I posted a similar thread on the DIY forum but I realize my thread might be better placed in the NtTH forum since I am a newbie. My apologies to all.
I realize I'm gonna end up wasting 1 plane ticket on my mistakes setting this thing up but I'm trying to avoid wasting 2. Thanks for any help.
I have a standard Aqueon 125 gallon tank (72" l x 18" w x 24"h) on a standard stand about 30" high. It serves as a room divider or island displaying three sides. I wanted to drill the 4th short (18") side and set up a herbie. I have read everything I think I can find on drilling but I haven't come by any posts on the advisability of drilling the short side (18") of a tank. When I spoke to my LFS guy, he advised me against it.
My original plan...
Plan #1 was to use a 12" CPR Retrofit Overflow Box with two 1-1/2" bulkheads and one 1" bulkhead for the return. However, I am a little concerned that 3 holes (2 large ones) on the short side of the tank might be pushing it a little, i.e. I might be weakening the glass too much.
Thus,
Plan #2 was to go with two 1-1/2" bulkheads but not drill the return and just purchase a u-shaped return jet to hang on the tank.
But, after talking to LFS guy...
Plan #3 would it be better still to go with two 1" bulkheads and a hang-on u-shaped return jet? Would this be safer, i.e. weaken the tank less and still provide me with sufficient flow (5x or 6x) for the sump?
Would using a smaller 1" bulkhead also cut down on the possibility of creating an evil vortex in my overflow box giving rise to a constant flushing toilet in my living room? (my LFS guy scared me with this one.)
I realize if I drill big, I can always reduce the flow rate with a gate valve. However, I don't want to weaken the structural integrity of the tank more than I have to. That is, if a 1" bulkhead will do the job, why push my luck?
So...
Plan #4 suggested by Gorgok (thank you) on the DIY forum was to go with three bulkheads and do a beanaminal and an over the tank return. I liked his idea. My understanding of a beananimal is a super safe herbie - 1 siphon for flow, 1 trickle for your fine adjustments and 1 emergency just in case. However, drilling three 2" holes or three 2-1/2" holes on the short side the tank still makes me a little nervous - any second opinions?
Which leads to sump/refugium considerations. I am initially planning a FOWL tank until I figure out what I am doing but I do want to leave the option of adding coral later. Given this scenario, should I add a 30 gallon (36.3" x 12.7" x 16.8") sump which will allow me to add a 20 gallon high (24.3" x 12.5" x 16.8") refugium at a later date (if wanted/needed) or should I just go with a 40 gallon long (48.3" x 12.8" x 16.9") sump and worry about a refugium in a couple of years...
And finally, any advice on the return pump. I was looking at either the Eheim Compact 5000 (Output: 660-1321 GPH) or 3000 ( Output: 396-793 GPH)? I'm leaning toward the 5000 since I'll probably lose a lot of flow from the 5' rise from the floor of the sump to over the top of the tank. Does this seem like a reasonable choice?
Thanks for your thoughts and any advice...
-Michael
I realize I'm gonna end up wasting 1 plane ticket on my mistakes setting this thing up but I'm trying to avoid wasting 2. Thanks for any help.
I have a standard Aqueon 125 gallon tank (72" l x 18" w x 24"h) on a standard stand about 30" high. It serves as a room divider or island displaying three sides. I wanted to drill the 4th short (18") side and set up a herbie. I have read everything I think I can find on drilling but I haven't come by any posts on the advisability of drilling the short side (18") of a tank. When I spoke to my LFS guy, he advised me against it.
My original plan...
Plan #1 was to use a 12" CPR Retrofit Overflow Box with two 1-1/2" bulkheads and one 1" bulkhead for the return. However, I am a little concerned that 3 holes (2 large ones) on the short side of the tank might be pushing it a little, i.e. I might be weakening the glass too much.
Thus,
Plan #2 was to go with two 1-1/2" bulkheads but not drill the return and just purchase a u-shaped return jet to hang on the tank.
But, after talking to LFS guy...
Plan #3 would it be better still to go with two 1" bulkheads and a hang-on u-shaped return jet? Would this be safer, i.e. weaken the tank less and still provide me with sufficient flow (5x or 6x) for the sump?
Would using a smaller 1" bulkhead also cut down on the possibility of creating an evil vortex in my overflow box giving rise to a constant flushing toilet in my living room? (my LFS guy scared me with this one.)
I realize if I drill big, I can always reduce the flow rate with a gate valve. However, I don't want to weaken the structural integrity of the tank more than I have to. That is, if a 1" bulkhead will do the job, why push my luck?
So...
Plan #4 suggested by Gorgok (thank you) on the DIY forum was to go with three bulkheads and do a beanaminal and an over the tank return. I liked his idea. My understanding of a beananimal is a super safe herbie - 1 siphon for flow, 1 trickle for your fine adjustments and 1 emergency just in case. However, drilling three 2" holes or three 2-1/2" holes on the short side the tank still makes me a little nervous - any second opinions?
Which leads to sump/refugium considerations. I am initially planning a FOWL tank until I figure out what I am doing but I do want to leave the option of adding coral later. Given this scenario, should I add a 30 gallon (36.3" x 12.7" x 16.8") sump which will allow me to add a 20 gallon high (24.3" x 12.5" x 16.8") refugium at a later date (if wanted/needed) or should I just go with a 40 gallon long (48.3" x 12.8" x 16.9") sump and worry about a refugium in a couple of years...
And finally, any advice on the return pump. I was looking at either the Eheim Compact 5000 (Output: 660-1321 GPH) or 3000 ( Output: 396-793 GPH)? I'm leaning toward the 5000 since I'll probably lose a lot of flow from the 5' rise from the floor of the sump to over the top of the tank. Does this seem like a reasonable choice?
Thanks for your thoughts and any advice...
-Michael
