Failsafes on coast to coast skinny overflow?

[lkoechle]

For my next tank I want to do a 20L derimmed. I want it to be as clean as possible and I hate painting tanks. I don't want to buy a MAME overflow. One of the things I'm thinking about is a skinny glass coast to coast overflow. since it would be clear, I would be able to see when it's getting gunked up and clean it, but if I go on vacation or something, what kind of fail safes can I put in this? I was thinking of a regular coast to coast overflow with a beananimal overflow but that would be unsightly. Any ideas of how this could all work?

[farkwar]

Make one of these.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191281654428?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[lkoechle]

I had thought about something like that. I was thinking of a skinny coast to coast with an external beananimal overflow but I'm trying to figure out a way to keep the pipes out of view. So I was going to have the overflow bulkhead low on the back wall. Maybe I could have the external overflow low on the back and reinforced with it's own stand extension? I need to think that through more but at first thought I don't see why it couldn't work... I'm sure someone else can come up with a reason though (i'll make some drawings so you can see what I'm thinking)

[Psychosis]

Before I respond in regards to fail safe options, may I ask what other equipment you may have? Controllers, ato, etc.? This is the golden age of reef keeping, so you have a ton of options.

 

So far as a low external overflow, it's very possible. I've actually seen a design that basically turns the back of the tank in to a water fall, guided by 1/4" thick glass strips. The problem is the inevitable algae buildup on the bank of the aquarium, the upside is you only have to route a small gap in to the back pane of glass rather than a full box in the tank, making the entire set up all but invisible.

 

[lkoechle]

None yet. Everything is still in the planning phase. The previous tanks were very minimal so outside of pumps and heaters we have very little equipment. We are investing in the apex and we are planning on an ato but specifics are still in the research phase for almost everything.