View Full Version : Time to Drill...I think.
rayoto
03/26/2008, 06:40 AM
Q1: I think I've decided to somehow drill my 55g tank for an overflow. I've read that it can be done with water in the tank, or should I go ahead and drain it down to about 1/3 water ( to avoid another cycle) I only have turbo snails, hermits and live rock.
Q2: Once drilled what size overflow and return pump should I be looking at? FWIW...I'll be making my extra 20g into a sump.
Q3: Will the sump return pump and a closed loop system ( like Melevs) be too much for my 55g?
I'm starting to wish my 55g was a 90....
serpentman
03/26/2008, 07:54 AM
Q1: I have drilled many 55g's and have only had 1 crack. I really recommend that you empty this tank. Especially if you are looking to drill one of the large panes. It is MUCH easier to lay the tank on its side and drill down rather than at a 90 angle. Two things to consider, you have to keep the bit constantly wet and the drill has to be true, no angle. Also, worst case, if it cracks you don't get the added bonus of water on your floor.
Q2: If you are only going with one drain, I would go 1.5". Probably a Mag 7 for a return pump.
Q3: Not if you plan on going SPS.
Tswifty
03/26/2008, 08:09 AM
I would use 1" bulkheads, and you could use a step up plumbing system similiar to the one I have on my tank.... 1" bulkhead which adapts to 1-1/2" PVC.
1-1/2" PVC will allow you greater flow, However if you are not maximizing it (creating a syphon)... I would use 1" plumbing, because the 1-1/2" can be a bit loud.
I currently have a HOB overflow hooked up to 1-1/2" PVC and do not like the noise of the water traveling down the pipes. I have a standpipe which vents the air and prevents gurgling so that is not the issue. If I decide to go back and redo my 55 after my 90g project is complete, I will use 1" PVC.
Here's some ideas on a sump, return plumbing layout... I used a ViaAqua return pump with clear plastic tubing that T'd off to 2 returns in the display. I like this setup, bcause you can use a SCWD as your T which will alternate the flow pattern of the water in the display tank.
The sump was created out of a 20g long aquarium, and was originally intended to be used as a sump/fuge combination. The center section was the refugium area which held sand and cheato. The eggcrate wall kept the cheato out of the return pump, and the small glass wall kept the sand out.
Eventually I wanted a larger fuge and opted to add the plastic tote to the system.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/16544920g_Sump_Hardware.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/165449New_Filtration_System.jpg
Here's a pic where you can see the return outlets in the tank, along with the positioning of the powerheads. There's no skimmer in the sump, because this was taken fairly recently after I had begun stripping down the tank.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/16544955g1.jpg
Hope that helps give you some ideas.
Tswifty
03/26/2008, 08:12 AM
A closed loop system may be a little much depending on what you are trying to keep in the 55. I used 2 Koralia #3's in my tank... Combing that with the flow from the return pump, and it was more than enough flow.
rayoto
03/26/2008, 09:51 AM
Thanks again for the info.
Serpentman: I do intend going SPS to start. After posting this I purchased a Mag 9.5 from anothe RC member. I will just have to tame the flow down with a ball valve.
Tswifty8: I too like the SCWD design and intend to go that route. I'll probably tee off the return back into the sump for better flow control. I'm interested in the Koralia's too. Will look further into that.
rayoto
03/26/2008, 09:55 AM
Tswifty8: What overflow box is that?
Tswifty
03/26/2008, 10:06 AM
Just a cheap no name one I purchased off of Ebay... I can't even remember the sellers name. It has one 1" bulkhead in the back of it... Here's how I plumbed it... like I said though I would use 1" plumbing if I could do it over:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/165449Plumbing.jpg
It's a nice size, and doesn't take up much room in the display at all. Also there was enough room, and I added a second "U" tube to increase the flow because my return pump was a little too strong. After I added the second tube it was a perfect match.
If you use hard plumbing for the return line, you may want to look at melev's closed loop design on his 29g reef tank for how he attaches the SCWD to hard plumbing so it can be removed easily for cleaning.
serpentman
03/26/2008, 10:54 AM
If you have a little excess flow, you can "T" off the return line and plumb a manifold to feed reactors, etc.
rayoto
03/26/2008, 01:12 PM
Planning ahead...I like it.
