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Post by sophelia76 on Jun 30, 2011 12:39:06 GMT -8
I'm trying to figure out plumbing for my 300g tank (and I'm very confused). We bought the tank used and the previous owner was running it on a canister filter (yikes!). It has dual overflows. One overflow has 3 x1" and 1x 1 1/2" holes drilled. The other has 2x 1" and 1x 1 1/2" holes. I will need to make some of these larger. Do you think that enlarging a hole is any different/more risky than drilling a new hole? I'm planning to make a durso standpipe for each overflow for the drain, so the tank will have 2 drains and 5 returns. I have 2x 2100 gph submersible pumps for the returns. What size bulkheads would you use for drains and returns? Any recommendations for what to read to figure out how to calculate the flow I need? I also need suggestions for which model of Tunze to run for circulation (there are so many!). I've tried to ask a few questions on the large reef forum of reef central, but no responses...thank you for everyone here who's helped Dan and I out!
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Post by Richard on Jun 30, 2011 13:17:32 GMT -8
Is that 2x2100 gph after taking into consideration the height differential? It would be nicer to have more drains for a tank that size but if that's not possible I would use at least 1.5 inch piping if not bigger. Also if a quiet overflow is a concern then it's best to have one drain as the main drain and the other drain as a back up. Then tune the main drain with a gate valve.
As for redrilling how think is the acrylic? I think it's a bit harder to drill bigger holes than smaller holes due to the increase amount of resistance. If you do it yourself I would definitely use something guide the hole saw. You can check out glass-holes.com for videos on drilling tanks. Even though they are drilling glass tanks you can use the same idea with the guide they use.
Well I hope that helps. Good luck!
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Post by sophelia76 on Jul 1, 2011 5:06:22 GMT -8
Thanks for your input. It's 1-inch thick acrylic. I'll definitely watch the video before drilling- thanks!
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rayray
Junior Member
Posts: 78
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Post by rayray on Jul 1, 2011 19:12:20 GMT -8
its very risky to redrill because there is no good way to guide the center of the hole saw. You will likely chip the edges of the wider hole or make it oblong... both lead to leaks.
If you must do it, ive seen acrylic repair guys do this:
option 1: use a dremel too to follow an outline of the new larger hole
option 2: get a new piece of acrylic sheet .25 - 1inch thick, drill the larger hole the standard way. use a small tooth circular saw to cut a square of the new hole with at least 1inch around the margin of the larger hole. Then use lotsa weld-on to bond the new larger hole outside, on top and perfectly around the smaller hole. Now use that to guide the hole saw down ontop of the smaller hole to enlarge it. Make sure you measured the bulkhead size over and over before you do this.
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rayray
Junior Member
Posts: 78
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Post by rayray on Jul 1, 2011 19:16:01 GMT -8
but honestly, I dont know why people want so much flow through their sump. 1.5 inch holes will gravity drain 500-750 gph and 1200-1500 gph at full siphon. if you want more in tank circulation, use powerheads or a closed loop?
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Post by sophelia76 on Jul 4, 2011 19:23:04 GMT -8
RayRay- thanks for all the info. Based on that, I think I'll plumb it using the existing holes. If I decide I need to make anything bigger, I'll haul the beast to an acrylics place and have them do it.
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Post by robexcoral on Jul 8, 2011 20:02:02 GMT -8
i seen people use a piece of plywood with clamps u drill the hole in the plywood then chip out a spot to run water as a lube
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