Unorthodox overflow cover

cilyjr

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I decided I wanted to cover my overflow. My previous 180 gallon tank had a foam "Rockwall" cover that inserted around the overflow and covered it up.
20171216_153744.jpg


For whatever reason when setting up the 320 gallon aquarium I decided not to do this.
The tank has been up and running for 9 months and has been pretty successful. For those interested this is the build thread. I decided I wanted another overflow cover. As the tank is 6 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft roughly, it is difficult to get in and scrape the overflow. I like the back to be clean of Coraline algae. When you can't scrape the overflow, it looks like a piece of plastic that is trying to be hidden but stands out.
The purpose of this overflow is to allow it to grow coraline algae and look intentional. I know that it will look man-made.
This all had to be assembled and then installed in a running aquarium full of water.
material used.
stone veneer
rtv 108
superglue gel
super glue gel accelerator
The stone veneer was purchased at Lowe's. If you go to the back section you can find sheets that have been broken. As you need to separate these and remove the latex glue they used to adhere them, it is advantageous to buy these sheets because they will usually give them to you at about 50% off. I spent about $40 on the veneer.
PXL_20240107_223829966.jpg


Most of them fit together fairly easily, but I did have to cut some. They are easy enough to cut using a wet saw or even just a dremel with a diamond bit.

PXL_20240107_223833562.jpg


I built them in 5-in and 6 in height sections to allow for modular construction inside the aquarium.
The individual sections stack on top of one another and are held in place by the existing overflow and gravity.
PXL_20240114_181644236.jpg


I am quite pleased with how it turned out overall. Will see what happens in 6 months as it starts to cover with coraline.
Here are two pictures of the finished product with different filters over the lens.
PXL_20240121_194817206.jpg
PXL_20240121_194802531.jpg


Thanks for looking.

I'm happy to hear honest opinions even if it's not your cup of tea! What do you think of how it looks?
 

SPSReeferMI

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I think this idea is terrific. I like the idea of cleaning the back wall while not having to clean the overflow box.

How do you like it? Is it covered in coralline yet?
How did you adhere it to your overflow box?
 
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cilyjr

cilyjr

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I think this idea is terrific. I like the idea of cleaning the back wall while not having to clean the overflow box.

How do you like it? Is it covered in coralline yet?
How did you adhere it to your overflow box?
Not in Coraline but it has spots. I like it and it will stay.
It is not adhered to the overflow they are a large C shape that fit snug around the overflow. Gravity keeps them in place.

1000001731.jpg
 

mikst

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Not in Coraline but it has spots. I like it and it will stay.
It is not adhered to the overflow they are a large C shape that fit snug around the overflow. Gravity keeps them in place.

1000001731.jpg
Nice! I build some of my overflows and rear chamber filtration units for my freshwater tanks with ceramic, slate, or porcelain tile from big box. Wet tile saw and aquarium silicone.
 

Lingwendil

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Nice! I build some of my overflows and rear chamber filtration units for my freshwater tanks with ceramic, slate, or porcelain tile from big box. Wet tile saw and aquarium silicone.
Any pics? That sounds like something I would like to do to hide the overflows in my 180 that I'm setting up for freshwater.
 

mikst

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Any pics? That sounds like something I would like to do to hide the overflows in my 180 that I'm setting up for freshwater.
Here's an example of a tank I did for a friend. Freshwater obviously. I used tile with a nice pattern, cut it to build a filter/internal sump chamber.
 

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mikst

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Here's an example of a tank I did for a friend. Freshwater obviously. I used tile with a nice pattern, cut it to build a filter/internal sump chamber.
Here's a clearer picture before planting.
 

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FUNGI

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Not in Coraline but it has spots. I like it and it will stay.
It is not adhered to the overflow they are a large C shape that fit snug around the overflow. Gravity keeps them in place.

1000001731.jpg
Looks great! Skin the stand like that also....complete visual match!!!
 
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cilyjr

cilyjr

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Looks great! Skin the stand like that also....complete visual match!!!

The thing is that room was once a patio so it's got a sloped concrete floor. Adding those stones would make the slope very noticeable. I'd have to cut them all at an angle and I sold my tile saw a while back.

But the idea warrants some more thought.
 

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