Tank drilled on bottom ok for sps?

[Mehul]

I'm considering starting a new sps tank. I found a great tank at the local LFS but its drilled at the bottom instead of one of the side walls. The salesperson said design such as this has been around in use for years. Water exists from the bottom and is returned at the sides. There is a fine cover that prevents sand or anything from entering the overflow. My question is would this make a difference with a deep sand bed? I meant all the pods and worms that burrow in there. Anyone have expierience with something like this? Again this will be an sps dominated tank so I want to do things right from the start. Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[JAANDGC]

I'm having a problem seeing that in my head, but it is 2am, is there a bulkhead on the bottom of the tank, or just a hole? If just a hole can you put a bulkhead in it. If so I would just install a stand pipe so it pulls water from the surface.
Jerry

 

[marine_freak]

DITTO PUT A STAND PIPE TO THE HEIGHT YOU WANT YOUR WATER..... HOW BIG IS THE DIAMETER??? JUST INTERESTED BECAUSE TOO SMALL WILL RESTRICT YOUR FLOW.....

 

[beard]

IMO Flow my be a problem with a hole in the bottom it has alot of weight pushing it out. You will nee a very very good return pump and alot of praying that the pump or power never goes out. Or you will soon be swiming with the fishes (in you living room). Unless you add a pipe up to the top of the tank from the hole. Even then I dont think I would get a tank with a hole drilled in the bottom! Sounds like a adventure I wouldnt want to go on.

 

[ReeferMonkey]

Are you smoking crack beard? Standpipes going in the bottom of the tank are totally acceptable, if not the norm in the hobby.

Obviously you need a bulkhead and standpipe. I would probably recommend some sort of overflow box but this may not be feasible depending on the location of the hole. A friend of mine just has a standpipe on his 120g BB SPS system and he has no problems.

 

[Mehul]

so i would have to consider a durso pipe mod? That would suck because the hole is drilled a bit in the front of the tank, right in the middle.

 

[ReeferMonkey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7260855#post7260855 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mehul
so i would have to consider a durso pipe mod? That would suck because the hole is drilled a bit in the front of the tank, right in the middle.

You wouldn't necessarily have to use a durso. You could use a regular pipe and wait for it to slime up and maybe you wouldnt' have any sound. However you'd be looking at a pipe front and center in your aquarium.

One option would to seal off the bulkhead and drill the rear (Calfo overflow anyone?) or the opposite side of the bottom. THis wouldn't work if you were going BB but you could hide it under a sand bed.

 

[Wazzel]

If the hole is near the back or one of the corners you could build and overflow box around it. Just the stand pipe should work also.

 

[ReeferMonkey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7260927#post7260927 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wazzel
If the hole is near the back or one of the corners you could build and overflow box around it. Just the stand pipe should work also.

I was thinking of Adrian's 120g - he has a nice looking tank and you don't ever notice the stand pipe. It is, however, on the very back of his tank.

 

[Wazzel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7260950#post7260950 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReeferMonkey
I was thinking of Adrian's 120g - he has a nice looking tank and you don't ever notice the stand pipe. It is, however, on the very back of his tank.

Yes it is very nice. Looks better in person. The way he has it set up you hardly notice.

 

[bagedtaco]

just build your live rock up around to hide the pipe. "center overflow"