newkie
Premium Member
Hello,
I'm having a new tank custom built for me. I am thinking of a 50"x28"x28" (170gal). I am trying to design the overflow and need some help.
First, I plan on using an Ampmaster3000 (3000gph @ 4') return pump and plumb with 1.5" PVC to two or more outlets. This is secondary water flow, primary will be with Reeftec wavemakers and possibly Tunze Streams later. The questions is what diameter hole is required to accommodate the flow of this pump? Would a 2" bulkhead with a Durso or Stockman standpipe suffice? I would prefer not to scale back the pump, but will of course plumb it so it can be.
Second, I am considering a center overflow. Are there any considerations against a center overflow that I should be aware of?
Third, in trying to design the center overflow I have some options which affect the surface area of the overflow. I won't bore you with the details but I wanted to verify something. In your book you state that you want the "thinnest" amount of water to enter the overflow. From what I understand the bigger the surface area of the overflow the "thinner" the water becomes making it more efficient. Does this make sense? So a 12" x 5" overflow is better than a 5" x 9" overflow. A corralary is how much surface area is enough? Is there any number that for a given size tank you want the surface area of the overflow to be X?
Fourth, I believe I will have one large drain in the center of the tank which will hit a 45degree elbow and flow down the far right side of the cabinet and enter the sump. That compartment will also hold the skimmer. I've seen some designs where that chamber is filled very high with water before going to the other 2/3rds of the sump where the water is about 1/3 the height of the sump. Is this a way of reducing bubbles? Is there any way to calculate, based on that much flow and knowing the dimensions of the sump, how to place the bubble baffles? I am worried that if placed incorrectly that the velocity will be too high and the bubbles will be carried through the baffles. This also makes me wonder about having a large area with no baffles before the intakes. Any help here is appreciated as I am having my sump custom made so I have a lot of freedom... to mess up!
Fifth, maybe if the tank were longer I could really consider this but I have seen some people remotely locating their sandbed in the sump. I think my turnover rate would be too high to accomplish this. I don't even know if there is a way to determine how much surface area of a sufficiently deep DSB is necessary to accomplish denitification of a heavily stocked system to know if it would work.
Sixth, I plan on having a DSB in my tank and wanted extra height specifically for this (5" to be covered by the stand). I really liked the idea in your book about building a PVC structure to support the rockwork. The ladder structure to support a large overhang: what diameter PVC would you recommend.. would 1" be enough? 3/4"? I also liked the idea you had to expose openings and cover them with a screen to create a refugium inside the PVC. Because this structure has so much PVC burried in the sand I think I will take advantage of this to boost my pod population.
I have many more questions but figure this is enough for now.
Cheers,
Chris
I'm having a new tank custom built for me. I am thinking of a 50"x28"x28" (170gal). I am trying to design the overflow and need some help.
First, I plan on using an Ampmaster3000 (3000gph @ 4') return pump and plumb with 1.5" PVC to two or more outlets. This is secondary water flow, primary will be with Reeftec wavemakers and possibly Tunze Streams later. The questions is what diameter hole is required to accommodate the flow of this pump? Would a 2" bulkhead with a Durso or Stockman standpipe suffice? I would prefer not to scale back the pump, but will of course plumb it so it can be.
Second, I am considering a center overflow. Are there any considerations against a center overflow that I should be aware of?
Third, in trying to design the center overflow I have some options which affect the surface area of the overflow. I won't bore you with the details but I wanted to verify something. In your book you state that you want the "thinnest" amount of water to enter the overflow. From what I understand the bigger the surface area of the overflow the "thinner" the water becomes making it more efficient. Does this make sense? So a 12" x 5" overflow is better than a 5" x 9" overflow. A corralary is how much surface area is enough? Is there any number that for a given size tank you want the surface area of the overflow to be X?
Fourth, I believe I will have one large drain in the center of the tank which will hit a 45degree elbow and flow down the far right side of the cabinet and enter the sump. That compartment will also hold the skimmer. I've seen some designs where that chamber is filled very high with water before going to the other 2/3rds of the sump where the water is about 1/3 the height of the sump. Is this a way of reducing bubbles? Is there any way to calculate, based on that much flow and knowing the dimensions of the sump, how to place the bubble baffles? I am worried that if placed incorrectly that the velocity will be too high and the bubbles will be carried through the baffles. This also makes me wonder about having a large area with no baffles before the intakes. Any help here is appreciated as I am having my sump custom made so I have a lot of freedom... to mess up!

Fifth, maybe if the tank were longer I could really consider this but I have seen some people remotely locating their sandbed in the sump. I think my turnover rate would be too high to accomplish this. I don't even know if there is a way to determine how much surface area of a sufficiently deep DSB is necessary to accomplish denitification of a heavily stocked system to know if it would work.
Sixth, I plan on having a DSB in my tank and wanted extra height specifically for this (5" to be covered by the stand). I really liked the idea in your book about building a PVC structure to support the rockwork. The ladder structure to support a large overhang: what diameter PVC would you recommend.. would 1" be enough? 3/4"? I also liked the idea you had to expose openings and cover them with a screen to create a refugium inside the PVC. Because this structure has so much PVC burried in the sand I think I will take advantage of this to boost my pod population.
I have many more questions but figure this is enough for now.

Cheers,
Chris