reason is it will give me more room in the tank as well as a better overall look about the tank. i do not feel like just buying a bigger tank ripping apart the old one after a year, this is not an option for me. i can also use my current equipment without spending money on upgrading. so my question is has anybody done this and if so suggestions please. what do i do with my 2 standpipes? do i need to empty the whole tank or just that one side? is doing this to my tank a legitimate option?
thanks

 

[rkaragozler]

I have seen a members tank and he had an Oceanic 175 gl bow front with 2 overflows, he capped the 4 holes and drilled 4 new holes in the back for a glassholes box and returns.

 

[Frank@Wall]

A friend reefer and I did it on his 125 with 2 corner overflows. Did not empty tank. We capped the 4 holes on the bottom and drilled 4 new holes on the backside. That was crazy but we did it. If I would have to do it again I would definetaly empty the tank.

Sent from my LG G2X using Reefs

 

[bartmalave]

1+ on empty

 

[Silverni2]

A friend reefer and I did it on his 125 with 2 corner overflows. Did not empty tank. We capped the 4 holes on the bottom and drilled 4 new holes on the backside. That was crazy but we did it. If I would have to do it again I would definetaly empty the tank.

Sent from my LG G2X using Reefs

I don't want to drill holes and I don't want to empty it but can I shorten the one return which pumps water back into the tank and hide it Behind a rock? The other hole I think is my problem I'd obviously have to use it as a return but maybe keep it high but behind rocks and keep it clean or is that to risky?
I only have two holes

 

[rkaragozler]

IMO by shortening the return like you want is looking at a flood in your house.
If you don't want to drill the tank, you can do this, with pvc cut to size. keep the return line at almost near the top of the tank with a siphon break drilled.
as far as the drain come up to the top and elbow facing the ceiling, it won't be quite, but you can get away with it. Then just aqua scape around the pipes, keep in mind you are going to need some sort of strainer or netting to stop the little critters from going in.

 

[duke62]

IMO by shortening the return like you want is looking at a flood in your house.
If you don't want to drill the tank, you can do this, with pvc cut to size. keep the return line at almost near the top of the tank with a siphon break drilled.
as far as the drain come up to the top and elbow facing the ceiling, it won't be quite, but you can get away with it. Then just aqua scape around the pipes, keep in mind you are going to need some sort of strainer or netting to stop the little critters from going in.

+1 you will have a flood unless your sump is big and your watr level is really really low.only way to do it is drill new holes or you run pipes up to the top which defeats the purpose of more room