Flow in a Large Tank

[George Gouveia]

I'm in the planning phase of my new large reef tank, and i'd like to hear some opinions. I'm thinking of two sizes.

L 59 x H 19 x D 31
L 59 x H 23 x D 31

This turns into approximately 158 gallons on the first case and 190 gallons on the second one. Now what worries me abit is the height, as this is going to be a inside wall project and i'm afraid that there might be a small viewing port if its 19".

I'd also like some opinions about the closed loop i'm going to install, i don't know if i should run the returns over the top of the tank, or if i should drill the sides. What are the advantages of one of another?

Thank for your help guys!

 

[PAUL327]

If its in the wall I would go with the 190. That's my personal opinion.

 

[George Gouveia]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9991036#post9991036 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PAUL327
If its in the wall I would go with the 190. That's my personal opinion.

thanks for the opinion mate. what really concerns me is the viewable area, as i'm going to use a DSB of about 4", which will be hidden by the wall. and with the top area of about 2" of the tank being hidden by top wall. i'm abit afraid that the 13" inch area will be small for a wall tank if i use the the 19" height.

Also, the way the return lines from the closed loop will function also concern me somewhat.

 

[green_frogspawn]

i wouldnt go any less than the 23....

 

[PAUL327]

23 all the way

 

[nyvp]

easy answer always go bigger then you think.... you always want more. When i built my tank 120x36x30 thought it was huge now I wish I went 128x40x36

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Yep, go big.

As for the returns, take a good look around at what others ahve done and pic and choose what you think best fit's your setup. Since you have it in wall and only one side viewable, you can plumb into the sides as well as the back. Don't forget the bottom as well.

On my 400G tank, I have the sump return up and over the back as I don't trust check valves. I have 2 closed loops, inputs on the back of the tank hidden by the rock work. Returns are in the bottom, again hidden by the rockwork and at each end on a OM 4 way. Gives a lot of random flow with the 4 way.

 

[George Gouveia]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9998486#post9998486 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by blown63chevy
Yep, go big.

As for the returns, take a good look around at what others ahve done and pic and choose what you think best fit's your setup. Since you have it in wall and only one side viewable, you can plumb into the sides as well as the back. Don't forget the bottom as well.

On my 400G tank, I have the sump return up and over the back as I don't trust check valves. I have 2 closed loops, inputs on the back of the tank hidden by the rock work. Returns are in the bottom, again hidden by the rockwork and at each end on a OM 4 way. Gives a lot of random flow with the 4 way.

Thanks for the ideas and comments guys, the idea of sending from below sounds interesting, but doesn't most of the flow get cut by the rockwork?

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Naw, I left mine with a lot of openess under the rocks, it hies the plumbing yet leaves the rocks to disperse the water. I have a Hammerhead on this C/L and a 1 1/2" bulkhead in the bottom. There is a 4" PVC riser to bring the top up out of the sand. It points straight up and into the bottom of the rocks. Then it's dispersed out. Fish swim in and out of it all day.

Click on my red house and you'll see my thread on my build. The C/L returns in the bottom are under the rock islands on the right and left ends of the tank. Pics of the completed rockwork are on the last page or 2.

 

[George Gouveia]

Thanks blown63chevy!