HELP.. How do you like your 180gal plumbed?

[ghever]

Hi Guys

I am trying to figure out what everyone prefers on their larger reef tanks, since I am thinking of upgrading to a 180 or so.

I like my center overflow with returns on the 2 sides.... but that is a cube, what about for a longer tank? Is it preferred to have 2 overflows?

Also, do you guys like your returns coming from inside the overflow, or separately outside of it?

I was thinkin of a big center trapezoid overflow with returns on the sides ... maybe even have a closed loop as well if I plan on keeping some SPS... but I can get a nice 180 with 2 corner overflows with returns trough the overflows for a good price, so thinking about it... I am just afraid of there not being enough room in the overflow for both the durso and return.

Appreciate the input.

G

 

[ghever]

bump

 

[steve bowman]

On our 6 foot tank, we have 2 wiers, 1 in each back corner. There is a 1 1/2"overfill and a 1"return in each one. Our wier boxes are 5" by 10" from the top looking down.I built the stockman drains and they work great. We have a ampmaster 2700 for a return pump and our returns could handle more. Steve

 

[2crazyreefers]

My new 180 aga has 2 corner overflows and I like it. It leaves most of the tanks 24 inches open.

 

[TrojanScott]

I have my 180 just the way you like... One center over flow, two returns. I can't imagine screwing with two durso pipes!

 

[ghever]

are 2 returns enough? would you think 2 more returns for a CL would help?

thanks..

G

 

[TrojanScott]

If you plan keeping SPS, I guess the more flow the better. A couple of Tunze streams would do wonders too. I have a Velocity/Poseidon T4 as a return pump, which splits to the two returns. I don't keep SPS though. Plan on trying some next year, but I seem to have lots of flow in my tank. (two SEIO 820's in there as well.)
I'm going to buy Tunze's this year, should help more.

I'm not a big fan of multiple drill holes in my tank, (well, the fewer the better, for me anyways) so I never considered a closed loop. I like the freedom of switching up the currents.

 

[vthondaboi]

I had two 2" elbows on my tank. One near each end. I don't really like overlfow boxes too much if it can be helped since they take up a lot of space.

 

[TrojanScott]

My overflow doesn't take up all that much space, not considering it's a 180 gallon tank. The ease of use, the benefits of a built in overflow outweigh whatever space I lose, that's for sure.