the fish I plan on having are a powder brown tang, 3 resplendent or lyretail anthias(haven't made up my mind), a mandarin, 2 snowflake clowns, and a mccosker's wrasse. would that overload a 10x13 screen?
As far as the screen goes, I am assuming wider is better than longer, due to getting more flow across more surface area? And thank you for the slot size tip. (plastic canvas, 7 mesh) is 1/16" thick, is this a standard size and most common? And when I go and rough up the screen, should the first inch below the slot be left smooth to help keep algae from growing near the slot? For lights, would a pair of cheap ebay t5ho's work? I have the plumbing parts, but not the detail parts yet.
And is there anyway to improve on a hob overflow, my wife started filling the tank, and it has about 80 or so gallons of water and I would hate to throw that out if not needed.
the one I have now, does not use a tube, but still gets an air pocket and slows the flow from time to time. Could I drill a hole where the air pocket forms and silicone another tube to hook to the aqualifter pump? would this help or hurt?