Vance164 Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 So I'm trying to decide how to do my overflow on my tank I can't decide between internal or external. I like the idea of a coast to coast but not sure if I like the space it takes. I was pondering the idea of maybe making a slim coast to coast with just bulk heads feeding an external box with all the bean animal plumbing. Please share photos and ideas! I'm getting bored since I just finished my term of school and need to get my project rolling! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junior Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 For me, I prefer internal overflows. I would rather sacrifice the space inside, and be able to put the tank tight against the wall. Then I don't ever have to deal with a problem back there. Just my preference, 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vance164 Posted September 9, 2016 Author Share Posted September 9, 2016 For me, I prefer internal overflows. I would rather sacrifice the space inside, and be able to put the tank tight against the wall. Then I don't ever have to deal with a problem back there. Just my preference, Regardless there will be plumbing so I don't think it will be tight to the wall. Drilling the bottom is not a possibility due to tempered bottom panel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Z Reef Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 There are lots of this style of low internal tank profile with external boxes. That's the route I'd go if I redid mine: https://www.ebay.com/itm/201291912999 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junior Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 That is one slick overflow. If I had to go out the back of the tank, that would be the ticket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted September 10, 2016 Share Posted September 10, 2016 There are lots of this style of low internal tank profile with external boxes. That's the route I'd go if I redid mine: https://www.ebay.com/itm/201291912999 Its a Synergy Copy and to be honest I would rather do the Synergy. Yes it cost more but having teeth that come off to clean it is worth it to me. I say ghost overflow as they blend right in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vance164 Posted September 10, 2016 Author Share Posted September 10, 2016 I think the ghost look good but are kind of pricey and a long lead time. And the problem with all of these are none of them are 6ft long to be a coast to coast. If I were just to get black acrylic and make one myself. How far off of the back of glass do you think would be a minimum needed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted September 10, 2016 Share Posted September 10, 2016 Check with Charles aka (wannareef) he can build you one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vance164 Posted September 10, 2016 Author Share Posted September 10, 2016 Thanks I messaged him. I personally really enjoy the diy aspect so I'm not against building it myself. Just wanted to see what others have and there experiences for or against external. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted September 10, 2016 Share Posted September 10, 2016 (edited) I think the ghost look good but are kind of pricey and a long lead time. And the problem with all of these are none of them are 6ft long to be a coast to coast. If I were just to get black acrylic and make one myself. How far off of the back of glass do you think would be a minimum needed? I think the biggest Synergy Ghost is 24" long. I did see a NIB one for sale on R2R for 200 and that was a good deal. I think my overflow is 4 inches wide in the back of the tank. Might be a little smaller but not sure. I am sure if you go on BRS they will give dimensions. What size tank are you doing? Edited September 10, 2016 by spectra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vance164 Posted September 10, 2016 Author Share Posted September 10, 2016 I'm doing a 120 gallon 6ftx24x18 I believe been a long time since I looked at the dimensions of it. I do know it's 6ft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanareef Posted September 10, 2016 Share Posted September 10, 2016 (edited) Answered your PM Depending on your bracing you might not be able to get 72" of overflow into the tank (probably more like 70"-71" with inside measurement) and it'll be 60" or even 48" that you can snake in past the bracing. You would be better to install an internal overflow for surface skimming rather than an external one, or add something like the "ghost" type overflow, diy 2 boxes but all your really need is one. Edited September 10, 2016 by wanareef Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 Just saw this http://synergyreef.com/product/16-shadow-overflow/ for the price I don't think it can be beat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vance164 Posted September 12, 2016 Author Share Posted September 12, 2016 Just saw this http://synergyreef.com/product/16-shadow-overflow/ for the price I don't think it can be beat. It looks really nice. Is coast to coast for surface skimming not as beneficial as I'm thinking it is? I really an a complete newbie to this so trying to do the research. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 Well with all the flow that we have in the tanks these days I think you can get away with a smaller overflow. The C2C is nice but why are you set on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 So what spectra is saying is correct. If you have enough turnover in your tank, (return pump) the the top of your water will skim on its own very well. The benefit to a C2C is that if you have any dead spots in the top surface of your tank, it will get turnover by the C2C overflow because of gravity. I personally would not put a ton of emphasis on getting it unless you just want the cool piece of equipment. It does have a nice look and fit n finish but not absolutely necessary. If your pump is not overly strong and not turning the tank several times an hour then it may be worth it. Hope this helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vance164 Posted September 12, 2016 Author Share Posted September 12, 2016 Thank you guys I will be running with 2 mp40s so I feel I should have enough flow. I guess I'm not set on the C2c just had read somewhere it did the best job of surface skimming. But after reading that high turnover from flow fixes the issue I guess I'm not set on it now. That was pretty much the awnser I was looking for I would prefer the least intrusive setup possible so not going C2C would be better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The ReefBox Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 That synergy shadow Spectra posted a link to is slick I think it would be an awesome choice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisQ Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 The thing with surface skimming/surface renewal is the longer the overflow box is determines just how effective it can be from how it was explained to me. Bean made me read the section on surface renewal 2-3 times before he realized i was just trying to get my system stable. He saw how long my tank was relative to the overflow box and focused on it a lot. The analogy he uses here makes a lot of sense. I wish my box was much longer. http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisQ Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 I also totally agree with Spectra and Brian when it comes to the amount of turnover we have in our tanks, it's pretty easy in most cases to eliminate that little dead spot that can form at the surface with a little powerhead adjustment or adjusting your returns. It's just a bit easier with a long overflow box because of what Brian said, gravity takes over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertareef Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 I would second (or is it third or fourth now) that synergy ghost option - very slick looking and seemingly quite practical. Combined with sufficient turns, as Brian indicated, I would think it would be plenty efficient and the larger one would likely have around the same total skim area (in linear inches) as one of the more standard internal dual overflow setups while being a whole lot easier to clean and maintain. If I didn't already have a tank setup with the dual internals I would definitely be looking at these myself. Nice option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishboys Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 Your going to need a good return pump either way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vance164 Posted September 13, 2016 Author Share Posted September 13, 2016 The thing with surface skimming/surface renewal is the longer the overflow box is determines just how effective it can be from how it was explained to me. Bean made me read the section on surface renewal 2-3 times before he realized i was just trying to get my system stable. He saw how long my tank was relative to the overflow box and focused on it a lot. The analogy he uses here makes a lot of sense. I wish my box was much longer. http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx this is the exact article that made me want to go coast to coast hahaha! That is why I was so tied up on a longer over flow then 1/4 of my tank that the brand name overflows would have. while they look sleek if the performance was substantially better I could sacrifice some aesthetics for such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vance164 Posted September 13, 2016 Author Share Posted September 13, 2016 That synergy shadow Spectra posted a link to is slick I think it would be an awesome choice It is very slick! I would second (or is it third or fourth now) that synergy ghost option - very slick looking and seemingly quite practical. Combined with sufficient turns, as Brian indicated, I would think it would be plenty efficient and the larger one would likely have around the same total skim area (in linear inches) as one of the more standard internal dual overflow setups while being a whole lot easier to clean and maintain. If I didn't already have a tank setup with the dual internals I would definitely be looking at these myself. Nice option. good point. Your going to need a good return pump either way. Yes I will. I'm going to be looking into those soon. im shooting for a 1200gph turn over rate which will be close to 10x hope that should be sufficient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vance164 Posted September 14, 2016 Author Share Posted September 14, 2016 I took your guys advice and preorder the synergy shadow. Thanks for the great discussion! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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