Sexy question about overflow drilling

[Anonymous]

Made ya look...sorry.

I have a non drilled, non RR acrylic 125, and I'm gluing on rectangular internal overflow boxes. The drilling is easy enough, but how do I gain access to the inside of the box once I've glued it in place?? The top has the usual holes--two large rectangular ones for lights, two long skinny slots on the back for installing HOB skimmers, filters, etc, and two circular holes in the back corners for heater cables. Problem is, there's no way to get inside the box unless I saw a large rectangle into the top of the tank....is this my only option? Will it compromise the integrity of the tank? Anyone have pics after doing this, or just a pic of what the top of their internal overflows look like?
Matt

 

[hdtran]

Inside which box? The overflow box, or the tank? Are you drilling (btw, before you drill, get a hole saw, rather than using the Forstner you just picked up ) the bottom of the tank, or the backside for your overflow? Are you thinking 'rear corner overflow, Durso to sump through bottom of tank'? If so, drill first, plumb, then, glue in the overflow. If you're concerned about being able to reach inside the overflow to service it, then don't glue in the overflow. Glue in (actually, substitute 'solvent cement' in for every instance of 'glue') a couple of strips of acrylic that you've drilled & tapped, then use nylon screws to fasten your overflow to the strips. Should you ever need to service your overflow, just remove the nylon screws & pull out the overflow... Your in-the-tank overflow doesn't need to be watertight (esp. if you're using a Durso standpipe)

Regards,

 

[clyde]

made you look, nothing constructive to put here

sorry

 

[taikonaut]

>.... btw, before you drill, get a hole saw, rather than using the Forstner you just picked up

I would say the same thing. Much easier with a hole saw.

 

[liquid]

Matt: Any way for you to get a pic of the place you want to place this overflow? It's almost sounding to me like the perimeter bracing on the tank is getting in the way of the overflow?

Shane

 

[John_Brandt]

Matt, I understand your question/problem perfectly. I have dealt with this many times myself. You have to install the seductive bulkhead in the inviting hole before you glue the overflow box to the tank.

Always use voluptuous high-quality Schedule 80 bulkheads like Spears or Hayward. Avoid those cheap, brittle, black & white or blue bulkheads that are commonly sold in red-light districts.

Of course you will not be able to access the inside of the box once you have glued it to the tank, without cutting the top as you have mentioned.

With love, gentleness and a sweet carress you will find yourself doing this again and again.

Sexy questions deserve sexy answers :wink: