Used Reef Tank Question

[TONY_C]

Hi. Still working on my first reef tank, I am still in the reading and studying stage but I have found a used 75 gallon reef tank for sale, I think it is a Red Sea tank. It has two holes in the bottom, center rear, behind a weir. One is larger than the other. There is no plumbing included. My question, is this a Durso design? I am assuming the lager hole is for the drain and the smaller hole is for the return. I have read that the Durso type can be noisy. Can I use both holes for drain, the larger for the main drain and the smaller as an emergency drain and send the return up the back outside the tank? I'm not sure what my options are, any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Tony

 

[Jscwerve]

I'd use the smaller for a full suction line, the larger for a durso, and then run the return over the back.

 

[TONY_C]

I'd use the smaller for a full suction line, the larger for a durso, and then run the return over the back.

So you mean the smaller pipe is in constant use and is below the water line under normal conditions?

 

[Jscwerve]

So you mean the smaller pipe is in constant use and is below the water line under normal conditions?

Yes, but I am also far from the expert, just my opinion.

The smaller one I'd put a U shaped pipe in and a gate valve underneath to regulate it to being a full siphon that matches the speed of your return pump.

Then I'd set up a Durso on the other pipe that is wide open and have it be about 1/2" higher than the first.

This will keep it whisper quiet and have plenty of room for if your first pipe clogs.

 

[Marinenthusiast]

Is the overflow built in the corner or middle or is there a box? Mine is in the corner and i went with the herbie method. 1in and 3/4in bulkheads. larger is emergency and smaller is main drain

 

[TONY_C]

It's in the middle, enclosed by a rectangular weir.

 

[Ron Reefman]

There are a number of ways you can use those holes, but I think Jscwerve has about as good a solution as I can think of. I have a 180g with 2 holes. I used the bigger as the main drain with a durso, The smaller is set taller as an emergency drain. I then used a CRP siphon overflow box as a supplementary drain. My return line from the sump goes over the back.

However, your's isn't set up yet, so you could consider drilling an extra hole or two and hide tall visible pipes in the tank with rocks. I have my skimmer gravity fed by a hole that isn't behind the weir. It feeds directly to the skimmer through a ball valve (use a gate valve, it gives you better control) and has an internal pump to mix air and stir the water inside the skimmer.

 

[Bono]

I've always used the smaller for a return and large for a drain and never had an issue. As long as you use an appropriately sized return pump you wont have a problem. I definitely wouldn't start drilling extra holes especially being your first tank.

 

[TONY_C]

I've always used the smaller for a return and large for a drain and never had an issue. As long as you use an appropriately sized return pump you wont have a problem. I definitely wouldn't start drilling extra holes especially being your first tank.

First, let me thank everyone for their input.

I don't want to drill any additional holes and I was looking at the Durso standpipe on some you tube videos and it seems like the biggest drawback is the bubbles that it creates in the sump. I saw some people are making a reverse Durso in the sump to alleviate these bubbles. I think I am going to try that. The Durso website says that for the 1" drain bulkhead you need to make the standpipe out of 1-1/4" PVC. The tank is going in my cave so as long as the pipe is relatively quiet I can deal with it. It's more important that it self primes again in the event of a power failure.

 

[Marinenthusiast]

If youre interested in the herbie method which is easily done and completely silent, just google "gmacreef herbie method" and you will find all the info you need and more