water return through holes in the bottom of the tank

snake · 03/28/2006, 09:18 AM

Hello i am planing a tank 43"long, 18" width, 28" high, I would like to put my water return through holes in the bottom of the tank, bottom will be 1/2" glass.

It is ok to use 3/4" Pvc for the water return ? and only two holes at both sides of the bottom ?

What is your advice ?
Please share your experience and some pics if possible

Thanks

GSchiemer · 03/28/2006, 09:40 AM

Unless the "holes in the bottom" are inside an overflow box, I'd not recommend it. Why tempt fate? If there is ever a leak, your entire tank will drain. It also makes plumbing more difficult, especially if a ball valve ever sticks, and cleaning any intake screens becomes a chore.

So, either install an overflow box or HOB overflow.

Greg

snake · 03/28/2006, 09:56 AM

Well the overflow hole will be at the left side of the tank. the holes at the bottom are the water return from the sump and for the leak risk I am considering to use check valves, so do you think check valves are not that reliable?

Runner · 03/28/2006, 10:04 AM

It isn't a matter of the check valve, but a matter of the conduit-to-tank seal not being perfect and possibly failing over time. If the leaky seal is in the bottom of the tank, then the entire tank could drain before you catch it. If the return goes up through the inside of an overflow, the worst a leaky seal will cause is to drain the water down to the top of the overflow and all the contents of the overflow itself.

I've seen it done before, but I would not personally do it.

03/28/2006, 09:18 AM	#1
snake Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Guadalajara, Mexico Posts: 242	water return through holes in the bottom of the tank Hello i am planing a tank 43"long, 18" width, 28" high, I would like to put my water return through holes in the bottom of the tank, bottom will be 1/2" glass. It is ok to use 3/4" Pvc for the water return ? and only two holes at both sides of the bottom ? What is your advice ? Please share your experience and some pics if possible Thanks

03/28/2006, 10:04 AM	#4
Runner Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 3,196 Blog Entries: 1	It isn't a matter of the check valve, but a matter of the conduit-to-tank seal not being perfect and possibly failing over time. If the leaky seal is in the bottom of the tank, then the entire tank could drain before you catch it. If the return goes up through the inside of an overflow, the worst a leaky seal will cause is to drain the water down to the top of the overflow and all the contents of the overflow itself. I've seen it done before, but I would not personally do it. __________________ -Scott "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." -George Orwell Current Tank Info: 24G Reef cube with Cree LED DIY Retrofit

03/28/2006, 09:40 AM	#2
GSchiemer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 879	Unless the "holes in the bottom" are inside an overflow box, I'd not recommend it. Why tempt fate? If there is ever a leak, your entire tank will drain. It also makes plumbing more difficult, especially if a ball valve ever sticks, and cleaning any intake screens becomes a chore. So, either install an overflow box or HOB overflow. Greg

03/28/2006, 09:56 AM	#3
snake Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Guadalajara, Mexico Posts: 242	Well the overflow hole will be at the left side of the tank. the holes at the bottom are the water return from the sump and for the leak risk I am considering to use check valves, so do you think check valves are not that reliable?