Craig's ultimate nano

very very neat craig!ive got to get myself a cube!!
 
Thanks guys.

Sims, I am not going with any standpipe at all. I've built my share of the Durso, Stockman, HGB designs, but this time I am going with a noise and bubble-free system.

The overflow box is cladded with black perspex.
 
Sure, nothing revolutionary. The overflow box has 2 full-size holes. Main outlet at the bottom and emergency outlet at the back, towards the top. Both drain to the sump. Main outlet will end in a ball valve just below water level in the sump. Restrict flow from main outlet so that the water backs up in the overflow box. Since the water level in the overflow box will be above the outlet hole, no air will be drawn in so no noise, no bubbles. If the ball valve ever gets clogged, the water level in the overflow box will only rise to the level of the emergency outlet hole at the back and flow to the sump through that (with some noise so I know what's happened). That's all there is to it.

Apart from the noise / bubble issue, this arrangement also has the advantage that no particulate waste collects at the bottom of the overflow and breaks down as I've seen happen with taller standpipes; it just gets sucked directly out the overflow hole to the filter sock / skimmer.
 
Depends what you mean. The glass box (including basic overflow box) was built by Adriaan. I've never been happy with my own silicon work and his workmanship is second to none. I've just done the simple stuff - drilling the tank, painting, perspex etc. The cabinet is being built by a local furniture maker; I don't really have the time / room to do it properly at the moment. It's due to be delivered this weekend, can't wait.
 
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Progress is looking good Craig, nice.

I can remember you saying you were moving, is that all over with?
 
stunning man, is the OM going on this baby??
 
Craig said:
Sure, nothing revolutionary. The overflow box has 2 full-size holes. Main outlet at the bottom and emergency outlet at the back, towards the top. Both drain to the sump. Main outlet will end in a ball valve just below water level in the sump. Restrict flow from main outlet so that the water backs up in the overflow box. Since the water level in the overflow box will be above the outlet hole, no air will be drawn in so no noise, no bubbles. If the ball valve ever gets clogged, the water level in the overflow box will only rise to the level of the emergency outlet hole at the back and flow to the sump through that (with some noise so I know what's happened). That's all there is to it.

Apart from the noise / bubble issue, this arrangement also has the advantage that no particulate waste collects at the bottom of the overflow and breaks down as I've seen happen with taller standpipes; it just gets sucked directly out the overflow hole to the filter sock / skimmer.
Click to expand...

Wow that's basically what I have done on the tank I got from you - 1 overflow pipe with a ball valve to the skimmer and then the other for incase there is a blockage - been like that for a few months and have not had a problem yet....
 
@viper: thanks and yes.
@phat: yes, the OM squirt will go on this tank. An OR3500 will provide the primary circulation (~32x)
@sims: that is actually the way the C2C on your tank was designed to run. The primary difference between your C2C and the overflow box on this tank is that there is not much height difference between your primary and emergency outlets, so keeping your primary outlet bubble-free is much more difficult than will be the case with this tank.
 
Cool, thanks for the pic Craig.

Looks like it's coming along nicely. With the ball valve method just make sure that you keep the level in your sump constant - ie auto top up etc as this will effect the level in your overflow, but I'm sure you've got that covered.
 
@sims - back and bottom are painted with Plascon Glatex 8 2-part.

Cabinet has arrived. Here's a pic of the test fit:

Picture001.jpg


I am currently sealing the inside of the cabinet to cater for any moisture build-up, the outside will remain oiled.
 
Very Nice Craig, I nice cabinet really adds to the look of the tank.

You getting a lid as well or going open top ?
 
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