[Hyperfocal]

I'm setting up a 55gal reef system, and am planning on drilling the back of my acrylic tank. I've got a pretty good idea how I want to set up my sump and refugium, and how to plumb the return line. My big question right now if how to plumb the outflow.

I know I have to install a bulkhead fitting, and plumb pvc down to the sump.. no problem there, where I'm getting tied up is what to actually have on the inside of the tank at the bulkhead... Do people just plumb a stub of PVC and put a strainer-kind'a thing on the end to prevent livestock from queuing up to take the waterslide down to the sump? Do you plumb right at the water line to skim the surface? Is it noisy? Quiet is pretty important to me..

I've been thinking of building a small acrylic open-topped box to cover the outflow bulkhead, cutting notches along the top edge like what you'd see on a HoT overflow box... this'd allow for surface skimming, and also offer a measure of protection against overflow if the return pump cuts out. Any opinions?

Thanks!

[Reefland]

Hyperfocal,

I think using an internal surface skimming box attached to your bulkhead is the only way to go. This gives you the best opportunity to remove proteins that build up on the surface and gives you some security in the event of a power outage.

As for keeping the tank quiet, do a search for "external durso standpipe" and that will be your answer.

[Hyperfocal]

I've seen a few mentions of the standpipe, but hadn't seen it used on a overflow box like that. I'd like to keep as much off the backside of the tank as possible, do you think something like the following would work?