Plumbing Question(s)

R

Rudy

Over my head
Dec 3, 2002
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Hi! My 125 currently has 2 - 1 3/4" holes in the rear glass panel about 4" from the top and from each end of the tank. I would have had the bottom drilled for the overflows, but is tempered so had to resort to using the back glass.

I now plan (scheduled for next weekend) to have some holes drilled in the back for the closed loop system. Please chime in if my train of thought is off.

One central output hole. Height along back glass and diameter of hole I am unsure about?

Two return holes (one at each end) also height along back glass and diameter of holes unsure about?

Lastly, where should I plan for the return(s) from the sump?

Should I plan on one centrally located return or two?

While I am having the close loop holes drilled, should I have the return(s) for the sump drilled or use and overhanging difusser of some type?

I know it is a bunch of questions, but I do appreciate the help and knowledge from people with more experience than I.
 
Gbolton,

Thanks for the advice. Is your recommendation based on just having less holes to maintain the integrity of the rear wall of glass?
 
You could actually do a closed loop without having to drill the tank at all....

But if you do, I suggest using more than one hole for the pump input also.

And you dont want the sump return going in through a hole, you always want that to go over the top.
 
Originally posted by slipknottin
You could actually do a closed loop without having to drill the tank at all....
Click to expand...

How so?

But if you do, I suggest using more than one hole for the pump input also.
Click to expand...

Oh do you mean two outlets and two inlets? If so how (where) would you recommend they are positioned? Outlets, low and more central, inlets higher and more lateral?

And you dont want the sump return going in through a hole, you always want that to go over the top.
Click to expand...

Please explain the reasoning of this?
 
Last edited:
Well if you plumbed a 'loop' over the back of the tank, with a tee near the top so you could prime it, then you can have a closed loop without any drilling.

Think of how a canister filter works.

http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/tank/closedloop.html


If you do want to drill the tank, you could use one input hole, but I suggest you make it larger than the return holes, say a 1" input, and 2 3/4" returns.

As far as the return from the sump goes, if power goes out, the water will siphon back down the return line, so they need to be at the top of the water line. Its just easier to do that when the plumbing goes over the top of the tank.
 
Originally posted by slipknottin

As far as the return from the sump goes, if power goes out, the water will siphon back down the return line, so they need to be at the top of the water line. Its just easier to do that when the plumbing goes over the top of the tank.
Click to expand...

I thought a check valve could eliminate the back flow worry?

Want over flow drilled for certain. Want as little hardware as possible in my tank.
 
Originally posted by Rudy


I thought a check valve could eliminate the back flow worry?

Want over flow drilled for certain. Want as little hardware as possible in my tank.
Click to expand...

Checkvalves are prone to failure...

The overflow to the sump should be drilled, as siphon overflows are far less reliable.
 
Originally posted by slipknottin


Checkvalves are prone to failure...

The overflow to the sump should be drilled, as siphon overflows are far less reliable.
Click to expand...


I guess I'll go with an over the top sump return then, unless others feel strongly otherwise. However, for the closed loop I am sticking with drilling of tank. Plus since it is closed a power failure will not be a potential flood.

Thanks for the advice.
 
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