[adviner]

Hi All,
I have a question. The 55 gallon tank i have has a built in filter that sits within the canopy. I want to put a sump and refugium inside the stand. The problem i have is that the back of my canopy is made of aluminum and has only 2 openings on each side. They are both about 3" wide. My question is. Can i have a usable overflow with only 3" wide to go to a sump/refug? I figure the return tube is ok. I have looked at alloy of DIY weir overflows and was thinking if i make the inside and outside of the overflow wide but the bracket that goes that separates the inside and outside of the tank be only 3" wide. Would that work?

Thanks

[Ross87]

Well if you figure a half inch tube can drain a 50 gal tank in 5-10 minutes..... A 3" hole should definitely suffice.

[adviner]

Wow, thats good news. What is the formula for your calculation? Gives me something to think about and maybe enhancement.

Thanks

[Taras1]

Most overflows use a 3/4" return and 1" outflow. For a 55 gal tank, your looking at between 8 - 10 times the volume recycled per hour or 550 gal/h. You'll probably install a small overflow box (CPR makes several models) HOB. It'll have a leveling device so you don't completely drain your tank.

[adviner]

How many times do you want your tank to cycle in an hour to be considered good? Why do they make such big overflow boxes then? Is it for larger sized tanks? When you say CPR is that
CPR AQUATIC, INC. I'm still in the early stage of getting good online sites for buying stuff. I feel my local FS is a bit expensive and doesnt have all the goodies that online does.

Thanks

[Taras1]

8-10 times an hour. Your flow rate should be about 500 gal/h.

CPR Aquatic makes several good overflow boxes. You can get them on line at several places.

http://www.reefgeek.com/equipment/Ov...tic_CS_Series/
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