Overflow/plumbing help

Jackd1987 · 04/14/2012, 04:35 PM

Hey all, looking for some guidance here. I'm trying to figure out how I should set up my new tank. It's a 40b tank I bought used that had two holes already drilled in it.

Trying to decide how to use those two holes, if I should drill more, or what.

I was thinking of using one with a glass-holes style over flow and the other as a return. I was also thinking about maybe setting it up as beananimal or something, but the holes are pretty low, so I'm not sure how it'll look and work out.

Tank with bulkheads in:

Showing how low holes are. It seems low to me, but what do I know:

Someone help me please, I'm useless in my own hahaha...

madean · 04/14/2012, 07:05 PM

Looks like they were used as returns and yeah a little low, but nothing you can do about it now right. I would bet the previous owner used an overflow box of some sort that utilizes the reverse "J" tube for a syphon overflow to the sump. You could do the same thing which is probably the easiest method if your not handy with drilling glass. To use a bean overflow you would need another three holes and to silicone an overflow in front of the three holes. So if your handy go for it. Read up on how to drill holes in glass and check out u tube for DIY demonstrations, otherwise buy a commercially made box as mentioned earlier. CPR makes them, a lot of companies make them. Do a search for overflows. You need to figure out your comfort level first and go from there. I can tell you its easy to drill glass, but whats easy to one person might not be easy for another person. Grammer isn't a strong point for me, but I can calculate the amount of inductance, reistance, voltage, and current in a light circuit if I needed to. Go figure right.
nellecat started a thread called "new to sumps! I need help" I gave, what I think, a detailed (might not be lol) response on how to calculate water volume and loss to back syphoning during a power outage. This idea on how to calculate water volume for a specific area/volume will help you plan where to put an overflow box in relation to the return lines (holes already drilled in your tank) and how much space you will need in your sump. Give that thread a read and if you have questions pm me.

Playa-1 · 04/14/2012, 07:36 PM

I would probably set up a dual reverse durso drain system and use an elevated pvc pipe skimmer connecting the two holes. Then bring my return line over the top.

Jackd1987 · 04/14/2012, 09:55 PM

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm trying to avoid using a hob overflow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Playa-1

I would probably set up a dual reverse durso drain system and use an elevated pvc pipe skimmer connecting the two holes. Then bring my return line over the top.

Is this what you mean?

Think I need one on both sides, or put it on one side and return on the other?

Jackd1987 · 04/15/2012, 08:19 AM

Bump

ek9vboi · 04/15/2012, 10:19 AM

Use those openings for returns or a closed loop. Drill new holes in the middle and get the glass holes kit. Problem solved, it will look great and you won't have to use power heads in the tank.

Playa-1 · 04/15/2012, 01:24 PM

It would be something along those lines. But I was thinking more along the lines of a PVC pipe converted to a surface skimmer for the inside of the tank. I saw a pic of one that was done like that a while back and it was pretty sweet. Instead of elbows down in a shallow overflow box the elbows went up and connected to the two drain holes by a piece of PVC pipe that was modified to act as the surface skimmer. The PVC pipe set the water level for the tank and took up minimal real estate in the DT. The exterior would be set up like in your diagram with an adjustable air vent at the top. Here's a few links to give you a better idea of what I was referring too.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...&pagenumber=18

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1251168

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1257783

bishopofchaos · 04/15/2012, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Playa-1

It would be something along those lines. But I was thinking more along the lines of a PVC pipe converted to a surface skimmer for the inside of the tank. I saw a pic of one that was done like that a while back and it was pretty sweet. Instead of elbows down in a shallow overflow box the elbows went up and connected to the two drain holes by a piece of PVC pipe that was modified to act as the surface skimmer. The PVC pipe set the water level for the tank and took up minimal real estate in the DT.

How I got my tank, weird hole placement....Set up just like Playa-1 is saying here and it works fantastic.

04/14/2012, 04:35 PM	#1
Jackd1987 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Mass. Posts: 76	Overflow/plumbing help Hey all, looking for some guidance here. I'm trying to figure out how I should set up my new tank. It's a 40b tank I bought used that had two holes already drilled in it. Trying to decide how to use those two holes, if I should drill more, or what. I was thinking of using one with a glass-holes style over flow and the other as a return. I was also thinking about maybe setting it up as beananimal or something, but the holes are pretty low, so I'm not sure how it'll look and work out. Tank with bulkheads in: Showing how low holes are. It seems low to me, but what do I know: Someone help me please, I'm useless in my own hahaha...

04/14/2012, 07:05 PM	#2
madean Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 994	Looks like they were used as returns and yeah a little low, but nothing you can do about it now right. I would bet the previous owner used an overflow box of some sort that utilizes the reverse "J" tube for a syphon overflow to the sump. You could do the same thing which is probably the easiest method if your not handy with drilling glass. To use a bean overflow you would need another three holes and to silicone an overflow in front of the three holes. So if your handy go for it. Read up on how to drill holes in glass and check out u tube for DIY demonstrations, otherwise buy a commercially made box as mentioned earlier. CPR makes them, a lot of companies make them. Do a search for overflows. You need to figure out your comfort level first and go from there. I can tell you its easy to drill glass, but whats easy to one person might not be easy for another person. Grammer isn't a strong point for me, but I can calculate the amount of inductance, reistance, voltage, and current in a light circuit if I needed to. Go figure right. nellecat started a thread called "new to sumps! I need help" I gave, what I think, a detailed (might not be lol) response on how to calculate water volume and loss to back syphoning during a power outage. This idea on how to calculate water volume for a specific area/volume will help you plan where to put an overflow box in relation to the return lines (holes already drilled in your tank) and how much space you will need in your sump. Give that thread a read and if you have questions pm me.

04/14/2012, 07:36 PM	#3
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I would probably set up a dual reverse durso drain system and use an elevated pvc pipe skimmer connecting the two holes. Then bring my return line over the top.

04/15/2012, 08:19 AM	#5
Jackd1987 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Mass. Posts: 76	Bump

04/15/2012, 10:19 AM	#6
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	Use those openings for returns or a closed loop. Drill new holes in the middle and get the glass holes kit. Problem solved, it will look great and you won't have to use power heads in the tank.

04/15/2012, 01:24 PM	#7
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	It would be something along those lines. But I was thinking more along the lines of a PVC pipe converted to a surface skimmer for the inside of the tank. I saw a pic of one that was done like that a while back and it was pretty sweet. Instead of elbows down in a shallow overflow box the elbows went up and connected to the two drain holes by a piece of PVC pipe that was modified to act as the surface skimmer. The PVC pipe set the water level for the tank and took up minimal real estate in the DT. The exterior would be set up like in your diagram with an adjustable air vent at the top. Here's a few links to give you a better idea of what I was referring too. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...&pagenumber=18 http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1251168 http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1257783