SteveNMegz
03/26/2008, 08:20 PM
definatly drain it, we've seen one crack before and they shatter into little peices.
sjm817
03/26/2008, 09:27 PM
CAUTION!
Some 55Gs are tempered on all 5 sides and are not drillable. Perfecto lists 55s as tempered on all sides. I believe the petsmart tanks are as well (may be the same tanks). Not sure about AGA.
serpentman
03/26/2008, 09:29 PM
AGA are typically only tempered on the bottom pane.
sjm817
03/26/2008, 09:32 PM
Perfecto
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/Original_Tarheel/MarinelandTankSpecs.jpg
AGA
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/Cheerleader555240/aga.jpg
rayoto
03/27/2008, 08:25 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12181168#post12181168 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty8
I would use 1" bulkheads, and you could use a step up plumbing system similiar to the one I have on my tank.... 1" bulkhead which adapts to 1-1/2" PVC.
1-1/2" PVC will allow you greater flow, However if you are not maximizing it (creating a syphon)... I would use 1" plumbing, because the 1-1/2" can be a bit loud.
I currently have a HOB overflow hooked up to 1-1/2" PVC and do not like the noise of the water traveling down the pipes. I have a standpipe which vents the air and prevents gurgling so that is not the issue. If I decide to go back and redo my 55 after my 90g project is complete, I will use 1" PVC.
Here's some ideas on a sump, return plumbing layout... I used a ViaAqua return pump with clear plastic tubing that T'd off to 2 returns in the display. I like this setup, bcause you can use a SCWD as your T which will alternate the flow pattern of the water in the display tank.
The sump was created out of a 20g long aquarium, and was originally intended to be used as a sump/fuge combination. The center section was the refugium area which held sand and cheato. The eggcrate wall kept the cheato out of the return pump, and the small glass wall kept the sand out.
Eventually I wanted a larger fuge and opted to add the plastic tote to the system.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/16544920g_Sump_Hardware.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/165449New_Filtration_System.jpg
Here's a pic where you can see the return outlets in the tank, along with the positioning of the powerheads. There's no skimmer in the sump, because this was taken fairly recently after I had begun stripping down the tank.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/16544955g1.jpg
Hope that helps give you some ideas.
To side track my thread a little... The 20gal I was going to use as a sump in't going to work out. I found a 10g I think I'll use and another 5g I think I'll tie off for a refuge. Also, I made an identity mistake thinking my HOB was a Berlin..It is in fact a crappy SeaClone 100. If I Mod it will it suffice in the sump? The max flow is only 295gph.
Tswifty
03/27/2008, 09:23 AM
I personally hate seaclones... but it may be able to get you by for a bit. There are some mods you can do, but I don't think there is much evidence that they boost performance all that well.
My advice would be to begin looking for a replacement ASAP. Check out the used equipment for sale forum on here... There are a lot of ASM skimmers that have already been modded for sale for around $200 or less.
rayoto
03/27/2008, 09:29 AM
Thanks..I've been looking for a few days now. Was wondering about the ASM. I'll keep looking then.
Tswifty
03/27/2008, 09:33 AM
I wouldn't purchase an ASM new personally, because of all the mods that need to be done in order to maximize them... That being said, I've heard they work quite well once modded, and if you can find one that's all ready been modded out... I'd go for it...
rayoto
03/27/2008, 02:05 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12181075#post12181075 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by serpentman
Q1: I have drilled many 55g's and have only had 1 crack. I really recommend that you empty this tank. Especially if you are looking to drill one of the large panes. It is MUCH easier to lay the tank on its side and drill down rather than at a 90 angle. Two things to consider, you have to keep the bit constantly wet and the drill has to be true, no angle. Also, worst case, if it cracks you don't get the added bonus of water on your floor.
Q2: If you are only going with one drain, I would go 1.5". Probably a Mag 7 for a return pump.
Q3: Not if you plan on going SPS.
What is involved in draining a setup that has been running for several years. I was thinking I could syphon the water out, remove the LR, carefully remove the sand bed...Will everything be okay, or will I have to start from scratch...Re-cycle the tank I mean.
rayoto
03/27/2008, 02:34 PM
BTW: SJM817...Thanks for the chart.
rayoto
03/27/2008, 08:56 PM
bump
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