I've got the 45g, need your help, input, advice!

DebsSisterFlo

DebsSisterFlo

New member
Ok gang, now we've got some work to do... :p

I picked up the 45g tank today and Jason wants to know how I want it drilled... er...

well, I'm certain of two options, all drilled on the back wall;

1. drain at bottom center with two returns in either top corner
or
2. return on top left and drain at bottom right

I need to find an overflow for inside of the tank.

I still have no clue what to buy for a return pump, and I need help with baffles and setting up my sump.
Now, Jason has given me pages of wonderful info, but I've never been a book learner... granted I have learned a few things, but I catch on much better with hands on training!

So, I need your opinions on how to drill this bad boy, and oh! I also need to figure out the best way to move everything for the least trauma to my critters.

I'm thinking of setting up the "new" stand next to the old one, draining the tank halfway and then try to slide it over?
or
I'll take everything out and put it in pails, set up the new stand and put the old tank onto it, then re-set it up so that things can work until I get the new system set up. I'm stressed on how to do this as smoothly and quickly as possible. I'm pretty sure I'm going to lose my xenia and green tree in this ordeal, since the xenia never fully came back after the last overhaul of the tank.

Thanks so much for any help!
 
I'd go with a center overflow and two returns (even if using something to alternate between them, or anything else fancy).

As for the move, if the new tank and all equipment is ready to go, I'd use buckets and rubbermaids to move everything to, move the old tank out/new one in, then replace everything. To just take enough to shift it and still have to transfer it anyway seems like more work for you and stress for inhabitants. It's still the same system, just in a differnt glass box. Do it as quick as possible, then watch things closely to prevent any crash.
 
I don't think there is a good clean way to transfer from tank to tank. I'm going to be connecting the 75 gallon to the same sump/filter as the 30, and run them from the same filter for a few weeks. I will leave the lights off for the first 2 weeks, then start moving things... but when I'm done, there will be a cultured 30 for sale, and if not sold quick, will be drained, and cleaned.

I wish I could "tell" you what to do Jessica. But I beleive everyone must have their own free will and desire. If it were me, and I like to do something different and re-invent the wheel, I would drill 5 holes. I would go with 2 drains, one on the left, one on the right, and then 3 return lines, 2 of which would alternate 1 would be constant flow... like this... (gonna take a few minutes to draw, scan, post, and then apply to the thread.... and presto!
(45 minutes later)
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c205/jmkarcz/October102006.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

and the plumbing....
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c205/jmkarcz/October1020062.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

Of course, this assumes you have as much or more money than I and you don't want to eat for a month.... (just kidding) But this is custome and specially designed for you.... Glass - the dark greylite black that I use would run about 50$, per Wendy at Packerland Glass. However, she points out that for around 30$ you could get the standard grey, I think that would look cool to.

I could drill this pattern in about 45 minutes or so, bulkheads would run about 25-30$, and would set you up for killer flow. I wanted to incorporate something of a closed loop, but this would make use of excess/greater waterflow throuh 3 returns... What do ya think?

J
 
holy fright, that looks complicated! I want to keep it simple, and well, cheap! Jason can you make me an internal overflow? I think I want one with the sides at a 45 degree angle, that looks nice. This isn't that big of a tank, I don't think I need all that going on... now for your big tank I think your creation would be ideal!
 
Oh no... not in the 300, it's got an over flow in the end... remember what I said about trying to keep the overflow easy to access and maintain and clean. yeah, you could put 1 overflow int he center with a modified angle back to the glass back, it need not be "boxy" like mine.



Jason
 
now THAT is interesting, and I think I'd be game to try it! I always wondered why the overflow had to go to the bottom of the tank... are teeth necessary on an overflow, and is there a way to screen the top, or something, to keep those pesky snails from plugging the drain pipes? I do like the idea of two drains more as a safety than anything else, just in case one got plugged.

Gosh, I do wish more people would chime in on this thread tho, I'd love some more input on what you all think!!!
 
