Startin' Over

[reefracer]

My first posting! Last tank was reef tank 15yrs ago but I'm wanting another one now. Lots has changed and I've been doing a lots of reading the forums to learn the latest stuff. I am planning a 90gal. 2w3L2d I know it maybe an odd size but my room has limitations. At first I thought I was sure I wanted to go BB (had a bad experience with sand scratches) and do a sump/refugium, but lately I'm reading lots good about DBS in tank. But right now my main worry if where to drill the tank and how many holes? I'm thinking of building a shallow overflow possibily all the way across the back of the tank but the return could be a problem (where to put it). Also, I'm thinking about a closed loop for circulation, I have seen tanks w/holes drilled in the bottom corners but I don't think I like that as much as the back, if I can get the plan on drilling the tank I'll get it ordered and start assembling the system. Anyone have any thougthson my questions?

[Steven Pro]

The overflow box all the way across the back-top of the tank gets my vote. Inside it, I would use 2-3 1 1/2" bulkeahds for drains or 3-4 1" ones.

[reefracer]

Thanks Steven Pro, I sort of lost one post and did it again, my bad. not being familiar with this kinda stuff! Ok if If do two 1 1/2'' drain holes, one on each of the top back what about the return, would that be drilled also like below the overflow box? I don't thik it would be right to bring it up and over the top would it? So is that three holes drilled?

[Steven Pro]

I would bring the return up and over the top. There is no compelling reason to drill the tank for the return. Instead, what I would build (and have built for my own display) is a Calfo manifold. It is basically a loop of PVC pipe around the top of the display from which there are multiple outlets. For instance, I built a 1" PVC loop with 7 3/4" outlets. At each one of these outlets, I installed modular pipe. If you are not familiar with the stuff, it is this black flexible pipe that looks like a bunch of balls connected together. This give me very fine control of where I direct the water flow.

[charlie]

I would bring the return up and over the top. There is no compelling reason to drill the tank for the return. Instead, what I would build (and have built for my own display) is a Calfo manifold. It is basically a loop of PVC pipe around the top of the display from which there are multiple outlets. For instance, I built a 1" PVC loop with 7 3/4" outlets. At each one of these outlets, I installed modular pipe. If you are not familiar with the stuff, it is this black flexible pipe that looks like a bunch of balls connected together. This give me very fine control of where I direct the water flow.

Steve, are you talikng about what they call loc-line? If so, that is some great stuff!!!

[Steven Pro]

Yes, loc-line is another name I have heard for that stuff.

[reefracer]

Thanks for the responses Charlie and Steven Pro, I know the stuff your talking about. so the closed loop is a no go with you guys? BTW how much flow then should I be trying to achieve on a 90gal I do want to use a sump with skimmer in it, a refuguim w/live stuff. BTW I plan lots of LR, inverts, few fish.

[Steven Pro]

I prefer Tunze Stream pumps to closed loops. They are more efficient.

As to total flow, that is somewhat dependent on what you want to keep.

[reefracer]

So are these tunze stream pumps power heads? that you have to put into the tank for circ.? and if I have to do a chiller I just loop it in the return line?

[Reefland]

Yes, they are internal pumps that move a lot of water in a wide stream. For a chiller, I would run a small pump from my sump to the chiller and then back to the sump from the chiller.

[reefracer]

Thanks, Reefland I notice your 75gal. shown is BB at least the picture on the forum. I've thought I might do that as I've had some bad experience with sand scratches from getting too close with the cleaning pad and wiping with contaminated pads. What do you think about BB. I am reading a lots on this forum that favors DBS?