Build Question

[GaryLCrouch]

OK well I just bought a house and will be moving into it next month and decided to do some work on the tank.
As it sits right now it is drilled with 2 holes both that fit 1 inch bulkheads. I have lockline on on and a strainer drain on the other. The drain goes into one chamber with the skimmer ( Right side of 20 gallon sump ) that overflow into the middle chamber where the return pump is. The water then flows up and some goes up to the the return into the display tank while some of it flows through another pipe that leads to the refuge ( left side of the sump ). Some of the water flows back into the middle chamber while some flows through a reactor with gfo and then back to the center chamber. Sorry if that sounds confusing. I attached a pic at the bottom.

I want to do a 700gph overflow because the tank is not draining much at all and I would like to increase the drain flow.
I was thinking of 3 ways i could change it up and wanted some thoughts.

OPT 1) have both the 1 inch bulkheads for returns and drill a new hole in the middle for the 700gph overflow ( or more if I wish ). I like this one the best because I would have the 700gph overflow and I could still use my mag 7 or I could upgrade the return pump if I had too. My thinking and I could be wrong is that having it flow through 2 pipes for the return would not restrict flow because it would not be trying to get all the flow through one pipe. My thinking is have it flow up one pip the middle then " T " it off at the top so it came out both sides of the tank for the return flow( up from the mag 7 to one 90, then another 90 up out of the stand to the " T " then it would have to have 1 90 on each end back into the display tank. ( I might have to upgrade the return pump so the sump does not over flow but I am not sure. I need some thoughts on that).

OPT 2 ) drill over the existing hole to make it bigger to fit the 700gph but im afraid it could crack the tank.

OPT 3) use both the 1 inch holes as drains using strainers on both and drilling a new hole in the middle for the return. ( this idea is the least favorite because I want to use real overflows instead of the strainers to get better flow. This would increase the flow but I am not sure by how much.

 

[GaryLCrouch]

69 people viewed and not one response lol

 

[suicideissleep]

Herbie overflow if you drill a return

 

[Blitzie]

Gary
I will dissect this one
OPT 1) have both the 1 inch bulkheads for returns and drill a new hole in the middle for the 700gph overflow ( or more if I wish ). I like this one the best because I would have the 700gph overflow and I could still use my mag 7 or I could upgrade the return pump if I had too. My thinking and I could be wrong is that having it flow through 2 pipes for the return would not restrict flow because it would not be trying to get all the flow through one pipe. My thinking is have it flow up one pip the middle then " T " it off at the top so it came out both sides of the tank for the return flow( up from the mag 7 to one 90, then another 90 up out of the stand to the " T " then it would have to have 1 90 on each end back into the display tank. ( I might have to upgrade the return pump so the sump does not over flow but I am not sure. I need some thoughts on that).

Personally I like your option number one the best. I would look at gl*******s.com and get a complete overflow kit and then use the 1” holes as returns.
In my opinion the strainer setup does not remove a sufficient amount of water off of the surface in comparison to an overflow box.
The Mag 7 will generate about 390 – 460 gph (head loss) and if you add T’s it will be less also given the fact you want to power a reactor and other diversions I would go larger on pump, but that is me who runs a Reeflo dart on a 150.

If your overflow has a larger capacity than your pump you will never overflow the sump as only what gets pumped up can come down.
(That being said you need to be sure your don’t flood in a power out condition)
If the pump has more capacity than the overflow yes can flood on the tank side until the sump level gets too low.

I have a similar setup on mine (function wise) if you would like to see it

 

[GaryLCrouch]

[/QUOTE]
If your overflow has a larger capacity than your pump you will never overflow the sump as only what gets pumped up can come down.
(That being said you need to be sure your don't flood in a power out condition)
If the pump has more capacity than the overflow yes can flood on the tank side until the sump level gets too low.

I have a similar setup on mine (function wise) if you would like to see it[/QUOTE]

Ok I do have a question though. How would it flood in a power outage. The pump would stop working and the water would drain into the sump from the overflow correct. The only thing that could cause a flood is if the drain was cloged ( which I am thinking of maybe doing a backup drain somehow ).

And another question is that I am confused on is if you overflow is larger then the pump it could not overflow. I am guessig that it means that the overflow will only allow as much water as the pump is pushing up because once it goes below a certain line it will not drain as much, IE even if you had a 1000gph over flow with a 700gph pump it would only drain around the 700 because the pump is not fillig up the display tank fast enough to get the complete flow of the overflow.

 

[GaryLCrouch]

The reactor also runs on its own little colbolt MJ1200 and I will not be piping that in so I dont have to worry about that.

I guess I could just use a mag 7 with the head loss. Since the overflow will only drain what the pump puts into the display tank like you stated I dont have to worry about it overflowing my sump.

or I was thinking I could use flex pipe and just forget the hard plumping as that would save alot of head loss.

 

[Blitzie]

When the power goes out normally the return lines will siphon back into the tank a bit and you just need to make sure there is enough capacity in the sump. (Do some research on "œSiphon Breaks" and you will not have a problem)

I am guessing that it means that the overflow will only allow as much water as the pump is pushing up because once it goes below a certain line it will not drain as much, IE even if you had a 1000gph over flow with a 700gph pump it would only drain around the 700 because the pump is not filling up the display tank fast enough to get the complete flow of the overflow
Your assumption is correct. Consider the overflow as the "œdemand" and the return pump as the "œSupply". As long as the Supply is not greater than the demand you are fine.

Any single drain system is always susceptible to a blockage and a resultant flood.
If I were doing this I would purchase this kit http://www.glass-holes.com/1500-gph-Overlfow-Box-Complete-Kit-gh1500kit.htm from glass holes.
It looks like this overflow is setup like a Herbie style (2 Drains). This system would provide you with a backup drain in case one got blocked. It also has a larger box which means more surface area to draw water from.

 

[GaryLCrouch]

I could always make 1 of the 1 inch bulk heads a back up overflow.

 

[geomarq]

Drill more 1" holes as needed. It's easy and you can customize as you wish. I have three drains and two returns.

 

[GaryLCrouch]

I could also try to do a bean overflow....

 

[Blitzie]

To do a bean you need 3 drains
One is full siphon controlled with a gate valve
one is secondary (always has slow flow)
one is emergency no flow

 

[GaryLCrouch]

You build your own custom overflows correct. I have read up on it, but not 100% sure on how to build it. Like spacing between drains and how big to make the overflow box.
I think my first option would be fine to do. How often forget drains clog really. Do you have any pics of your bean system?

 

[Blitzie]

I don't build them but when I bought my tank it was built in
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2245488

Look there it's the 4th picture and the standpipes I made are near the bottom of first page

 

[GaryLCrouch]

NICE!!! i have actually seen that thread before.

My tank is going upstairs on my first floor for now buit when I finish the basment off I want to move everything down there. I will be building a room off to the side to house all my fish stuff behind my tank. I am hoping to maybe getting a bigger tank by then as well.