180 gallon tank question !!!

[SillyFish]

I just got a free 180 gallon reef tank and have started moving everything from the old tank including the fish (who are in a cooler right now) to move this one in, but the new tank has two corner overflow boxes built in, where the holes are drilled on each side for a sump tank. My only problem at the moment is that I don’t have a sump tank yet, and it needs a couple different things for the plumbing to be able to work. Would I be able to fill up the tank to a point where water doesn’t go into the overflow boxes, or would that potentially cause stress on the tank and cause the seams to burst/explode? I’ve never had this problem so I have no idea if it would be completely okay or unsafe. Thank you!! Super excited for this tank

 

[mattdg]

So, I will not say that you are 100% safe doing so, but I have filled my 120 gallon Red Sea dual overflow 3/4 way, bulkhead removed and the overflow box held just fine. Granted, this was only for a short while, to drain one side and work on that bulkhead. The safest would be to create two sealed bulkheads with screw off plugged PVC ends, while the tank is waiting for your sump. Fill the tank and overflows, for a bit of extra assurance and you can still utilize the bulkeads when you remove your plugs. Just check to be sure your corner overflows are completely sealed first, especially if you plan to drain one at a time to install plumbing, while the tank is running.