Side view of end with overflow box.  Using an internal overflow box like this one allows all plumbing to and from the filter to be directly under the tank.

Closer view of inside of overflow box.  Note the two holes in the glass; this is where bulkheads will be attached.  One hole will serve as a drain to the filter, and the other will be used for return flow to the aquarium.

View from underneath stand where plumbing will attach to holes inside the overflow box.

This is an image of the overflow box before any work has begun.  One of the teeth at the top of the box will be removed to allow room for the return flow pipe.

This is the plumbing that will go inside the overflow box as it will be connected to the bulkhead fittings (seen in black).  The bulkheads are what connects the plumbing on the inside of the tank to the plumbing below the tank.  On the left is the return flow pipe that will direct water back into the tank through a gap in the top of the overflow box.  On the right is the drain pipe with a sponge.

This image shows the plumbing inside the overflow box in place.  The pipe closer to  the foreground has holes in it allowing water to drain through it to the wet/dry filter.  Using a pipe with holes allows a sponge to be placed on it and thus serves as a pre-filter.  This prevents debris from reaching the wet/dry.

This is a front view of the overflow box with the return pipe in place.  If you cut this pipe flush with the overflow box, it will be invisible from inside the tank.  The force of the water exiting the pipe prevents it from simply falling right back in to the overflow.

Underneath view with bulkheads attached to the aquarium.  The gasket is placed between the lip of the bulkhead and the glass.  Part of the stand had to be notched out of the way of the bulkhead.

SL-16 wet/dry filter is in place under the aquarium.

A close up of the drain (left) and the return pipe (right).  Slip bulkheads were used so that the 1" PVC pipe could be slipped right in for an easy fit.  A full view of the return pipe can be seen in the next photo.  45° elbows are used when possible for less restriction of water flow.

The return pipe makes a couple of hard turns but water flow was restricted very little; the use of 1" pipe and 45° elbows helped maintain good flow.

Top view of SL-16 wet/dry filter with a RIO 1700 water pump installed.  Nothing else was placed inside the sump with the water pump,  so space was used freely for plumbing the pump.

Up and running with an SL-16 wet/dry filter, an Eheim 2217 canister filter, and power compacts for lighting .  Two power heads are mounted on the back wall for current and are on the same timer as the light so that things settle down in the tank at night.   Below are a couple of close-ups.  On the right, a bicolor blenny makes his home in a leather coral.

Latest image of inhabitants.

Accessories    Bio-Media    Chillers    Clearance    Cutting Holes In Glass    Hang-On Prefilters    Installations

Internal Overflows    Lighting    Nano Reef-ready Tank     Protein Skimmers       

UV Sterilizers     Water Pumps     Wet/Dry Filters and Sumps