lancecobb1 Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 Its 48"x20"x12" It has a single overflow in the center of the back. I am running a HUGE internal pump that the drain cant handle and have it dialed way back, It goes into a scwd then to the spraybars. The lighting is 4 54w t5s, waiting on new bulbs should be here this week. Skimmer is a octopus ps-2000. My plan was to run a big return pump through the spraybars to eliminate powerheads in the tank, but I need to figure something out with the drain!(scratch) I guess i could cut some more drain holes? Let me know if you have any ideas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 is the scwd 3/4 or 1"/ You can onlu get so much flow through them. I set my tanks up the same way as you have it now. You can enlarge the hole but that is risky drilling or of set 2 drains(one ) on either side of the center and center them from main to tank end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancecobb1 Posted September 29, 2009 Author Share Posted September 29, 2009 its only 3/4 scwd. if i take the pipe out of the overflow then it will keep up and i can run the pump full blast, but it is super loud and tons of bubbles in the sump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undrtkr_00 Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 Sounds like it is not the holes that are restricting you, but the drain pipe. Can you use a larger diameter drain pipe with a reducer at the bottom to fit the existing bulkhead? My reading on those overflows indicated that this was the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef165 Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 Very nice setup. Interested to see how your 4 bulb fixture is going to do. I am thinking of going with t5's when I get back to work and have been thinking I need a 6 bulb but the $ diff between the 4 and 6 bulb is almost double and I dont know if its justifyable to go with the 6 if the 4 will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 Do you have room to add a backup drain? If so then you can pull the current drain pipe out and put a screen at the bottom and just use the herbie method. I.E. Adjust the drain to match the flow. Having a backup drain is important though in case the primary one gets plugged. A big benefit is that the only sound you will hear besides the pump is any distance the water falls at the bottom. (Mine is submerged at the bottom so I don't even hear that) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancecobb1 Posted September 30, 2009 Author Share Posted September 30, 2009 The 4 bulb should be pretty good, it has individual reflectors and the tank is only 12 inches deep. If I pull the pipe out and adjust the flow it wont make the loud girggling and sucking noise? do you have to adjust it all the time? What do you guys think about drilling another hole in the overflow just out of the side? the overflow is kinda small so there isnt alot of options. Thanks for all the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePremiumAquarium Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Looking really good man! I am loveing it. I would recommend just drilling the existing hole out to fit a 1.5" bulkhead. You can even drill out a template piece to guide the blade so that you don't have to worry about the hole getting all mangled from a wobbling hole saw. This would be pleanty of drain power and you would just need to go buy the same pieces to set up a 1.5" version of your current drain. Sweet stuff! I am excited to see how bright your light is with the new bulbs. It might just convince me to use my 6 bulb over one of my tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancecobb1 Posted September 30, 2009 Author Share Posted September 30, 2009 im getting two ati blue+, uvl actinic white,ati aquablue Should have some sweet colors and some good growth... I might get a 6500k bulb to get more growth, and it will pull some greens and yellows out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancecobb1 Posted September 30, 2009 Author Share Posted September 30, 2009 How would I do the template? Good thing its only around 50 gallons and it shouldnt be to hard to drain and move around! although I might try to drill it where it is with water in it... What a pain!! The light is pretty bright with my 2 year old crappy current bulbs in it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 If I pull the pipe out and adjust the flow it wont make the loud girggling and sucking noise? No gurgling or sucking. it is quieter than durso, etc. because they work by limiting the amount of air going through (meaning they do let some through) whereas the herbie method eliminates all of the air. All you need to do is match the drain to the same flow as the return. do you have to adjust it all the time? No, Once it's adjusted to the right rate it will generally stay within a couple of inches up or down with the overflow level. If the drain at the bottom is submerged (Making it silient) then you need to be sure it is in an area that will stay at a steady height. Otherwise as the sump level changes the pressure will change requiring it to be adjusted. If you can't get a steady height then I would keep it just above the water rather than submerging it. What do you guys think about drilling another hole in the overflow just out of the side? the overflow is kinda small so there isnt alot of options. I would just make sure the hole is slightly above the normal water level in the box but low enough to drain the system if the main drain ever got plugged. Whether it goes out the bottom or side will not make much difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new school Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 i like it lance..... pretty smooth set up. i still been really busy with my new set up as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancecobb1 Posted October 3, 2009 Author Share Posted October 3, 2009 Here is some updated pics! got the sand in and some live rock in the sump. I also got my new bulbs in and they are sweet! I still need to figure out the drain but other than that it is ready. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePremiumAquarium Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 Looking real nice man! The rock fits well in that sump too (laugh) It will be nice to see it fill with corals over the coming months. We will definately have to do some trading! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancecobb1 Posted October 4, 2009 Author Share Posted October 4, 2009 I had to break up one of the rocks to fit it in there! half of it would have stuck out of the water if I didnt! The skimmer is pulling crap out of the water like crazy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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