[BigLar]

Golfish,

What made you decide on using a 1.5" down pipe instead of getting your tank drilled? What are the pro's and con's of doing this verses having the tank drilled? I may do this myself.

[Ironreef]

I would drill a bulkhead in the middle/ 1/2 way down. Can't speak for anyone else but most who use a pipe wished they had a bulkhead I bet??

[BigLar]

How big does the hole have to be for a 1.5" bulkhead?

[Ironreef]

I belive 2 3/8 but buy the bulkhead first to make sure. And make sure your tank can handle a hole that size on the tank

[golfish]

BigLar,
I didn't want to empty the tank to drill a hole. Just another lesson for when I get my next tank..........God, I hope the wife doesn't see this.

[zebrasoma17]

Hi folks. I'm new here. Interesting thread.


I have a question for golfish.

I'm in the process of setting up a 200 gal Oceanic RR in my basement. For circulation I have been considering an Ampmaster 3000 on a closed loop w/2 1" Seaswirls(similar to your set-up I assume). I see that you mentioned earlier the possibility of running 1.5" pipe all the way to the tank to save on gph. Do you know anybody who has done this? If so, how did they do it and are they satisfied with the outcome?

Also, I thought I saw that you were getting a Euro-Reef skimmer somewhere on one of the boards. How do you like it? I'm considering the CS8-3 for the 200 gal.

TIA. Any input will be helpful.

Al

[golfish]

I see that you mentioned earlier the possibility of running 1.5" pipe all the way to the tank to save on gph. Do you know anybody who has done this?

Al, I use all 1.5" pipe about half way up the back of the tank then I Tee off to 1" pipe. I didn't have the room up top to run 1.5" pipe all the way up or I would have done it. Try to go 1.5" as far as you can. I used some flex tubing on my closed loop to absorb some of the vibration from the pump. If you need anymore info let me know.

Also, I thought I saw that you were getting a Euro-Reef skimmer somewhere on one of the boards. How do you like it? I'm considering the CS8-3 for the 200 gal.

I ordered the CS6-3 over two weeks ago and from what I understand it hasn't been built yet. I was told they didn't have all the materials needed to build them. I would have liked to get the CS8 but the footprint was a little too big.

[Starmstr]

FWIW a 1-inch sea swirl running approximately 1200 gph will cover a 5ft span adequately. I currently have a 60-inch tank with the 1"swirl mounted at 16" off of one end centered in the tank blowing against the glass. Actually the farthest end has better flow than the end closest to the return. Keep in mind I typically advocate 2 times what I am running now.

[zebrasoma17]

Thanks for the info.

Due to construction in the basement it will probably be a couple of months before I can try your suggestion golfish. If I have any problems I'll be in touch.

Thanks again.

Al

[golfish]

Since this is going to be a closed loop and will take up very little room you might want to consider keeping the pump in the stand so it wont have so far to travel......just a thought.

Mark

[dr.harris]

ironreef,
you are correct, my holes are 2 3/8. and with a standard bulkhead fitting the I.D. is 1 1/2.