Ive decided to drill my tank. Overflow?

[Scooter21]

My tank has hang on the back equipment. I've decided I'm going to get a sump, empty the tank out and drill it. I've been researching how to confirm it's not tampered, how to drill, etc. I'm going to drill the back side of the tank. What I don't really understand is what I need for an overflow. It's a box that sits inside or outside the tank. So, does it basically just cover the bulkheads? Like, I'd plumb the bulkheads to my sump and then cover those holes with the overflow?


Can someone explain this to me like im 5? I'm pretty mechanically inclined, I just need a diagram or whatever

 

[legionofdoon]

You can buy premade overflow kits with drilling templates. I used a synergy and it was easy to do. Just go on YouTube and search. You can just mount piping but it up to you you'll need bulkheads though and you don't want it lower than what your sump can safely drain to or it'll overflow.

 

[legionofdoon]

16″ Shadow Overflow V3

New Shadow V3 Overflow Kit – Just arrived!

synergyreef.com

 

[Scooter21]

You can buy premade overflow kits with drilling templates. I used a synergy and it was easy to do. Just go on YouTube and search. You can just mount piping but it up to you you'll need bulkheads though and you don't want it lower than what your sump can safely drain to or it'll overflow.

Do thr overflow kits go on the inside or the outside if the tank?


When I search youtube, I just find videos about how to drill the tank or how to install the bulkheads. Everyone just assumes I already know what parts I need for the overflow

 

[Scooter21]

16″ Shadow Overflow V3

New Shadow V3 Overflow Kit – Just arrived!

synergyreef.com

That one looks like there is a box on the inside and on the outside of the tank. That makes a lot more sense than what I've been thinking.

Is that how they all are?

 

[Zos4me]

That one looks like there is a box on the inside and on the outside of the tank. That makes a lot more sense than what I've been thinking.

Is that how they all are?

i used that one easy to install and great looking in the tanks

 

[Fish Styx]

Do thr overflow kits go on the inside or the outside if the tank?


When I search youtube, I just find videos about how to drill the tank or how to install the bulkheads. Everyone just assumes I already know what parts I need for the overflow

Generally speaking, both.

 

[legionofdoon]

That one looks like there is a box on the inside and on the outside of the tank. That makes a lot more sense than what I've been thinking.

Is that how they all are?

Pretty much the standard.

 

[legionofdoon]

You also need a gate valve

 

[Scooter21]

Generally speaking, both.

I think that's where my confusion was. I was picturing the bulkheads getting plumbed directly to the pipe that goes to the sump. I couldn't figure out how that would work and what I need a plastic box for

 

[Fish Styx]

I think that's where my confusion was. I was picturing the bulkheads getting plumbed directly to the pipe that goes to the sump. I couldn't figure out how that would work and what I need a plastic box for

Normally, the "box" that's inside your tank goes through the bulkheads and connects to the "box" that is outside your tank.

 

[Zos4me]

here is the plumbing from my last tank

Build Thread - My 40g breeder build

So long story short I have finally got around to building a new reef tank. Due to space restrictions I had to go from a 75 to a 40. This is my second attempt at building a reef system. The last one was actually doing well when life got in the way so I'm gonna have at it again. I saved all the...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Graemesreef]

I have a figi cube 20 with overflow plumbing and return pump for sale. Just thought I would throw that out lol Not sure of your display size but its everything you need

 

[Scooter21]

I have a figi cube 20 with overflow plumbing and return pump for sale. Just thought I would throw that out lol Not sure of your display size but its everything you need

Tank is 36 gallons. I like the tank. It fits perfectly in the little corner I have it crammed in. So, I want to stick with the same tank

Or were you saying you have an overflow for sale?

 

[Graemesreef]

Tank is 36 gallons. I like the tank. It fits perfectly in the little corner I have it crammed in. So, I want to stick with the same tank

Or were you saying you have an overflow for sale?

Yeah I have the whole setup you would need. Sump, overflow, plumbing, and return pump. We used it on our drilled 40 b. You will also want to drill for return. I can send you pics if interested my wife has been begging me to break it down. lol

 

[PotatoPig]

Do thr overflow kits go on the inside or the outside if the tank?


When I search youtube, I just find videos about how to drill the tank or how to install the bulkheads. Everyone just assumes I already know what parts I need for the overflow

There’s two boxes.

One goes inside the tank. It has slats around the top. Water flows through these slats into the box. The level of the slats sets the water level on the tank. The slats keep fish in the tank instead of going through the drain.

One goes outside the tank. It has holes in the bottom for the drain pipe(s) to the sump. The number of holes in the base you need will depend on the drain system you have planned.

The inside and outside boxes are connected via the holes you drill in the tank. You install a bulkhead fitting - a watertight pipe sleeve - into the holes. This stops water leaking (hopefully) and holds the two boxes in place. Some setups have multiple holes depending on configuration.

This might be a big project and has some risk to your tank - if the goal is just to have a sump have you considered a siphon overflow? There’s Lifereef run by a guy Jeff who will set you up with a good kit. There’s also Eshopps who do a similar thing. These use a siphon tube to get water from the inside to outside boxes and don’t require you to drill anything…

 

[Scooter21]

Yeah I have the whole setup you would need. Sump, overflow, plumbing, and return pump. We used it on our drilled 40 b. You will also want to drill for return. I can send you pics if interested my wife has been begging me to break it down. lol

I'm already working on the sump. Someone gave me a couple acrylic sumps and I'm cutting them up and bonding them back together to make a custom size of exactly what I need. I will need an overflow and return pump, though

 

[Graemesreef]

I'm already working on the sump. Someone gave me a couple acrylic sumps and I'm cutting them up and bonding them back together to make a custom size of exactly what I need. I will need an overflow and return pump, though

Thats cool I'm gonna try to move this as a package deal, Check out chewy for figi cube overflow i think they have the best prices.

 

[Scooter21]

There’s two boxes.

One goes inside the tank. It has slats around the top. Water flows through these slats into the box. The level of the slats sets the water level on the tank. The slats keep fish in the tank instead of going through the drain.

One goes outside the tank. It has holes in the bottom for the drain pipe(s) to the sump. The number of holes in the base you need will depend on the drain system you have planned.

The inside and outside boxes are connected via the holes you drill in the tank. You install a bulkhead fitting - a watertight pipe sleeve - into the holes. This stops water leaking (hopefully) and holds the two boxes in place. Some setups have multiple holes depending on configuration.

This might be a big project and has some risk to your tank - if the goal is just to have a sump have you considered a siphon overflow? There’s Lifereef run by a guy Jeff who will set you up with a good kit. There’s also Eshopps who do a similar thing. These use a siphon tube to get water from the inside to outside boxes and don’t require you to drill anything…

Thanks! This guy understood the assignment. Explain it to me like im 5

Why do I nee multiple pipes going to the sump? Don't I just need one from the overflow and one to the return pump?



I had thought about a hang on back siphon overflow but I figured I'm going to empty the tank and remove my sand to redo my rockscape. I might as well take it in the garage and drill it at that time. Drilling it doesn't seem like a big deal to me, other than getting it empty. Drilling seems more foolproof.

 

[Scooter21]

Anything wrong with this one?

INOUT Overflow and Pulsing Return System

The INOUT from XAQUA is a super compact and easy to install overflow and a return system in one! Made out of thick molded plastic that is 100% reef safe, adding an overflow for a sump to your tank is now easier than ever! Max Flow up to 660 GPH Great for nano tanks Installs in minutes Molded...

www.bulkreefsupply.com