Peculiar Overflow Design

[rnall]

Does anyone have any idea why someone would build an overflow this
way?

I just got a really nice 150g glass tank/stand/canopy. There is one
problem.....the built in overflow. It is in the back/center of the
tank and made entirely of 1/2 inch glass. Perhaps there is a good
reason for the way it was built and I'm just missing it. The entire
thing is 10" long by 5" wide and divided in half (vertically).
Picture two 5" boxes rising to the top of the tank. Only one side of
one box will allow water in. This is obviously the intake because
water can not get in anywhere else. The return is a 5" box of wasted
space running all the way to the top of the tank. I figure that I
would have to use some of that modular piping and come up over that
box and back into the tank. What I do not understand is why this
'box' is there...it would only be filled with air. The inlet to the
intake side is 2 1/4" by 5" and will have to be blocked off by
something to keep critters out.

If I'm correct to think this is a mess, do any of you have any
suggestions for a fix? Here are some of my thoughts.....

1.) Rip out the divider. This sounds simple but it's 1/2 inch glass,
in a tight spot (5" square) and 30 inches tall. Is there a chemical
out there that will safely remove silicone?

2.) Rip the whole thing out and make my own out of acrylic.

I'm hoping someone will respond with a "hey dummy" and let me in on
why this overflow was done this way.....

Thanks for any help,

Ron

 

[Anonymous]

it could be a few things depending on how the water is transferred from one box to the other. a skimmer seems likely, wet dry media is a possible, other media like carbon, who knows, it could be a multitude of things.

depending on it's hole configuration, i would consider using it for something. it could be a refugium if all is workable.

 

[rnall]

Thanks for the reply.

The problem is that water is not transferred from box to box. They are completely independant of one another. The divider in the middle runs from the bottom of the tank all the way to the top. The only way to get water in that box is from the sump. That's why I'm calling it the return.

I will try and get a pic on here this afternoon.....

Ron

 

[LFS42]

8O Why do we do anything? :roll:

I've heard the easiest way to get through the silicon is
small wire/fishing line.
Cut the external fillets with a razor.
Then use the wire like a cheese slicer.
works like a charm, or so I'm told :wink:
you might have trouble because of the length and space provided.
Good luck

 

[Anonymous]

Tie the wire to two sticks!

 

[Anonymous]

You could put a terrarium in there...