My Tank Holes

[tspatrick]

Ok, I still have a problem with my tank holes.

I asked about this before but still not sure of a solution. I bought a used 72 gallon bow front glass tank. It currently has 2 holes in each back corner measuring about 1 5/8" in diameter. Below are the pitures. Each has a bulkhead installed. I am going to setup a sump/refugium downstairs in the basement but I need to resolve this issue before starting anything else.

I was told that I could have major problem if one of these bulkheads leak or needs to be replaced.

Maybe a piece of glass seperating the holes from the rest of the tank but not sure if this will work or is it the best solution. If this will work, what kind of glass do I use? How thick? How tall do I make inside the tank and so on.....

Please help, Patrick

 

[dhoch]

Your best bet here is really to make a overflow box around them... that way if it leaks you won't have your whole tank emptying... if that's not clear...

Basically an oveflow is a box that surrounds the hole and seals to the back/sides... it's top is at the surface of the water and has teath to let the water flow over and in... Since it's near the top, you don't need to empty a lot of water out of the tank in order for nothing to be going down into your bulkheads.

Dave

 

[aquawolf]

Hi Patrick,

I would check the DIY forum for the threads concerning creating corner overflows and Durso stand pipes.

If you use just the bulk heads, then any substrate or small enough critters will ride the wave down into your basement.

Building proper overflows will solve the issues you are worried about.

Good Luck!

 

[tspatrick]

Thanks for the reply. One hole of course is the drain and the other is the return. Should both of these overflow boxes be at the same height?

Thanks, Patrick

 

[dhoch]

Don't have to be, but it's probably better if they are... I can't right now think of a reason postive or negative ... as long as your sump can handle the overflow volume.

Dave

 

[tspatrick]

yeah, that's a whole nother issue. I am installing the sump in the basement and still trying to figure out pipe size from tank to sump. Also, need to know how big of a return pump to install. I think a 20 or 30 gallon sump will work but of course still trying to figure that out as well.

Thanks, Patrick

 

[tspatrick]

Ok, I think I found the solution for the overflow issue.

http://dursostandpipes.com/

Now, I just need to know what kind of glass and how thick?

Thanks, Patrick.

 

[phil5613]

Marineland uses this system its called the JETSTREAM http://www.marineland.com/pr/con_pr_jssuper.asp it uses standpipes and not overflows. I never liked them and worried that if the standpipes break (rockslide) you have a potential to flood. If you want to use it that way try contacting them for parts. Other wise go to the hardware stoe get 1/4 inch acrylic glue it into a 2 sidebox and silicone it to the insides of the tank. makesure to notch the top and install the standpipes

 

[aquawolf]

You don't need to use glass for the overflow boxes. Check out the DIY section of the forum. You can use acrylic, or plastic as that is how most of the pre-drilled tanks are made.

Glad you found the information about the durso stand pipes.

 

[tspatrick]

Thanks for the help, How thick of an acrylic should I use? I would also like to make the acrylic black or blue since the back of my tank will be painted. Not sure how to do this since both sides of the overflow box will be wet.

Thanks, Patrick

 

[aquawolf]

I would use 1/4" like phil5613 said.

I would also visit a LFS and look at the RR (reef ready - pre-drilled with internal overflow) tanks to get a really good visual of what we have been talking about.

That picture and trip alone might save you thousands of headaches. ;-)

 

[Rendos]

You can do what I did...cut a piece of black 1/4" black acrylic and silicon it into the corner of your tank. Here is a picture...

 

[Rendos]

I used a router to cut the slots in the top for water to flow through.

 

[aquawolf]

Thanks Rendos, that is exactly what I was trying to explain to him. I suck at taking pictures though.

 

[tspatrick]

Thanks a bunch for your help. Can I obtain black acrylic at local stores like Home Depot and Lowes and what about Weld-on, can that be obtain locally as well. I know that I will use Aquarium Calk on this application but I am probably going to build my own sump out of acrylic.

Thanks, Patrick