Need some help on external overflow design

[Ben1]

So I ordered this custom tank and after looking at a bunch decided to change my internal overflow to an external overflow. He emialed me back and told me I need to send him a drawing so there is no confusion. He needs to get the back panel laser cut for the overflow.

So far I have this info

48x36x24
The front 12mm starphire glass
The sides and back 12mm regular glass
The bottom 19mm regular glass

I was planning the external overflow on the back panel left side, but he needs to know were I want the holds, exactly where I want the overflow, wether I am using sch 40 or 80 bulkheads and which size bulk heads I am using.

I was planning on building two sumps one for the sump and one for the fuge. I was planning on using seaswirls for the return although I am not sure how that would work on a eurobraced tank? Should the external overflow have two holes for two drains or one drain on return or three or what? How big should it be so I can put mini dursos in there and still be able to work in there if need be?

I know some of you have experience here and would appriciate some help on overflow sizes, which type of bulkhead to use, and maybe a sketch to send off to him?

TIA

 

[Anonymous]

A 6" x 6" box that spanned nearly the length of the tank, around 36" or so, would be great.

 

[Anonymous]

Each 1" bulkhead can safely handle 1000 gph. 1.5" bulkhead can handle around 2000 gph. I would do two 1" bulkheads and limit the returns to around 1000-1200 gph.

 

[Anonymous]

Here's my design

Coast to coast, fairly shallow, 4" x 4" I think, I have a single 1.5" bulkhead that can more than handle the return, my old tank had tons of sponges in the overflow I built (hey one more level of filtration!).

Only downside is the return looks kind of ugly as it is, however if you have some canopy on top then it's really a non issue. Its not ultra silent but it's not gulping/burping/etc either, however depending upon your return pump that might change, so you might want a deeper overflow simply to put a durso or other standpipe in if noise is a concern.

 

[Anonymous]

There are quieter solutions than Dursos, if you're interested.

I like Mike's design, with the small change that I would leave a few inches on one end so the return doesn't have to go around the overflow box.

Also keep in mind that Mike's box is acrylic. The glass cutter may have a limitation on how much glass he will safely leave between a drilled hole and a cut, so a 4" wide box may be impossible to do.

 

[Ben1]

Cool designs, a 6" x 6" box would be fine for me.

What are the quieter then durso option Matt?

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

the external on my long 100 was similar to Matt's drawing in that it didn't go the entire distance across, I still didn't do a bulkhead as a return, but it looked a tad cleaner than looping around

Laser cut glass though? WTF!?

 

[Ben1]

I dunno I asked him about an external overflow and time idea on finishing the tnak and this was his responce,

Just to let you know an external overflow is an extra $100
because they have to lazer jet the cut out.
Please send a drawing showing where you want the holes and
the overflow what size holes what bulkheads you are using
Schedule 40 or 80 and when we get the drawing we will
order the glass and you are looking at least a month from
then.

 

[Ben1]

I guess he means on teh back panel where the water overflows into the external overflow under the eurobrace? Anyhow I was planning on using my seaswirl still as the return so am not depending on using a return bulkhead.

So I was thinking of doing two 1" overflows in the bottom of the box, with dursos or w/e if theres a better way. Having one go to my sump and be the main return and the other ballvalved down to lesser flow and going into my fuge. The fuge will overflow to the sump. Do you think this idea is fine?

I was planning on using my current return pump which is a eheim 1262. I think with head loss it should only be like 700 gph return but the majority of my intank circulation would be from vortechs. I have two for now and might add one or two more as I need to.

 

[Anonymous]

Cool designs, a 6" x 6" box would be fine for me.

What are the quieter then durso option Matt?

Thanks

Like this:

Except in your case, there would be two pipes on the left with gate valves instead of just one. These would both be 1", and the bulkhead on both should be completely submerged. Then the smaller drain (1/2" or 3/4" will suffice) has a short standpipe about 4" tall or so. You valve back both drains until the water in the box raises to the short standpipe--just barely. The third small drain should only have a few GPH flowing through it.

The point of all this is that no air is entrained. That's the fatal flaw with Durso and Stockman standpipes. They entrain air and then attempt to quiet the gurgle. Better to just not entrain any air in the first place.

HTH,
Matt

 

[Ben1]

Ok cool I will try, thanks for the ideas and pictures Mike and matt.

 

[Anonymous]

That's my old 20 gallon. It's a 1.5" home made bulkhead with plumbing pieces.

my new 58 gallon:
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/att ... 1174443975

I had two dursos running at the same time, and they constantly fought. Now have one durso and one standpipe. Dead silent. (except for the oceans motions)

B