Overflow Sizing

[Syoung]

Hey all,

I'm starting to plan out a build after being away from the hobby for years. Previous experience was AIO based, now I'm looking at a 48" x 24" x 25" (120g) Glass Cages braced aquarium. Penisula style, so overflow on a short side.

Seems like I want to go with a Bean Animal overflow, I'm thinking Modular Marine. The 1200 gph says it's good for up to 150 gallons, with 3/4" returns. However, Glass Cages offers the 1600 gph as a standard return (up to 175 gallons, 1" returns).

What would be the recommended option?

 

[UncommonSense]

Hey all,

I'm starting to plan out a build after being away from the hobby for years. Previous experience was AIO based, now I'm looking at a 48" x 24" x 25" (120g) Glass Cages braced aquarium. Penisula style, so overflow on a short side.

Seems like I want to go with a Bean Animal overflow, I'm thinking Modular Marine. The 1200 gph says it's good for up to 150 gallons, with 3/4" returns. However, Glass Cages offers the 1600 gph as a standard return (up to 175 gallons, 1" returns).

What would be the recommended option?

Go with the 1,600GPH model!

On paper, it’s overkill for the tank… but this is a classic case of paper and reality not quite lining up!

That is to say, the rated max flow is in ideal conditions; a straight shot with drain plumbing, and perfectly clean weir/pipes… in the real world, the maximum flow rate of your overflow will decrease over time as organisms encrust the plumbing/etc…

(I’m also a fan of oversizing drains… you can always make them smaller if desired, but you cannot make them bigger once you commit!)

 

[Syoung]

Good to know! Is there any issue with more noise if you're underutilizing the larger diameter pipes?

 

[UncommonSense]

Good to know! Is there any issue with more noise if you're underutilizing the larger diameter pipes?

Not typically! And, you can add a pair of drilled elbows to the standpipe inlet(s) if you do get any appreciable water trickle resonating out from the standpipe(s)!

(Depending on wether you prefer to let the secondary drain run dry, or at a trickle)