Remove Durso Overflow?

[leemchildress]

I am back in the hobby after a ten year break and need some guidance. I have a friend who is giving me a reef ready tank 48 x 24 x 30. It has a built in overflow with two 1" durso drains. My thinking is that that is not enough flow for a tank that size. The questions and ideas going through my head are:

1. I would like to drill the back and add a ghost overflow. (My wife would appreciate the security of provided by a Bean Animal).

2. If I do the above, should I remove the overflow and just cap the holes in the bottom of the tank, or leave it and use the two 1" holes for the return? If I remove the internal overflow, do I risk breaking the silicone seal in the tank at the bottom and possibly creating a leak?

3. Am I wrong and the 2 1" dursos are plenty of flow?

Hopefully some of you with much more knowledge and experience than me can shed some insight on my questions. Thanks in advance for your help.

[stingeragent]

Is it a single overflow or dual? I run 2 1" drains on my 125 and they have no problem keeping up. Neither one maintains even close to a full siphon with a mag 9.5 return. If they are in the same overflow, you could remove the durso portion, and setup a herbie system instead. A single 1" drain will be close to 900-960 gph. I personally would setup the herbie provided both your drains are in a single overflow and plumb return over the back.

[leemchildress]

Yes, just one overflow in the back corner with two holes drilled. Herbie sounds like a good idea as long as you think the flow would be adequate.

[thegrun]

I agree, 1" drain lines should be fine. I did add a third 1" emergency drain to my 120 and I think it is a good idea to have one, but two 1" drains is all you really need.

[leemchildress]

Thank you for your wisdom. I will proceed with my tank build then.