TOTW 05-17-05 375 Gallon Tank and Sump Plans

[The R/C Man]

Hey Scott!

Yap, this weekend I will flush trim and then round over the edges.... I am still debating about cutting slots in the back for external overflows or or just install internal ones. The external will look much better but I am worried about the tanks integrity.

[Reefland]

The external would be nice just to keep the tank "clean" in appearance. However, it would seem that adding the internal overflows would be easier, and safer in regards to manufacturing.

Are you building this tank yourself?

[The R/C Man]

Hi Scott!

Yes I am building it with the help of a friend.

I just flush trimmed the tank yesterday, made a template for the overflows and then cut them out of the back panel. The two overflow holes are 1 1/2" tall and 10" long. The boxes will be mounted to the back of the tank and contain two bulkheads each. The first is a 1 1/2" for the main drain and the second will be a 1" for back up. Both will have durso standpipes for noise reduction. To keep fish from swimming through the openning there will interchangable plates that will attach with 4 thumb screws to the back panel. This will make cleaning easy and I will be able to change the opening to any size or shape. I will make a couple sets to start with. I am leaning towards gutter guard as the primary. I am also considering the use of black eggcrate. Both of these do not reduce near as much flow as standard overflow slots..... I will post some pics later.....

[N Awe]

Greg

Thanks for all this great information. I am working on a 120G glass tank. I decided I wanted external overflows and drilled a series of 1" holes (2 sets of 4). I am eagerly waiting your pics and details of how you built your overflows.

I am starting to plan the sump/refuge. If I remember correctly you are putting a cover on your sump. I have not seen that before. Why did you include this in your design?

Thanks again for your postings. It really helps us newbies.


Randy

[The R/C Man]

Hey Everyone!

Sorry I have been slacking on the updates... Here are a couple pics of the tank after flush trimming. I had a misshap during the flush trimming process. The bearing fell off the bit causing a nice gouge in the acrylic. After some repair all is well. I also decided to go with 1 1/4" tall slots by 10" for the external overflows. There will be plates behind the openings which will have either gutter gaurd or black egg crate attached. This will allow maximum flow and still keep the critters in the tank. I went to West Marine and picked up some boat paint to seal the wood on the stand. All though expensive, boat paint should give years of protection.

[The R/C Man]

The tank is home and the overflow boxes are done...

[smidoid]

Damn Greg - you need to get out more!

[Then I can come round and nick your tank!]

[The R/C Man]

LOL...

I do get out too much.... That it is way this project is taking so long.... I may have some more updated pics on my laptop. I will check to see. If not I will post more when I return to the States next month...

[wozza]

holy moly thats on big mo fo of a sump!

[Poseidon]

Gotta be time for an update....

[The R/C Man]

You are absolutely correct! I need to make an update..... Mostly I have been buying things that I need to make the project a go. The pumps, sand, salt and the sump VHO ballast have been purchased. I also drilled the tank for the closed loop, added the overflow boxes and installed the bulkheads. I have also purchased a flexible hose in which the entire system will be plumbed with. This hose reduces noise and vibration as well as reducing the amount of head pressure by eliminating elbows etc......

[The R/C Man]

Here is pic of the hoses.... The top one is 1" ID and the other is 1 1/2" ID...
Also if you are wondering why the delay, we are planning to buy a house so the tank won't get filled until we move in.