Plumbing a tank
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: DIY
Forum Description: Do it Yourself
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=21495
Printed Date: July 16 2026 at 12:21pm
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Topic: Plumbing a tank
Posted By: Crazy Tarzan
Subject: Plumbing a tank
Date Posted: October 29 2007 at 3:07pm
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So, thanks to ManofCichlids I have a new tank. I want to set it up as well, but am having a hard time deciding how to plumb it. I have a aversion to overflow boxes, so I'm looking at drilling it. It's a 36" x 18" x 16" tank, non-drilled but it has a tempered bottom, so I can't drill the bottom. I would like to install an overflow on the back, mid-right hand side, but am unsure as to what size of holes to drill in the back glass--I know I want at least two drains, one active and one for emergencies. I only need to flow 300 gph max, as I will have other flow devices as well in the tank. My biggest questions are how to pass the drains through the glass--do I use 2 x 90* elbows--one on each side of the bulkhead, do I try and use 45* elbows? I'm trying to keep intrusion into the tank space down to a minimum as well. Any suggestions? ------------- Was that in there yesterday? Casper--WY windier than ? Down to a 20, soon to double or nothing |
Replies:
Posted By: Gahlenfr
Date Posted: October 29 2007 at 6:38pm
| I have a 2 inch drain and a 1 inch return on my 90G. I would not go a lot smaller than that. You could probably get away with 11/4 and 3/4 however. Because you do not want torque on the bulkheads and you are only looking at 300gph I would go with a 90's and spaflex pvc if it were me. |
Posted By: fj40fax
Date Posted: October 30 2007 at 2:07am
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I only have 2-1" drains on my 90 doing over 1200gph. You would be
fine with even 1-1" i would think, but I would do 2 just for the
department of redundancy department. I would put two small
overflow boxes in each top corner maybe 3" - 3.5" square, just enough
room to get a down-turned street L in there. It would help
maximize floor space. Run the rest of the durso parts outside the
tank by the wall. I can help you make the boxes if u can get some
material.
------------- Fax 318-3632 90g 2x250W 14kK MH Sump, Fuge, G3, UV, O3, ACIII Pleasant Grove, UT Across State Street from the Purple Turtle Adjustments and Massages for Frags! |
Posted By: rdbrown
Date Posted: October 30 2007 at 8:46pm
| http://utahaquatics.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=5198 - Check out the laser cut overflow boxes I made for my 180. I used 1/8" ABS instead of Acrylic because of the texture of the ABS. A 4' x 8' sheet of ABS is less then $35.00. |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: October 30 2007 at 8:52pm
Those are sweet!
Mike -------------  |
rdbrown wrote:Posted By: fj40fax
Date Posted: October 30 2007 at 8:54pm
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Those are sweet, have rdbrown cut them for you. Just make them
shallow, no need to have them go all the way to the floor if you are
not drilling the bottom.
------------- Fax 318-3632 90g 2x250W 14kK MH Sump, Fuge, G3, UV, O3, ACIII Pleasant Grove, UT Across State Street from the Purple Turtle Adjustments and Massages for Frags! |
Posted By: rdbrown
Date Posted: October 30 2007 at 9:07pm
| I think I would make them go the full height of the tank for cosmetic reasons, but I would also drill my holes as low as I could on the back of the tank. |
Posted By: trunks
Date Posted: October 30 2007 at 9:28pm
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I'm not sure if this is actually a good design/idea, but I like the way this guy's overflow looks. It takes up much less tank space than the usual overflow box. I was actually thinking of doing something similar in the future. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1207853 - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1207853 I am curious if this design would be loud or have any other downsides, I assume the more experienced tank plumbers would have a better idea? |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: October 30 2007 at 9:36pm
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Interesting. I would guess that it is somewhat noisy but would also like to hear from someone more knowledgeable with this.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: fj40fax
Date Posted: October 30 2007 at 11:03pm
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that is similar to the one on my 20g and, yes, it is noisy.
------------- Fax 318-3632 90g 2x250W 14kK MH Sump, Fuge, G3, UV, O3, ACIII Pleasant Grove, UT Across State Street from the Purple Turtle Adjustments and Massages for Frags! |
Posted By: Crazy Tarzan
Date Posted: October 31 2007 at 10:38am
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I really like the look of the overflow boxes rdbrown made, but I like the simplicity of the other overflow. Hmm.... now I need to decide where on the back I want to drill my holes--and whether together or apart. I also am debating if I should run 2 one inch pipes or two one and a quarter inch pipes. One benefit I saw to putting in overflow boxes is the ability to glue ledges or small pieces on the outside of them for supports--be it corals, powerheads, liverock brace.... ------------- Was that in there yesterday? Casper--WY windier than ? Down to a 20, soon to double or nothing |