300 gal. Glass aquarium. Few ? on drilled holes.

[ReefHog]

After carefull consideration, I have decided to go with a glass 300 gal. aqauarium. Probably IA.

I'd like to run my drilled hole positions across you guys and see what you think. I will be housing my Green Moray in this tank so the less over the top of the tank the better. A tight fitting top is required. I'm thinking two overflows one in each corner with two holes drilled in the bottom glass for each.(one for supply to sump and one return to tank) Also four holes drilled in the back for closed loop. Two 1/3 way down for suction and two six inches down for supply. Both about a foot in from each of the sides.

I need advise on the hole diameters. I'd like to go with 3/4" or 1" fittings for the closed loop. I'm not sure about the overflows. Any thoughts?

[Ninong]

Don't go with anything smaller than 1" bulkheads for the closed loop and for the returns through the corner overflows. You could even split the return coming up through the corner overflow so that it exits through the overflow wall in two different directions. For the drains, go with either 1.5" or 2". The 1.5" would probably be more than adequate for what you are planning but it wouldn't hurt to have 2" drains, although it would make the plumbing a lot more expensive.

Ninong

P.S. -- If you are ordering from Inter-American, just tell Mitch what you want to accomplish and he will advise you on the best size bulkheads. He has a tendency to think big on bulkheads, unlike some of the major tank manufacturers. ;)

P.P.S. -- Depending on how much flow you want to run through the closed loop, you could even go with 1.5" bulkheads to supply the pump and 1" discharge return bulkheads. I guess it all depends on what pump you are considering for your closed loop. The AM-3000 would be a good choice and it has 1.5" inlet/outlet.

[ReefHog]

Originally posted by Ninong
You could even split the return coming up through the corner overflow so that it exits through the overflow wall in two different directions

Ninong

Thanks for the comments.

How would you hook up the return to the output bulkheads? I would think if you hard piped it with pvc and something went wrong, it would be a real pain cutting and removing the pipe. Or would you just slip the fittings without glue?

Would it be wise to just send IA the bulkheads so the proper size holes are drilled? I have herd there is much confussion when it comes to proper hole sizing.

I want to figure out exactly what I want and get it on paper before I contact IA so I can fax him something.

How do the closed loop bulkhead locations sound? I'm not sure I'm going to even use them right now but I want to be prepared for the future.