overflow box for canister!?

[shcrimps]

currently in my home there’s two fully stocked tanks running with canisters and seemingly no ill effect, one has lily pipes with surface skimmer that do a great job (other tank however) standard pipes no surface skimming
idea i had was to use an overflow box that has a backing (similar to the ones made for aqua clear HOB filters) using some strong magnets to hold it up in place
b u t
also drill 1-2 holes through the bottom to put the return line/s with a spin stream nozzle
thoughts?
i know there’s plug in surface skimmers
but the less wires the better

(can draw out a simple diagram if needed)

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[WillM]

Just wondering if you ever tried it? I like the idea and have been thinking about something like this as well.

 

[shcrimps]

Just wondering if you ever tried it? I like the idea and have been thinking about something like this as well.

gave it a shot without much success
yes it worked but i think i got too small of a box
canister was taking in water quickly and i didn’t have a valve to adjust flow
but if you can get those worked out it should be fine

 

[natebatey]

currently in my home there’s two fully stocked tanks running with canisters and seemingly no ill effect, one has lily pipes with surface skimmer that do a great job (other tank however) standard pipes no surface skimming
idea i had was to use an overflow box that has a backing (similar to the ones made for aqua clear HOB filters) using some strong magnets to hold it up in place
b u t
also drill 1-2 holes through the bottom to put the return line/s with a spin stream nozzle
thoughts?
i know there’s plug in surface skimmers
but the less wires the better

(can draw out a simple diagram if needed)

I have done several tanks with canister filters and I like to use 3, 4, or even 6 inch pvc pipes to make my own surface skimming weir. The pipe spans the full height of the tank with a weir-tooth pattern cut into the top. Silicone the bottom to the bottom tank glass. Then stick the canister intake inside the pvc column and water flows over the weir. I will try to get a picture sometime.