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Unread 03/04/2014, 11:27 AM   #1
catfishmatt
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To drill or not to drill?

I'm getting ready to set up my 150 gallon 5x2x2 and I'm having a hard time deciding if I should drill my returns? The tank has a center overflow with two 21/4 holes which I was going to run herbi drain. The questin is I don't want pipes coming up over the top. I have a buddy that works for a glass company so he will drill the holes for me, I'm just not sure how many I need? And where I should put them? I have a reeflo dart and plan on a manifold for calcium reactor, GAC and GFO. Any thoughts or ideas please help.


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Unread 03/04/2014, 11:39 AM   #2
RedStangGA
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Drill. Definitely stick to the herbie drain idea and drill your return(s).

On my 60 I drilled the return on the back wall but still in the over flow to keep it hidden. You might be able to drill a single return along the back wall and split it to provide flow to either side of the overflow. This is assuming your other holes are through the bottom.


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Unread 03/04/2014, 11:53 AM   #3
catfishmatt
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Both holes are indeed on the bottom. I have more than enough gph I plan on two
Islands for my rock work. I was thinking two for sure but 4 returns for some reason
Is sitting on my left shoulder saying do it! Do it! Be man!


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Unread 03/05/2014, 08:46 PM   #4
catfishmatt
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Anybody have a reason why I should plumb my returns over the top? Instead of drilling the through the back wall.


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Unread 03/05/2014, 09:50 PM   #5
ca1ore
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Aesthetics! I just HATE having pipes coming over the back of my tanks. I go for the drill option every time. Not sure why you'd need more than a single return hole. I generally drill the back wall behind the overflow.


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Unread 03/05/2014, 09:57 PM   #6
catfishmatt
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Just because with a 5 foot tank I just like the added water move ment.
As of now I have an mp40 one one side and the other side I have a wp40
And I think I'm going to get ride of the mp40 and add a second wp40 I
Like them better than the mp40!


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Unread 03/06/2014, 12:25 PM   #7
5pacey
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Quote:
Originally Posted by catfishmatt View Post
Just because with a 5 foot tank I just like the added water move ment.
As of now I have an mp40 one one side and the other side I have a wp40
And I think I'm going to get ride of the mp40 and add a second wp40 I
Like them better than the mp40!
If not behind the overflow then drill two at the opposite sides of the back wall in the corners up high (but watch to make sure its not too high to put the bulkhead . You can then angle the flow towards the center (overflow), from both ends of the tank. Its sort of what I did except my overflow is in the corner (on a 90 Gal), so I drilled under the center brace up as high as it was feasible, and then in the corner opposite to where the overflow is. Have flow directed toward the overflow with LocLine.

Spacey


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Unread 03/06/2014, 01:12 PM   #8
catfishmatt
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That sounds really good! I think that's what I will do thank you for ideas guys keep them
It will probably be a week or so before my buddy can get over here.


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