External Overflow - Wall Clearance

[Jer_H]

Hi all,

I'm getting ready to order my tank and would love to be able to use an external overflow similar to a ghost overflow or coast to coast.

Can anyone advise how far from the wall the aquarium would be If my external overflow is using 1" drains? The wall clearance is the deciding factor on which style of overflow I use.

Thanks in advance!

 

[TORX]

My tank is 4 1/2 inches from the wall. I run 1" drains and there is about 1/2 from the wall to the back of the overflow. I DIY'ed my tank, if you are going for a ghost, their dimensions should be posted publicly.

 

[Jer_H]

Thanks! I think reef savvy's 16" box needs 3.5"

Do you have your plumbing hidden from view somehow?

 

[TORX]

Well right now I do as I run a peninsula tank that is 24" wide, so plumbing can be seen from either viewable side. But that is due to the fact that I have not finished my stand. On a typical tank, there shouldn't be an issue with people seeing your plumbing, place it near the middle of the tank and the plumbing gin the middle of that, most people will not be looking at your tank at that angle...unless they rest their head on the wall to look at the side of your tank lol.

 

[DerekL]

I just purchased to tank off a member here that has an external overflow. I like that prime space inside my tank won't be taken up by an overflow. I don't think you need much clearance behind the overflow itself its personal preference. I personally am going to set my tank up so that I can fit behind it. This way I can hide my calcium reactor and CO2 tank as with my ATO resevior. But my tank will be in a corner so I plan on putting a plant on the oneside to keep people from see all of that stuff. If the reef saavy ghost overflow is only 3.5" an inch off the wall would be fine. I have a buddy whose overflow is only 1/2" from his wall with no issues.