My new to me build. Just got a bump in my steps

[islandVib3s]

55 FOWLR setup

Used:

55 gallon,stand and canopy

So I was planning on plumbing and drilling but after testing glass will polarized glasses I found that every pane is tempered 😖 i dont want to do a hang on overflow box because I've heard of all the accident that they do and I really don't want to run a air pump. I do have canister filters but want the sump so I'm thinking about doing the "DIY kings pvc overflow " so I can run a sump and also doing the updated version with the weir.  And another thing I need to decide is if I should split the return to DT to have 2 returns and 1 drain to sump. Maybe have it all centered on back wall and return heads pointing towards bottom mid corners. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance 

[Emerald525]

Didn’t know the trick of using polarized glasses to know if it’s tempered. That sucks and agree having had an external overflow or was a pain. It would get plugged and stop working and I always worried it would overflow. 
plumbing is not my thing but I would definitely go with two returns and one thing I'm considering is having two return pumps. I have it on a smaller scale and I like the redundancy I case one goes out. Also puts out better flow.

[islandVib3s]

4 hours ago, Emerald525 said:

Didn’t know the trick of using polarized glasses to know if it’s tempered. That sucks and agree having had an external overflow or was a pain. It would get plugged and stop working and I always worried it would overflow. 
plumbing is not my thing but I would definitely go with two returns and one thing I'm considering is having two return pumps. I have it on a smaller scale and I like the redundancy I case one goes out. Also puts out better flow.

Yea I think imma just run it on 2 canister to start the cycling and until I get the plumbing and parts figured out. Plumbing could definitely be a painful process lol especially if you glue bond them to soon. 90° looks nice but I've ran into alot of gurgling so I've switched to 45°s from past experiences lol. Also valves are necessary for fine tuning, gate valves are nice but cost a pretty penny. Ball valves will get the job done but could be a pain to open and close,but honestly why would you keep messing with the adjustments lol I tell myself that everytime I adjust my flow which is randomly 😆 

[Higher Thinking]

Congrats on the new build. I'm not familiar with the DIY overflow, but hopefully that works out good. Since the back can't be drilled, remember that each return is just one more thing you have to hang over the back. Single return would likely look cleaner, just my thoughts. 

[islandVib3s]

6 hours ago, Higher Thinking said:

Congrats on the new build. I'm not familiar with the DIY overflow, but hopefully that works out good. Since the back can't be drilled, remember that each return is just one more thing you have to hang over the back. Single return would likely look cleaner, just my thoughts. 

Yea plumbing is going to be a pain,only tank that fits that I have on hand us a 10 gallon for this cabinet, ill make a decision next week on how and what I want,pump comes in Saturday. 

[Shar_Zard]

I used a HOB overflow, I added an apex and flow sensor to kill return if the overflow loses vacuum 

[islandVib3s]

On 7/13/2021 at 11:25 AM, Emerald525 said:

Didn’t know the trick of using polarized glasses to know if it’s tempered. That sucks and agree having had an external overflow or was a pain. It would get plugged and stop working and I always worried it would overflow. 
plumbing is not my thing but I would definitely go with two returns and one thing I'm considering is having two return pumps. I have it on a smaller scale and I like the redundancy I case one goes out. Also puts out better flow.

Yea its pretty simple,use your phone on a white screen and hold it on the inside of the pane,turn polarized glasses till you see waves=tempered. No waves means you can drill. I've also did it with a laptop inside the tank.still coming along and cycling. Butter clams to help filter out the OD of ammonia. When or if they dies they with be diy fish cubes.theyve lived 2 days now 😆 🤣 

[islandVib3s]

Sump diy update .just going with a 10g and a reactor refugium. Debating  on plumbing another tank like a 5.5 or another 10g as a emergency overflow tank for the sump area.