sump plumbing question

[blakemiller1981]

Ok so i have a 125 tank with a 1" bulkhead in the upper left portion of the tank and thats it. I am not 100% sure what its for. Im guessing That i will need an overflow box to hang on the back and then the hole is where i will send the return to. Is this correct?

I have a 600ghp hob overflow box and a 500 gph return pump. Is that all i will need well besides the pipe or tubing?

This will be my first time doing a sump so any info is greatly appreciated.

[billdogg]

I would use that as my overfow to the sump - just put a pvc 90 in it with enough straight pvc to make it go up to the level you want the tank at. The return from the sump can be over the top.

JM.02

[HKAVR45]

Alot of people use the HOB overflow box without any issues, but for the most part this is because they don't have a hole already drilled in the tank like you do.

I would take advantage of the bulkhead and in addition to what billdogg suggested I would look into building or buying a small acrylic overflow box to mount inside the tank.

The only reason I would use the pre-drilled hole for the return is because 1" is a little small to accommodate 500-600gph. Maybe someone with a little more experience can chime in here.

[captsluggo]

HOB overflows can (will) be troubling eventually. A single 1" is not much for 125 Gal, and doesn't allow for much error. You can check the head loss calculator to estimate the flow rate for your pump. A 500 GPH pump can be considerably less with piping and head loss.
I have found that returns over the top let you drill a small anti- siphon hole (ever so slightly above water line and aimed down at the water) and makes for easier mods down the line. Advance planning and testing of potential spillage at this stage of setup is a good idea. Also consider drilling more/ larger holes, you may be glad you did!
Captsluggo

[mike_dani]

Originally Posted by captsluggo

HOB overflows can (will) be troubling eventually. A single 1" is not much for 125 Gal, and doesn't allow for much error.Captsluggo

I have a HOB on my 110, with it I have two 1" PVC going to the sump and a mag 12 return works really well. What I would like you to take away is I am at 110G and you are at 125 but going to have half the turnover.

My tank is not drilled because I am a sissy and didnt want to break it, I have a a CPR overflow (the biggest one they make) as far as the return I have mine going over the edge back into the tank with a small hole in it to prevent the auto drain into the sump......hope this helps and if you needs pics let me know.

[spleify]

Can we see a pic of the back of the tank to get a better idea of what we are talking about here
billdogs idea of a 90 for draining is a good one, but the big draw back to that style is the noise it produces. It will drive you batty, because of the slurping, unless it is pointed down, with a hole drilled in the top and a piece of 1/4 in airline tubing is installed.

HOB over flows get a pretty bad rap. I ran one on a tank for 4 years before I tore that tank down, and that OF box has been on another hobbiests tank for 2 years now.

Generally a 600 GPH overflow and a 500 GPH return will be good and will give you 4 times turn over through the sump per hour, whick IMO is perfect.

See if you can post up a pic of the tank though, so we can see what you have.

HTH

good luck

[blakemiller1981]

so if the one hole isnt enough what about using that and the HOB for my overflows?

and ill try and get a picture up tonight sometime.

[blakemiller1981]

well a little later than the next night but hey here are the pictures. any ideas guys (or gals)[IMG][/IMG]

[blakemiller1981]

and one more. im not the best cameraman sorry

[IMG][/IMG]

[blakemiller1981]

oh and the wite thing inside the bulkhead is removable its just there to keep debris out kinda thing