Can't get into overflow

deathmatch782 · 11/16/2009, 10:28 AM

So i got the go ahead to upgrade, and purchased a used acrylic tank.
It is a 100 gallon. Dimensions are 60x18x20. The acrylic is 3/4" thick.

Now there is a 1-1/2" drain located about 7" from the top. It has a internal overflow box, but the gap between the bracing and the teeth of the box is ~1/2". With the current placement, there is not enough room to put in a 90* street elbow for an external durso.

I'm trying to figure out how to proceed. Either relocate the overflow, or cut into the bracing to be able to gain access to the box.

Playa-1 · 11/16/2009, 11:11 AM

With the current placement, there is not enough room to put in a 90* street elbow for an external durso.
The current placement of what? Are you saying that you don't want to move the tank to accommodate the external plumbing?

deathmatch782 · 11/16/2009, 11:13 AM

No, sorry.
The current placement of the overflow box does not allow for any plumbing inside of it.

Playa-1 · 11/16/2009, 11:32 AM

Some people do what they call and external durso (I'm not sure that's a correct term) which places the Tee, a riser pipe, and the air vent for the durso on the outside of the tank.

deathmatch782 · 11/16/2009, 11:39 AM

Yes, that is what i was trying to do.
The problem is that I cannot put the elbow into the overflow. There is no way to access it. I have the rest external.

Playa-1 · 11/16/2009, 07:07 PM

I'm not sure what elbow you're referring too. Why do you need an elbow inside the box?

deathmatch782 · 11/17/2009, 10:54 PM

I'm assuming i would. On my previous durso's they all had the elbow, but were also completely contained within the overflow box due to being a bottom drilled tank.

Maybe some pics would help.

ludnix · 11/17/2009, 10:59 PM

Is that overflow actually glued on? I can't imagine gluing an overflow box in such a terrible position without some sort of backup plan for removal.

deathmatch782 · 11/17/2009, 11:01 PM

Yes, it is siliconed on.
It's absolutely a horrible spot. But I cant decide on how to approach it.

Metal Man 1221 · 11/17/2009, 11:11 PM

if your sure its only silicone im sure that it wont be to difficult to remove the box and put it in a better location, because you dont want to comprimise your tanks stability by cutting the brace, it may not be stressed when full but better safe than sorry right?

Playa-1 · 11/18/2009, 07:41 AM

This is what I had in mind. It's not the best drain and overflow box configuration but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

deathmatch782 · 11/18/2009, 08:00 AM

Ok playa, i see what you're getting at.

As for moving it, it isn't glued on with an acrylic bonding agent. Just black silicone.
I know that i could take it off, but where to move it? The bracing is the same all around.

11/16/2009, 10:28 AM	#1
deathmatch782 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MN Posts: 151	Can't get into overflow So i got the go ahead to upgrade, and purchased a used acrylic tank. It is a 100 gallon. Dimensions are 60x18x20. The acrylic is 3/4" thick. Now there is a 1-1/2" drain located about 7" from the top. It has a internal overflow box, but the gap between the bracing and the teeth of the box is ~1/2". With the current placement, there is not enough room to put in a 90* street elbow for an external durso. I'm trying to figure out how to proceed. Either relocate the overflow, or cut into the bracing to be able to gain access to the box.

11/17/2009, 10:59 PM	#8
ludnix Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,031	Is that overflow actually glued on? I can't imagine gluing an overflow box in such a terrible position without some sort of backup plan for removal. __________________ -Eric Sutter Current Tank Info: 14g Biocube

11/17/2009, 11:11 PM	#10
Metal Man 1221 FMMAS Executive Director Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Fargo ND Posts: 1,504	if your sure its only silicone im sure that it wont be to difficult to remove the box and put it in a better location, because you dont want to comprimise your tanks stability by cutting the brace, it may not be stressed when full but better safe than sorry right? __________________ "My advise is, always look at their aquarium before you take their advise. Because alot of people give advise and they havnt got a clue" ~David Saxby~ "Only after the last tree's cut and the last river poisoned only after the last fish is caught will you find that money cannot be eaten" ~Lamb of God~ Current Tank Info: 125g DT, 45g sump ---- 57g Illuminata, custom sump

11/16/2009, 11:11 AM	#2
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	*With the current placement, there is not enough room to put in a 90 street elbow for an external durso.** The current placement of what? Are you saying that you don't want to move the tank to accommodate the external plumbing?

11/16/2009, 11:13 AM	#3
deathmatch782 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MN Posts: 151	No, sorry. The current placement of the overflow box does not allow for any plumbing inside of it.

11/16/2009, 11:32 AM	#4
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	Some people do what they call and external durso (I'm not sure that's a correct term) which places the Tee, a riser pipe, and the air vent for the durso on the outside of the tank.

11/16/2009, 11:39 AM	#5
deathmatch782 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MN Posts: 151	Yes, that is what i was trying to do. The problem is that I cannot put the elbow into the overflow. There is no way to access it. I have the rest external.

11/16/2009, 07:07 PM	#6
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I'm not sure what elbow you're referring too. Why do you need an elbow inside the box?

11/17/2009, 10:54 PM	#7
deathmatch782 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MN Posts: 151	I'm assuming i would. On my previous durso's they all had the elbow, but were also completely contained within the overflow box due to being a bottom drilled tank. Maybe some pics would help.

11/17/2009, 11:01 PM	#9
deathmatch782 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MN Posts: 151	Yes, it is siliconed on. It's absolutely a horrible spot. But I cant decide on how to approach it.

11/18/2009, 07:41 AM	#11
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	This is what I had in mind. It's not the best drain and overflow box configuration but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

11/18/2009, 08:00 AM	#12
deathmatch782 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MN Posts: 151	Ok playa, i see what you're getting at. As for moving it, it isn't glued on with an acrylic bonding agent. Just black silicone. I know that i could take it off, but where to move it? The bracing is the same all around.