Jessica,
Go with a durso standpipe for the overflows with a 90 degree bend at the bottom to go out the holes in the back of the tank. I love the lack of noise that my durso's Don't provide and I never have any snail-clog problems.
Also, while I love Jason's schematic and wish I had it in my tank, keep in mind the requirements of your corals (both the ones you have now and the ones you might buy in the future). If you go with a lot of mushrooms you may want to keep th flow down to a minimum. Then again you can always drill and plmb the heck out of the tank now and just install some bypasses so that the flow is light enough to not bother your shrooms. Good luck!
jandlms
 
All the drains in the world are meaningless, if the pump only turns the water 7 times an hour... at 46 gallons... at 4' head.... 322 gallons per hour less head loss... common, I'm only 15 times an hour and that's by calculator... I think I'm far less..more like 10-12.

I drew the diagram to show that we could be creative... I actually wanted to suggest that design to mike the other day when he was going to want someone to drill his 155. The truth is that the final design lies within you Jessica. I know it's not what you want to hear.... wheather you copy something because it's been done already and you simply like the way it looks, OR you do the best and most efficient design for your tank Thinking it thru... OR you Re-invent the wheel and throw caution to the wind and to something like I have above.... I live with my tanks... I drill your tank.... then you go home.

At least that's the way it's supposed to work, If you plan on sleeping on the couch, bring a permision slip and a sleeping bag.

Jason
 
Nice link to the Calfo style over flow Jason. An interesting approch to max. room on the floor of the tank. I would guess it would also keep the water noice to a min. as well. I did not care for the pvc return pipes going over the top of the back tank panel though.

Personally, I always liked the corner overflows but as Jason brought up prob. a pain to clean the insides.

Go for it Jessica!!!
 
Hey, Jess, when you decide give me a call. Or, if you and your hubby need some direction, stop and we'll talk. Things are going to get hectic fast... we're are 14 days and counting and I proly wont be available much the weekend of the 21st.

Why don't you slide over to the seahorse forum and see what everyone there is doing... for design... if thats where your interests lay...

You could always go to the ole' standard return in one corner, and drain in the other corner. Don't feel you have to go alternating current. I attribute some of my success to the alternating current, but there are plenty of people with out it...

You know the number...

Jason
 
no more horses, that's why I want it drilled now, they need such low flow... and that's why my tank is less than pristine as well. Hey, if I measure my tank, I don't suppose I could pawn off the buying of glass and building of the overflow on you? *bats eyelashes*
 
Ok, I can't make this any easier....

You bring the tank here.

We Talk for a few minutes.

I draw some circles on the glass...

You look at it....

You shake your head no....

I erase the circles and lines.... then redraw some new lines and circles.

You nod your head...yes...

I take out the drill and drill the holes.

You smile. You now have holes.

I call the glass company. I order the glass.

You either reimburse me or give me enough money to cover the glass and silicone or call them with the appropriate credit card number.

I pickup the glass and install the glass.

You come over to pickup the tank and you are happy. You stop by Fleet Farm to buy the bulkheads.

You go home and dream about the new tank and the stuff to be growing in it in 4 months or less.

You are happier that it is done.

I didn't oversimplify, did I. All people who customize their tanks do so with the intent that they can have lots of waterflow, because if you plan for having very little, well, lets just say there is no room for improvement.

J

An yes I suppose so, but you have to buy the fish, and YOU have to buy the Corals and YOU HAVE TO BUY THE SALT. And on and on...
 
2 overflows? no... 2 returns possibly. That's why I've been asking for input and advice from this quiet quiet group!

yep yep yep, Jason that sounds like a very good plan. Whatcha doing sunday evening? I have a dinner date with my grandpa at noon so it would be around 4 or 5 or so???

then maybe we can start tackling that sump... should I bring it with? I'd letcha put the glass baffles in there too if you reeeaally wanted to! muwahaha!
 
I'm not even going to read that last post til I finish another project first....

Arn't you married? Or is he one of those sissy boys?


I'm going back down stairs to work on the plumbing on the prop tank. (which is project 63 if your keeping track)

Stig, the thought crossed my mind, when she wasn't looking...
 
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