125 factory drilled plumbing suggestions

[Glove]

I just purchased this used 125 with 4 holes drilled into the bottom. I believe those are 1" bulkheads. This system is supposed to use stand pipes to get the water in and out. I would like to see what other people have done using this layout. I am planning for this to be a reef tank with lots of flow. I might even go bare bottom.
I am really focusing on the plumbing right now. I dont like the look of 4 stand pipes in the display. I really dont like standpipes. I have considered making some overflow boxes to just hide em but I was stumped with how to set up the returns.
I would also like to know how (2) 250watt MH lamps will work on this system. I have a center brace directly in the middle of this tank- makes putting (3) 250 watt lamps on there pointless. I just dont think the 250s cover the whole tank very well.
Anyone else have one of these factory drilled reef ready tanks for ideas?

 

[TAB]

Well You could put over flow boxs around the outer 2 stand pipes and build durso for them. Using the center 2 for a closed loop. I really don't like having my returns going thru a bulkhead. Over the side will help stop your sump from over flowing when you have a power failer. Besides every bulk head you install has 3 places it could fail and have a leak. I personally Think a sump is just a place to house "things"( ie skimmer fuge yadda yadda) So I try to keep my flow rate fairly slow. Less noise, less chances of a over flow.

As far as MH a 250 with a good reflector will give you some where between 18-24" roughly sqaure. More power being in the middle but as a rule of thumb 2x2 is fine. You could always shift the 2 ligths towards the center and have darker areas on both ends. GL

 

[cmacld]

have you though about plugging the iner holes and drilling two more holes, one closer to each stand pipe, 3/4 inch, use as a return and build an overflow box in your corners, i had to do a similar project on my 135, someone had drilled odd placed holes so i drilled two newer holes tough i decieded to put two overlows closer to the center, and used the two outer for returns, using stand pipes, i didnt really care cosmeticly as they will cover with coraline over time and just blend in. I could email you some pics if youd like to see. Cheers, Good luck.

 

[Glove]

What about letting all 4 holes drain and use 2 mag 12 pumps to just push the water back in from the rear, over the top? maybe a 't' to split it up in different directions and a couple of seos or tunseas for added current?
that seems simple enough.
I think a 1' hole flows about 600 gpm, no? and a mag 12 pumps about 1100 with a 4ft rise? So 2 pumps @ 2400gpm (+/- )and 4 holes @ 2400gpm
There will b a Ca reactor and a very large skimmer as well. I am still not sure the (2) 250 watt fixtures will cover like I am wanting. I may have perfecto send me a different top frame so the divider is split into two places instead of one right in the middle. I think (3) 250 watt fixtures would be more ideal.

 

[cmacld]

and there you have it, let me know how it goes. I have since moved on to a 180 gallon project, scratching the 135. my problem has gone away.