how to plumb 275 acrylic

[siropa]

I bought a used 275 gal acrylic tank and i'm not sure how to plumb it out. I think the tank was used as a peninsula tank at some point. Its 96x32x21 (LxWXH) and at one end, 11" is partitioned off with a full piece of acrylic with overflow teeth at the top. It isn't currently drilled at all.

i'm not going to remove the partitioned off piece. not even sure if it would be possible. would be nice to use that built in overflow, but all the water would be flowing to that one end and i'm not sure I like that idea either.

Any suggestions on how to plumb it? I know I want to drill some holes for some drain(s) to go to a sump, but don't have any solid ideas.

 

[siropa]

^

 

[Kentanner11]

I would not understand why someone would put in an overflow baffle with out holes, unless they had the intention of drilling this in the future.

I would not remove the overflow piece, because it is prob. helping the structure of the tank somehow.
I would also not drill the bottom, but the side, I know that water pressure is somewhat equal on the sides as it is on the bottom, but if for some reason your rock work or what ever comes crashing down, your bottom of your tank will be stronger because it has less holes in it.

 

[siropa]

yeah i'm not really sure either how it was hooked up.

I was planning on doing whatever drilling I end up with on the back of the tank inside of the overflow section.

 

[nyvp]

any pics?

 

[siropa]

 

[Acrylics]

More than likely, the idea was the smaller area was the sump; water would come over the overflow and a powerhead or submersible pump was in the sump area pumping water back up over the overflow and into the tank.

James

 

[siropa]

very possible. so what would you do with it now? use it as an internal overflow box and drain it down to a sump like any other? it sure would be a big 'ol overflow.

I thought about maybe putting in some chaeto into the area between some egg crate or something to keep it away from whatever kind of stand pipes I end up with.

 

[Acrylics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10618631#post10618631 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by siropa
very possible. so what would you do with it now? use it as an internal overflow box and drain it down to a sump like any other? it sure would be a big 'ol overflow.

That's exactly what I would do. I wouldn't place chaeto or any mocros inside overflow. I would place a piece of thinner black acrylic on the overflow wall (tank side) to keep light from getting into it though. Being able to see inside the overflow from the viewing area is not something I'd want.

HTH,
James

 

[siropa]

good idea on the black acrylic.

 

[steve the plumb]

I would use that section as an overflow.Drill from the bottom.Acrylic is very easy to drill.I drilled my tank using a hole saw kit from HD.I have pics on my thread.My overflow is 15" long and about 6" wide.You can drill your return line in that space aswell so you won't have to show any pipes.They tint the overflow box like mine.

 

[steve the plumb]

This is my tank 300 gal 96x30x24 drilled with om 8 way

 

[steve the plumb]

I used this hole saw kit to drill the tank.It went very smooth.

 

[siropa]

steve, do you have a link to your build thread?

do you like the om?

 

[steve the plumb]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1175345

 

[steve the plumb]

I have yet to try it.I am just setting up my tank so I am still in the build stage.I will let you know when I get it up and running.For all the money I spent I hope it will work well.

 

[siropa]

I like the idea of them, but wish I could see on in person sometime. they sure sound like they work good though.

 

[steve the plumb]

I am sure you can find a video of them in action.All it is is a drum.Your main pump pushes water threw the unit and the om spins and lets the water go through one at a time or depends witch model you buy(there are more than one type) some do 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and others mix up1x4,2x3,4x6 you get the point.I don't even now witch exact om 8 I have.I think its the one that goes in order.I didn't buy it from om I bought it from an online vendor.I will make a video when I get it up and running.Its like having your one pump turn into eight outlets but all pushing the full amount of gallons(dart does 3500)