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09/15/2014, 05:51 AM | #1 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23
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Just Getting Started - Before I Drill - Before I Buy
I posted a similar thread on the DIY forum but I realize my thread might be better placed in the NtTH forum since I am a newbie. My apologies to all.
I realize I'm gonna end up wasting 1 plane ticket on my mistakes setting this thing up but I'm trying to avoid wasting 2. Thanks for any help. I have a standard Aqueon 125 gallon tank (72" l x 18" w x 24"h) on a standard stand about 30" high. It serves as a room divider or island displaying three sides. I wanted to drill the 4th short (18") side and set up a herbie. I have read everything I think I can find on drilling but I haven't come by any posts on the advisability of drilling the short side (18") of a tank. When I spoke to my LFS guy, he advised me against it. My original plan... Plan #1 was to use a 12" CPR Retrofit Overflow Box with two 1-1/2" bulkheads and one 1" bulkhead for the return. However, I am a little concerned that 3 holes (2 large ones) on the short side of the tank might be pushing it a little, i.e. I might be weakening the glass too much. Thus, Plan #2 was to go with two 1-1/2" bulkheads but not drill the return and just purchase a u-shaped return jet to hang on the tank. But, after talking to LFS guy... Plan #3 would it be better still to go with two 1" bulkheads and a hang-on u-shaped return jet? Would this be safer, i.e. weaken the tank less and still provide me with sufficient flow (5x or 6x) for the sump? Would using a smaller 1" bulkhead also cut down on the possibility of creating an evil vortex in my overflow box giving rise to a constant flushing toilet in my living room? (my LFS guy scared me with this one.) I realize if I drill big, I can always reduce the flow rate with a gate valve. However, I don't want to weaken the structural integrity of the tank more than I have to. That is, if a 1" bulkhead will do the job, why push my luck? So... Plan #4 suggested by Gorgok (thank you) on the DIY forum was to go with three bulkheads and do a beanaminal and an over the tank return. I liked his idea. My understanding of a beananimal is a super safe herbie - 1 siphon for flow, 1 trickle for your fine adjustments and 1 emergency just in case. However, drilling three 2" holes or three 2-1/2" holes on the short side the tank still makes me a little nervous - any second opinions? Which leads to sump/refugium considerations. I am initially planning a FOWL tank until I figure out what I am doing but I do want to leave the option of adding coral later. Given this scenario, should I add a 30 gallon (36.3" x 12.7" x 16.8") sump which will allow me to add a 20 gallon high (24.3" x 12.5" x 16.8") refugium at a later date (if wanted/needed) or should I just go with a 40 gallon long (48.3" x 12.8" x 16.9") sump and worry about a refugium in a couple of years... And finally, any advice on the return pump. I was looking at either the Eheim Compact 5000 (Output: 660-1321 GPH) or 3000 ( Output: 396-793 GPH)? I'm leaning toward the 5000 since I'll probably lose a lot of flow from the 5' rise from the floor of the sump to over the top of the tank. Does this seem like a reasonable choice? Thanks for your thoughts and any advice... -Michael |
09/15/2014, 10:12 AM | #2 |
RC Mod
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You're setting up a peninsula tank? Is the end going to be built into the wall, or is it freestanding?
Is it glass or acrylic? A return pump for a 125---I used a 950 gph on a 55 gallon tank. I'd recommend much stronger.
__________________
Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%. |
09/15/2014, 10:44 AM | #3 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23
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Thanks Sk8r.
The tank is glass. It will be freestanding. So you would vote for Eheim Compact 5000 (Output: 660-1321 GPH)? Any other thoughts greatly appreciated. Thanks. |
Tags |
beananimal, bulkhead herbie overflow, herbie overflow, return pump, sump and refugium |
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