New to tank plumbing.

[Sinocard]

So, a friend gave me a super awesome deal on a 70 acrylic, drilled with bulkheads.

But I'm pretty new to this. Need to be pointed in the right direction to get this bad boy started! I come from freshwater land, where canister filters reign supreme... So I have no real experience with sumps :spin2:

Where do I begin, assuming I have a sump but no pump?

From the ground to the top of the tank, it's about 6 feet. Tank itself is 29 inches tall.

 

[JammyBirch]

That is going to be a difficult tank to set up. Drilled in middle of the floor...

I'd plug those fitting and drill the back, up high. Order an overflow and install it.

As for the sump try to find a small tank that would fit under the stand and start there

 

[ericarenee]

That is a hex tank and was setup for a Middle insert/ Center overflow box.. They Look kewl and the fish can swim around and around also view able from all sides. You can do the over flow by getting a tall round or square acrylic tube (even make one yourself) To go right in the middle of the tank and the bulkhead inside. or you can use pvc up and put a over flow skimmer box on top. But this would be loud.....
I Would search google images for a center drilled 360 deg view tank to get some images.. I thought about doing one like this.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

That is a hex tank and was setup for a Middle insert/ Center overflow box.. They Look kewl and the fish can swim around and around also view able from all sides. You can do the over flow by getting a tall round or square acrylic tube (even make one yourself) To go right in the middle of the tank and the bulkhead inside. or you can use pvc up and put a over flow skimmer box on top. But this would be loud.....
I Would search google images for a center drilled 360 deg view tank to get some images.. I thought about doing one like this.

Yes, I would love a setup like that. You can make some kind of circular (or square) overflow box in the middle, and even cover it completely with a mix of real and artificial rock so it looks like a rock pillar. You can add ledges and such all around it and use it as THE rockwork in the tank, leaving the rest open

 

[Sinocard]

That is a hex tank and was setup for a Middle insert/ Center overflow box.. They Look kewl and the fish can swim around and around also view able from all sides. You can do the over flow by getting a tall round or square acrylic tube (even make one yourself) To go right in the middle of the tank and the bulkhead inside. or you can use pvc up and put a over flow skimmer box on top. But this would be loud.....
I Would search google images for a center drilled 360 deg view tank to get some images.. I thought about doing one like this.

I'm not TOO concerned about noise, so that sounds like a good option.

Can anyone help me out with some links?

 

[mmittlesteadt]

This was all I could find as an example so far...

 

[Sinocard]

This was all I could find as an example so far...

Yeah, I can't really find much either in terms of step by step builds lol.

Looks simple though. From what I gather, I can just get a big ol' piece of PVC... cut it to be an overflow, and acrylic weld it in?

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Here's another option...seems to show step by step of a different method...

 

[Sinocard]

Here's another option...seems to show step by step of a different method...

That looks interesting! Shame they didn't finish the post!

Would there be anything wrong with just getting two big pieces of PVC pipe to use as overflow and return? I was already planning a rock pillar in the middle, so that's not a big deal.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

That looks interesting! Shame they didn't finish the post!

Would there be anything wrong with just getting two big pieces of PVC pipe to use as overflow and return? I was already planning a rock pillar in the middle, so that's not a big deal.

Probably not. You'd have to figure out how to make some kind of overflow at the top of the drain pipe though. Perhaps widen it with larger diameter PVC pipe the higher it goes until it fits something like a large flared PVC that you could cut teeth in for the weir. Something like this flared fitting.

 

[Sinocard]

Probably not. You'd have to figure out how to make some kind of overflow at the top of the drain pipe though. Perhaps widen it with larger diameter PVC pipe the higher it goes until it fits something like a large flared PVC that you could cut teeth in for the weir. Something like this flared fitting.

Yup, was going to cut teeth if I decide to go the DIY path instead of just buying an (expensive) center overflow box.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Yup, was going to cut teeth if I decide to go the DIY path instead of just buying an (expensive) center overflow box.

Thanks for all the help!

Sure. I'm just tossing out ideas because I'd be on the same path as you if I had a center overflow. I think it would be cool to keep it and integrate into an overall 360 degree look.

Just think of it like any other overflow, except yours would have a weir all around it. Just keep Googling everything you can think of for a description...you are bound to run into someone who has done what you want to do.

Perhaps start a new thread here on RC entitled DIY Center Overflow in the DIY forum. You'll probably get more help there.