I am planning out a new 220 gallon tank for my home office, and am keen to get advice on all aspects of the system. I have kept a (much) smaller tank for quite a few years so I am prepared to commit to the costs and time for the larger tank, but since my experience is confined to a 34-Gallon all-in-one, I may have a lot to learn about big system design.
I am thinking of interior dimensions of 72" wide x 30" deep x 24" tall, with the back glass cut down to create a coast-to-coast overflow at the 24" mark; the remaining 3 sides and overflow rising to 25" or 26" tall.
I envision the overflow itself as a box on the back of the tank that is about 6" tall, and about 4" deep, stretching the entire length of the aquarium with 1" Schedule 80 bulkheads in 3 drain holes drilled in the bottom of the overflow box at the left end of the tank as viewed from the front. The plumbing from these bulkheads will run directly to my basement which is why they all need to be on the left end of the overflow box.
For return plumbing, I was thinking a single return bulkhead just under the overflow box to the right of the drainage holes in the overflow box, also fitted with a 1" Schedule 80 bulkhead.
If there was some compelling advantage, I would be willing to consider building the overflow box inside the tank, but overall I prefer having it on the back if both are good designs - what do you think?
If Eurobracing offers a significant strength advantage, I would consider it as this tank is going to be inside cabinetry. However I generally prefer rimless, if it's not going to be a problem.
I plan to put 3-4 propeller pumps (vortechs) on the rear glass underneath the overflow box, and would like the tank capable of withstanding front-to-back waves and have sufficient height that the waves can't overflow the front or side edges of the tank ... and am wondering if I've planned sufficient glass height above the overflow for that. I'm also interested in how people decide whether their tank can handle the kind of wave action that these pumps are capable of making.
Thanks in advance for your input!
I am thinking of interior dimensions of 72" wide x 30" deep x 24" tall, with the back glass cut down to create a coast-to-coast overflow at the 24" mark; the remaining 3 sides and overflow rising to 25" or 26" tall.
I envision the overflow itself as a box on the back of the tank that is about 6" tall, and about 4" deep, stretching the entire length of the aquarium with 1" Schedule 80 bulkheads in 3 drain holes drilled in the bottom of the overflow box at the left end of the tank as viewed from the front. The plumbing from these bulkheads will run directly to my basement which is why they all need to be on the left end of the overflow box.
For return plumbing, I was thinking a single return bulkhead just under the overflow box to the right of the drainage holes in the overflow box, also fitted with a 1" Schedule 80 bulkhead.
If there was some compelling advantage, I would be willing to consider building the overflow box inside the tank, but overall I prefer having it on the back if both are good designs - what do you think?
If Eurobracing offers a significant strength advantage, I would consider it as this tank is going to be inside cabinetry. However I generally prefer rimless, if it's not going to be a problem.
I plan to put 3-4 propeller pumps (vortechs) on the rear glass underneath the overflow box, and would like the tank capable of withstanding front-to-back waves and have sufficient height that the waves can't overflow the front or side edges of the tank ... and am wondering if I've planned sufficient glass height above the overflow for that. I'm also interested in how people decide whether their tank can handle the kind of wave action that these pumps are capable of making.
Thanks in advance for your input!
