Internal Aquarium Overflow Teeth

[shaynasmith]

Hey all, I recently plumbed my 180 gallon tank and last night filled it to check for leaks. The left overflow fills up first resulting in no water passing through the teeth on the right hand side. Its just shy like 1-2ml from going over. Using a 6 foot level the tank is bang on but obviously not quite! As everything is hard plumbed, lifting the aquarium may prove difficult to shim the stand up on the left. Thoughts on extending the teeth downward slightly on the right to match the left? Does anyone have any experience cutting plastic overflow teeth?

 

[SPS2020]

Pictures?

 

[mjszos]

Make sure you're checking level across multiple spans... Don't just go left to right on the front, do it in multiple locations, diagonally , etc.

Either that or call your local space agency, you may have pockets of lower gravity in your house.

 

[Aaron Stone]

Is this a new tank or used?

Check the relative distance of the water line (no flow running) to the top of tank as a verification of level.

I had an old marineland once that had higher weir teeth on one side than the other. They were cut different lengths, probably a manufacturing defect. I spent a week trying to figure out what was wrong until my wife pointed out that one side has longer weir teeth than the other. Dremel fixed that.

Verify that that is the problem before cutting though. I would advise correcting the level if that is the issue before resorting to modifying the teeth.

 

[shaynasmith]

Is this a new tank or used?

Check the relative distance of the water line (no flow running) to the top of tank as a verification of level.

I had an old marineland once that had higher weir teeth on one side than the other. They were cut different lengths, probably a manufacturing defect. I spent a week trying to figure out what was wrong until my wife pointed out that one side has longer weir teeth than the other. Dremel fixed that.

Verify that that is the problem before cutting though. I would advise correcting the level if that is the issue before resorting to modifying the teeth.

It's a used tank. Thank you for the advice I will measure the teeth tonight and see if that's an issue. I feel like even if I could fit 2 dimes under the left corner it might even out...frustrating after everything is setup!

 

[UncommonSense]

That’s a really helpful point. It could definitely be a level issue or even a defect in the weir teeth like you experienced. I’ll double-check the water line with no flow running and compare both sides before doing anything permanent.

Flip your level over to check it for calibration error too, it happens!

Also, I have seen cases where a tank’s top rim isnt pushed on all the way… you can verify with a measuring tape! — same goes for weir teeth cut at different heights on overflows, just measure…

 

[UNREEFER]

This is an order post that seem to got revived. I am going to throw my experience incase someone is experiencing this issue.


Let’s say you have a 6’ Aqueon reef ready tank with dual overflows.

You need at least a 4 foot level or better yet a 6 foot level. The longer the level the better resolution you will get. Any small one is near useless when dealing with a long tank.

Also once you dealing with a long tank the bubble being not exactly in the middle adds a big time. To the point the water level will be crooked and one overflow will be used and the other barely anything. You should also check the level empty vs when full. There is a chance it will be different.


Once adding water the level of aquarium might change due to weight on the wooded floor. To fix and it’s a pain I know is drain 99% of the water (even pump it to brute trash cans across the room temporarily) then slide under a pump air cushion which is sold at any home improvement store. You don’t have to break your back and make this a solo job. When lifted up slide some shims (preferably composite type) then lay it back down. You may need to do this a few times. This is worth it especially if you haven’t setup up your tank completely yet because you will be dealing with issues and kicking your sell in the rear for not doing this earlier




If this overflow is a dual overflow from the manufacturer, I wouldn’t recommend cutting it. It’s most likely equal in height. Not saying it can’t happen but chances are it’s even. You are putting a bandaid on it by cutting. Then if you do ever make your tank level / move the tank then you have to cut the other side making the water level even lower. Permanently altering it forever.