300g Starphire Room Divider

[hdtvguy]

Well after loosing my 240g tank from an accident. More info on what happened can be viewed HERE



I have been planning my new tank a 300g 96" X 24" X 30" room divider viewed from 2 sides separating the dinning room and living room. Both 8' viewing panes of glass will be Starphire glass. Tank will have no overflow box going with 2 2" bulkheads for surface skimming same idea as this picture.

Tank will have a closed loop ran from a GenX PC55 with 2 educators for the returns. Sump and all pumps will be in basement. Return pump from sump will still be my old pump Gen X 18000 4750Gph.


I will be updating this thread as the build comes together.

 

[reelheel]

Sounds nice...I love inwall "see-through" systems. I set up a 210g similar to your setup a little over a year ago and it really turned out awesome.

Can you elaborate a little on the bulkhead drains? I've run systems in the past with drains like this, and I always had problems with noise. Is there something unique that you'll do to help w/ the noise?

Just curious, always open for new ideas. Good luck with the setup.

 

[Dz99ls]

keep the updates and photos comming

 

[mikeo1210]

Nice size. Curious why you chose no overflow. Won't those drains make more noise then dursos'?

 

[hdtvguy]

Can you elaborate a little on the bulkhead drains? I've run systems in the past with drains like this, and I always had problems with noise. Is there something unique that you'll do to help w/ the noise?

Just curious, always open for new ideas. Good luck with the setup.

Well you can use dursos on them but they have to be out of the tank like this picture.

Or you can just do this on the 90 on the outside of the tank. In this picture.

 

[alvin]

I have drains like this, they make little to no noise if they are sized properly. Mine are made of black pvc on a blacked out acrylic background. I like it much better than an overflow. I'll post some pictures when I get a chance. The trick is to get one flowing fully, and make one adjustable (higher in the tank) to reduce the noise. Turn the adjustable one down until the suction noise is gone.

 

[hdtvguy]

Thanks for your input on the subject. Please post pictures of yours when you get a chance.

Thanks

 

[alvin]

I'll get some tonight. I have to take them with my phone and upload them to ofoto.

 

[mikeo1210]

The trick is to get one flowing fully, and make one adjustable (higher in the tank) to reduce the noise. Turn the adjustable one down until the suction noise is gone.
Put one higher in the tank? Trying to visualize.

I have to take them with my phone and upload them to ofoto
Ofoto? Not iphoto lol. Nice..Microsoft and their blatant rip-offs.

 

[alvin]

I have no idea what ofoto is, it just came with my phone as the standard free upload software. It's web-based.

www.ofoto.com

The higher drain is mounted flush with the water level. The lower is about 1 in below water level. To balance the flow, turn the higher drain clockwise/ (or cc for that matter) until the gurgling sound disappears. That will happen when each drains flow is balanced and continuous. The upper drain should flow some air. The lower should flow no air (i.e. no little air vortices sucking down from the water surface).

 

[alvin]

lower drain

 

[alvin]

upper drain

 

[alvin]

full tank

 

[alvin]

hillbilly plumbing. duct tape is the best thing ever made

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

I'm going with the same type of setup on my 190. HDTVGuy, what are the tops/skimmer top that is being used on the drains? Where can I get some? I need a 2" and a 3/4" one. Thanks.

 

[mikeo1210]

Nice setup there alvin.

Not to change the subject but I wonder how these drains work w/ the tunze wavebox if at all. I guess time will tell.

 

[alvin]

I would assume not too well. I personally think the wave box is a horrible idea in practice (but a very slick and well engineered design). It's a good way to lose 1/2 the life of you tank.

As for plumbing supplies for these, I got mine at a lowes. These type of drains are used as floor drains I think. Mine are 3 inches in diameter for the intake useing a 1.5 in. ID pvc. They have a drop in grate that fitts snug enough that you do not have to glue it, but it can be removed easy enough. It uses the exact same principle as an overflow without the waterfall noise and overflow box. My setup has only had rock and light in it for 2 weeks (hence no fish in the pictures). Coraline should cover these up pretty nice in due time.

 

[mikeo1210]

It's a good way to lose 1/2 the life of you tank.

Maybe if you like glass tanks that are poorly built. Acrylic is by no means affected.

 

[LittleBlueGT]

It looks like your plans are coming along well. I am curious how big your sump will be. It will probably have to hold a lot of extra water with your non-overflowing drains.

 

[Muligan]

Nice tank alvin................Red Green would be proud .....lol(duct tape)