OK - So I finally actually ordered my new tank from SC Aquarium out in California. It is a custom tank (60 x 24 x24) with solid Walnut 12 inch tall canopy and a 30 inch tall Walnut stand. I got them to take out the "tower overflow" the tank normally comes with and drill my tank with three 64 mm holes in the center and 12 inches from center @ 4.5 inches below the top of the tank for 1.5 inch schedule 40 bulkheads. They are also moving the normally 1.5 inch recessed Euro-braces to 3/8 inch from the top of the tank ( I never got an answer as to why they build their tank with the Euro-braces so far recessed).
David ( at Custom Acrylics) , north of Butler PA, will be constructing internal and external overflows for a "Bean animal" plumbed system ( 1 inch full siphon, 1 inch open , and 1.5 inch emergency drains) that will drain into the 75 gallon sump, media filters, etc, in the basement below the tank. I plan on using PVC flex tubing for all the plumbing between the display and the basement. I will have to put a good control valve on the full siphon drain to reduce the flow because with the 10 foot fall it will pull way more water from the display down to the sump than the water I am pumping back into it. The internal overflow will be 48 inches long and have a smooth weir x 6 inches deep, and 2.5 inches front to back and will sit directly below the back Euro-brace. I plan on using 1/4 inch plastic mesh to prevent critter and fish from getting into the internal overflow. The external overflow box will be 36 inches long x 4 inches front to back, and about 8 inches deep.
So far I have a 75 Marineland tank ( thanks Fetta) that I have taken the overflow out of and will be covering up those holes with a piece of glass siliconed to the bottom of the tank. I will be constructing the sump myself with glass baffles,etc. and I hope to make my own filter socks that will fit in it as well.
Return pump is not yet purchased.I have been trying to figure it out. Cant find any DC pump that will work with the 15 head pressure I have ( according to Reef Centrals calculator) = 10 feet vertical lift, a "t", then each of those will have a 90 in it to get the water back into the display. So far the Reeflo Barracuda seems to be the best fit for me. At about 245 watts and pushing about 1200 GPH into the display tank from the basement sump.
Pics and progress posts with be coming. Please feel free to comment, suggest ,etc. as this will be a learning experience for me. This is my first and probably only large tank set up.
Lots of plumbing ,electrical decisions to make and to construct as I am hoping to have my water mixing station in the laundry room in the basement ( 30 feet away from sump with walls and drywall ceiling between) , next to my RODI. Then have pumps with plumbing to go from the mixing station to sump and from sump to laundry sink for water changes.
Stay tuned....
