hole locations for new tank

[aaron]

I am just about to go and order my new 36g Bowfront from petland (by far the chaepest place i could find in NY). I am getting it custom drilled with an overflow and closed loop and i just wanted peoples opinions on where to put the holes. I am thinking of getting both holes drilled midway down the back and about 4 inches in from the sides - one on each side.
Both these holes will be for the intakes - one for the overflow box into the sump and the other for the closed loop intake. Both returns will be over the rim to seaswirls
What does everyone think of this? i am completely open to suggestions.

 

[jhale]

I've seen overflows drilled higher. this gives more room as the water does not have to fall very far.
I also like the external overflows, but you have to drill the teeth out with a dremel, not fun.

 

[bad coffee]

drill the hole for the overflow at the top, then build a low-profile box so you won't take up that much tank room. Put the durso on the outside as well.

The closed loop can be anywhere. I think your plan is good, I might even suggest putting it dead center, but then you have to deal with the strainer behind the rockwork.

Post some pics when you get it!

BC

 

[Tim]

Dont forget when the power goes off how much of the water is going to drain out. I would suggest putting your drain for your sump as high as possible.Good luck!

 

[jhale]

what BC said

 

[aaron]

I have found that if the overflow hole is too high i have trouble getting the water to drain away quickly enough which means i have to cut down on flow My current tank has the overflow about 4 inches below the water level and when i crank the pump up i end up overflowing the tank. (its a 3/4" bulkhead). I have a clear hose for the drain and while the tank is overflowing there is still air in the line. I dont know if this is to do with the air pressure versus head pressure of the water but it pisses me off.
Tim, the amount of water that drains to the sump in a power failure is limited to the height of the overflow box, not the postion of the pipe, The pipe/ bulkhead location just dictates the depth of your overflow box.
I have always had my overflow bulkheads in the bottom of the tank, so this is the first time i have had to deal with these problems.

 

[aaron]

As far as the loop goes i plan on putting the strainer in the corner behind the rockwork.
Will post complete pics of this entire project soon, including DIY stand, skimmer, argocrete rocks etc.