Standpipes, overflows, and drains

D

Darby

In planning out my 90-long, I've been struggling with how to drain to the sump. I could do an overflow box, but it'd ahve to be a pretty complicated shape to allow maximum clearance. I'd rather do something simple, like the pipe type drains in the HUGE tank at Tranquilscapes. They always seem to be draining super well and are probably 0 mainentance. However, they tell me that fish can get sucked in pretty easy if they lollygag at the surface. Not a big deal if the drain goes into a baffled area in the sump, but a problem if it drains into a drip system, like bioballs or filter media.

The pipe would give me maximum water flow around it, but it won't be "pretty". Can anyone think of any other drawbacks?
 
can you elaborate on why it has to be a complicated shape for max clearance on the overflow box? If you do a standpipe in the tank, you will have to drill the bottom of the tank. Also, these tend to be more noisier.

A Hang on the back overflow box using the U-tube would be the easiest solution and won't require any drilling. This would take up the least real estate in the tank as well.

With the standpipe, you could add some gutter guard to keep the fish out, but like you said, it won't be as "pretty"

If you do plan on drilling, why not go ahead and make an internal oveflow box? The drawback with this is that it takes up some real estate in the tank, however it does have a cleaner look and will hide the durso or standpipe.
 
Hey John, this tank is already drilled, a nice big 2" hole in the center bottom. But, as it is only 12" wide, the current "overflow" box (actually, a bottom flow, as it was designed for freshwater) takes up 8", leaving only 4" for water to get from one side to the other. Too ristricted in my view, and I want to open the space up.

Hmmmm... if it's made out of PVC, I guess I can notch the top to make a true overflow, but that'd be pretty noisy too.
 
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