Return lines on a 300 gallon?

[567234ta]

I have decided to go with reef savvy for my large and (hopefully) final tank.
It will be an in wall tank, 72x 30 tall x 32 deep, my question is about overflow and return lines, is having holes drilled in the bottom a bad idea? I want to have as few powerheads as i can and use the return from the sump for flow as much as possible.
What would you recommend?

 

[mm949]

sometimes i use both holes in the overflows for drains and run the return(1.5") up the back

i have several holes in the bottom of my tank for a 5600gph closed loop, no powerheads at all

 

[prop-frags]

Having an in-wall tank, you have many options available. If you are going to drill the bottom, I recommend you go with schedule 80 sized holes and invest in the best bulkheads you can buy - do NOT cheap out on sch-40 bulkheads. I'm a big fan of closed loops, and have had them in my last three setups. It really does depend on what kind of livestock and aquascaping you are planning for your setup, but using closed loops, return flow eductors, and cleverly placed in-tank pumps can be part of a well-designed system. Bottom line, I have no reservations about bottom drilling given the use of high quality sch-80 bulkheads.

 

[567234ta]

Do you use one way water flow valves incase of pump failure? how do you keep the water from just pouring out if the pump stops?

 

[Northside Reef]

Do you use one way water flow valves incase of pump failure? how do you keep the water from just pouring out if the pump stops?

On a closed loop the holes in the bottom of the tank feed the intake of the pump the discharge of the pump goes back to the tank so if the pump stops water flow stops.

They should never be plumbed to your sump.

 

[567234ta]

On a closed loop the holes in the bottom of the tank feed the intake of the pump the discharge of the pump goes back to the tank so if the pump stops water flow stops.

They should never be plumbed to your sump.

I just realized thismorning how it works lol, i was thinking it was being used for filtration, but it's just for circulation. It all makes sense to me now.

The main reason i wanted this was so i didnt have to run powerheads. I think it will be worth doing for sure.

 

[biecacka]

it will be worth it, i want to upgrade my 220 to a cube and will like likely put a CL on the cube
corey

 

[prop-frags]

Check out this thread for some great ideas on flow in large tanks.