RR tanks

gauma369 · 08/12/2009, 01:30 PM

This may seem like dumb question but reef ready tanks have 2 holes in the over flow box why is that? Is one for the drain down to the sump and one for return from sump? Or are both holes for drain and then seperate plumbing brings water back to display tank? thanks

EverettReef · 08/12/2009, 01:40 PM

Yep, one drain, one return

der_wille_zur_macht · 08/12/2009, 01:42 PM

And typically, the reef keeper would plumb the return up over the overflow wall - usually with a piece of PVC and loc-line to go over the overflow.

Though, honestly, the drains in these tanks are pretty limiting, so IMHO depending on your needs, you might want to use both of those holes as drains and go over the back for the return.

gauma369 · 08/12/2009, 02:15 PM

thanks guys...Im finally upgrading to bigger tank and one that is reef ready. I got one hell of a deal on 120 RR tank that im picking up sat. Ill have to check the drains and see if I can work one over the top of the overflow if not I can just plumb it around the back of the tank.

transd · 08/12/2009, 02:17 PM

hummmm...never thought about that... might give that a try on my tank to increase the drain since i've had to turn down my pump with a ball valve

der_wille_zur_macht · 08/12/2009, 02:19 PM

The vast majority of "reef ready" tanks have a single 1" meant for drain, and a single 3/4" meant for return.

Return aside, a 1" drain can'd do more than 300 - 400 gph comfortably. Approaching full siphon you can get closer to 500 - 600, but that's living dangerously.

That's fine in a 30 gallon tank, but when a manufacturer sells a 120g set up like that, it's a little silly.

gauma369 · 08/12/2009, 02:26 PM

so are you saying I should just make both drains for draining? Then just run my return behind the tank? I have a mag 7 for my return pump

der_wille_zur_macht · 08/12/2009, 02:36 PM

A mag 7 will be fine on the standard configuration. However, if you were to decide you wanted more flow through the sump, you'd definitely need to use both pre-drilled holes for drains.

08/12/2009, 01:30 PM	#1
gauma369 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: PA Posts: 177	RR tanks This may seem like dumb question but reef ready tanks have 2 holes in the over flow box why is that? Is one for the drain down to the sump and one for return from sump? Or are both holes for drain and then seperate plumbing brings water back to display tank? thanks

08/12/2009, 01:40 PM	#2
EverettReef Lounge Pariah Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Everett, Wa Posts: 257	Yep, one drain, one return __________________ Bruce

08/12/2009, 01:42 PM	#3
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	And typically, the reef keeper would plumb the return up over the overflow wall - usually with a piece of PVC and loc-line to go over the overflow. Though, honestly, the drains in these tanks are pretty limiting, so IMHO depending on your needs, you might want to use both of those holes as drains and go over the back for the return. __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

08/12/2009, 02:19 PM	#6
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	The vast majority of "reef ready" tanks have a single 1" meant for drain, and a single 3/4" meant for return. Return aside, a 1" drain can'd do more than 300 - 400 gph comfortably. Approaching full siphon you can get closer to 500 - 600, but that's living dangerously. That's fine in a 30 gallon tank, but when a manufacturer sells a 120g set up like that, it's a little silly. __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

08/12/2009, 02:36 PM	#8
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	A mag 7 will be fine on the standard configuration. However, if you were to decide you wanted more flow through the sump, you'd definitely need to use both pre-drilled holes for drains. __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

08/12/2009, 02:15 PM	#4
gauma369 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: PA Posts: 177	thanks guys...Im finally upgrading to bigger tank and one that is reef ready. I got one hell of a deal on 120 RR tank that im picking up sat. Ill have to check the drains and see if I can work one over the top of the overflow if not I can just plumb it around the back of the tank.

08/12/2009, 02:17 PM	#5
transd Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 76	hummmm...never thought about that... might give that a try on my tank to increase the drain since i've had to turn down my pump with a ball valve

08/12/2009, 02:26 PM	#7
gauma369 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: PA Posts: 177	so are you saying I should just make both drains for draining? Then just run my return behind the tank? I have a mag 7 for my return pump