My newest tank!

mcox3

mcox3

Veritas Aequitas
Dec 26, 2006
929
0
0
39
Phoenix, AZ
I purchased a 84x33x33 acrylic tank the other day. Yes thats 400g!

Its already drilled. It has 2 holes in the overflows and 2 outside of the overflow box.

I'm not sure how I should plumb this tank. It looks like the previous owner had the two holes inside the overflow box as his return lines and the ones in the display tank as the drains.

I'm not sure if this will work for me. I'm afraid that during a power outage, all the water will drain out. Unless I run pipes to the surface which I dont want to do.

I'm thinking I should have the holes in the overflow box be my drains and then run my returns in the display with a check valve to keep it from flowing backwards.

Any suggestions?

I've attached images to help you see what i'm talking about

400G1.JPG 400G2.JPG
 
IMO, you never want to use any drilled holes outside of the overflow box for a drain. In the event of a power outage, the tank will drain empty. If you only drain from the overflow bow, the water level only falls down to the top of the overflow.

How many holes drilled inside the overflow box? How many over flow boxes? i'll find some pics of mine and get them up as an example in a few.
 
Well, photobucket is under maintenance so no pics right now. I can get those up later if you want.

My 220 has some extra holes drilled in it outside of the over flow boxes also. You could use them for extra return line if you wanted to add an extra pump for extra jets. Myself, I put bulkheads in them, then plugged one and put a 3 inch piece of pipe in the other and painted it black (black gravel). This way you can't see it because I have a rock in front of it, but it stands above the gravel. Then I put a 1" ball valve on the bottom and a threaded end. When I do a w/c I thread a garden hose on there open the valve and let'er rip. Makes w/c a breeze and much faster than a siphon.
 
Nice sized tank. What size is the sump?
 
Alan R said:
IMO, you never want to use any drilled holes outside of the overflow box for a drain. In the event of a power outage, the tank will drain empty. If you only drain from the overflow bow, the water level only falls down to the top of the overflow.

How many holes drilled inside the overflow box? How many over flow boxes? i'll find some pics of mine and get them up as an example in a few.
Click to expand...

There are only two holes in the overflow box. Only one overflow box, a very large one though.

I guess my issue is the return lines, because the holes in the overflows are meant to be drains.
So do I drill more holes in the overflow for my returns? Or do I plumb it out of the tank, up, over and in?

I just dont understand why he would plumb it that way.

rbishop said:
Nice sized tank. What size is the sump?
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Thanks, I'm going to use (2)55's

DominionDesign said:
Awesome tank, I agree with Mgamer, check valves can fail and 400 gallons is an awful lot of water on the floor.
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Really? I had no idea they could fail. How often do check valves fail?

Wouldnt be the first time- unfortunately.

jm1212 said:
cant wait to see it set up
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Me too!

DrVader said:
Looks like a great start! What was the theme/stock going to be? I'm with mgamer, it would be easier (and more reliable with power outage) to plug them.
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Thanks. Stocking is going to be my Silver aro, RTC, TSN, Marbled Catfish and a Clown Knife. This is going to hold my big cats until I can get my bigger tank.

I like the idea of having the "outside" holes as drains for water changes. I have something like this on my 210, but instead of being drilled, I just made a DIY overflow out of pvc running to the backyard.
 
mcox3 said:
There are only two holes in the overflow box. Only one overflow box, a very large one though.

I guess my issue is the return lines, because the holes in the overflows are meant to be drains.
So do I drill more holes in the overflow for my returns? Or do I plumb it out of the tank, up, over and in?
Click to expand...

You have options. You will need to use both holes in the over flow for draining as you mentioned.

You could use the hole outside the box for returns and use check valves. I have check valves on mine. Regardless of what you do, you will need check valves on the returns OR drill holes in them to break a siphon. If the power fail the water in the return lines will back flow creating a siphon.
Yes, check valves could fail, but an airplane could also crash into your house and then you won't have a tank anyway. I know the odds on one are more likely than the other, but still, come on!
Check valves work best when vertical as opposed to horizontal.

You you plug the holes and drill more in the OF box. You will still need check valves or drill holes to break a siphon.

You could plumb it up the back and over. Mine came with an set up like that for more jets. I'll take a picture of it later. I have to go to work.

There are many more options. It's all person preference.
 
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