Overflows,sumps,intakes,returns

[moocow]

I'm drilling my 58 gallon tank on the bottom panel for an overflow.
First off, how do I know how much flow I need? GPH? I've heard 7x-10x the flow.

If I plan to keep soft coral and soft polyps possibly hard stuff, what rate (GPH) should I aim for??

Where can I find over flow boxes?
I would like the kind that go from top to bottom and to do only one box.

Also, the idea of the intake pipe (inside the overflow box) is to be free flowing, so using a large diameter would make sense, right?
And the return to tank should be slightly smaller, right?

So how do these pipe sizes sound?
Return into tank- 3/4"
Drain to sump- 1"
This is what the All-glass kit contains for pipe sizes and bulk head at my LFS.

[sjm817]

Is that a glass or acrylic tank? If its glass, the bottom likely can not be drilled.

Display to sump flow should be ~ 3 - 5x display size.

[moocow]

glass, it's okay to drill the side panel then??

That would obviously require a 90degree joint, but as long as it works.

soo somewhere between 250-300 GPH would be good?

[sjm817]

Yes, you should be able to drill the side or back panel. That GPH should be fine as long as the sump is not real small.

Here is a video that will help:
http://www.momsfishsupply.com/overflowinstallation.html

[moocow]

how small are you talking.
I have a spare 30 gallon tank I was planning on using?
Plus, a eheim 2217 w/ inline heater. I planned on using the canister to introduce chems, and for chemical filtration.
Things like phosban, or purifying filtration.

Where do I get a overflow box?
and are those pipe sizes okay?

[sjm817]

30G sump is fine. 1" for the overflow is good, 3/4" for the return is good. You can just go over the top for the return. No need to drill.

[moocow]

ohhh. yeah that makes sense. I think the kit makes it a kinda "through" type thing. But over seems waaaay less risky.
One less hole to drill right??? lol

any news on finding boxes?
that link you gave, do they sell them?
It seems as though they do, but I can't find it. haha wow.

[sjm817]

I think they do, but I have no exp with them.

[moocow]

hmmm, I see lots (including that site) about just drilling the holes near the top and using a smaller over flow box.
I guess I like that idea, just don't know about it.

As long as the box meets my 250-300 min. flow rate it "COULD" be rated to flow more, right?
I'm worried about organisms being sucked into the sump and pureed.
don't most people put a sponge in the overflow box or something to prevent this??

[moocow]

where can I get overflows?
I still can't find anything.