Help with plumbing, overflows, closed loop, etc...

jusbechillin · 09/14/2008, 12:09 PM

Okay so today I picked up a new tank. Pictures are below. Sorry if I ramble but here it goes.....

I really only bought the new setup because I really preffer its stand & canopy over my current stand... I got the tank(125), stand, canopy, NuClear canister filter, AquaC remora skimmer, UV light, cheapo lights, 7 fish, and a big bad pump for $500!

Plans were to put my existing tank on the new stand and part the rest out. Then I started reading up on Closed Loop systems. The current tank has 2 built in overflows. The new tank has no overflows but has four holes drilled at the bottom of the tank. SO..... I am not willing to give up a built in overflow (wont do a HOB one)... I really want closed loop too!

I was told a closed loop needs 3 drilled holes (one draining the water and two returning it to the tank). Is this correct? Also can I do it from the bottom of the tank or does it need to be from the back?

Using the four holes in the new tank could I manage:
One for outflow of an overflow I will build and return the water over the back of the tank.
One for outflow Closed loop and the other two for bringing water back in?

Holes are drilled 4.5" from the back and side of the tank (see pic) one in each corner. The other two are centered (from the front and back of the tank) and about 17.5" from the sides.

Going to go with a Reef Tank.

Should I forget about the closed loop and use my current tank or can I make the new one work with closed loop and overflows?

THANKS!

jusbechillin · 09/14/2008, 02:23 PM

bump

Bonneville08 · 09/14/2008, 02:29 PM

Hello again,
I would keep the old aquarium. Your overflows should provide better oxygen exchange after you have lowered the tee in the overflow so that the middle of the tee is about 3 to 4 inches below normal tank level. That's my $0.02 worth.

gnsrfaster · 09/14/2008, 02:50 PM

What about the whole closed loop thing? Dont think its worth going through the hassle?

One Dumm Hikk · 09/14/2008, 07:20 PM

Use the 125 with the overflow boxes in it. On the sides of the overflow boxes drill bulkhead holes on the inside side of them. One at the bottom, one at the top on each overflow box. One on each side would the inlet and an outlet for the CLS. The pump could be mounted in the stand and the plumbing pipes would come out of the overflow box, down to the pump, get pumped back up and down into the overflow box and back into the tank.

You would add some head pressure that way with the extra piping and elbows but if you decided after having it done that you didn't like it, you would simply replace the overflow boxes or plug off the bulkheads.

Contact the person that you got the new setup from, see who drilled the holes in the bottom. If he drilled them, you could always drill more holes and put overflow boxes in the new tank as well......

09/14/2008, 12:09 PM	#1
jusbechillin Moved On Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 118	Help with plumbing, overflows, closed loop, etc... Okay so today I picked up a new tank. Pictures are below. Sorry if I ramble but here it goes..... I really only bought the new setup because I really preffer its stand & canopy over my current stand... I got the tank(125), stand, canopy, NuClear canister filter, AquaC remora skimmer, UV light, cheapo lights, 7 fish, and a big bad pump for $500! Plans were to put my existing tank on the new stand and part the rest out. Then I started reading up on Closed Loop systems. The current tank has 2 built in overflows. The new tank has no overflows but has four holes drilled at the bottom of the tank. SO..... I am not willing to give up a built in overflow (wont do a HOB one)... I really want closed loop too! I was told a closed loop needs 3 drilled holes (one draining the water and two returning it to the tank). Is this correct? Also can I do it from the bottom of the tank or does it need to be from the back? Using the four holes in the new tank could I manage: One for outflow of an overflow I will build and return the water over the back of the tank. One for outflow Closed loop and the other two for bringing water back in? Holes are drilled 4.5" from the back and side of the tank (see pic) one in each corner. The other two are centered (from the front and back of the tank) and about 17.5" from the sides. Going to go with a Reef Tank. Should I forget about the closed loop and use my current tank or can I make the new one work with closed loop and overflows? THANKS! Last edited by jusbechillin; 09/14/2008 at 12:35 PM.

09/14/2008, 02:29 PM	#3
Bonneville08 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Goodyear, AZ Posts: 513	Hello again, I would keep the old aquarium. Your overflows should provide better oxygen exchange after you have lowered the tee in the overflow so that the middle of the tee is about 3 to 4 inches below normal tank level. That's my $0.02 worth. __________________ Edge you mah cating myself Check out my gallery if you desire. Current Tank Info: 50 gallon mix of soft, LPS and SPS, two croceas, two maximas, a few fish, turf filter with skimmer, MH and PC lighting, chiller, Calcium Reactor and wave2k.

09/14/2008, 02:23 PM	#2
jusbechillin Moved On Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 118	bump

09/14/2008, 02:50 PM	#4
gnsrfaster Moved On Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gilbert Posts: 184	What about the whole closed loop thing? Dont think its worth going through the hassle?

09/14/2008, 07:20 PM	#5
One Dumm Hikk Moved On Join Date: May 2008 Location: Phenix City Alabama Posts: 739	Use the 125 with the overflow boxes in it. On the sides of the overflow boxes drill bulkhead holes on the inside side of them. One at the bottom, one at the top on each overflow box. One on each side would the inlet and an outlet for the CLS. The pump could be mounted in the stand and the plumbing pipes would come out of the overflow box, down to the pump, get pumped back up and down into the overflow box and back into the tank. You would add some head pressure that way with the extra piping and elbows but if you decided after having it done that you didn't like it, you would simply replace the overflow boxes or plug off the bulkheads. Contact the person that you got the new setup from, see who drilled the holes in the bottom. If he drilled them, you could always drill more holes and put overflow boxes in the new tank as well......