Plumbing 50 G - will it work?

[butt.doc]

I am planning on drilling my new 50G this weekend, but am not sure of my design - any thoughts?

I plan to drill two 1" bulkheads, one in either upper back corner, for overflow. I will put a 1" threaded street elbow into each bulkhead, inside the tank, facing down, with a TEE connector on the outside of the tank in a sort of Durso configuration. I will fashion some sort of skimmer box for each overflow.

My questions are:
-Does anyone have any experience with this approach?
-How far below the waterline should I place the bulkheads?
-Do I need to restrict the flow from each overflow (as Durso does by incorporating a reduction in down tube diameter) and will a gate valve on each overflow work?
-Will there be enough flow, or should I use larger bulkheads?

I plan to use a 16 gallon Rubbermaid container for a sump with a MAG 7 for return flow and powerheads for increased circulation

Any other Ideas are welcome.

-Steve

 

[MicroChip]

My question is, with a nickname like butt.doc, what do you do for a living?

MC

 

[butt.doc]

Butt doc of course.

 

[butt.doc]

?

 

[Blk_Gto]

I'm sure that someone on this board can tell you bout larger tanks but when I was drilling for a 20G long, I accidentally used one that was too large. What happened was that the water would drain too fast so I had to either block the hole somewhat or increase the flow to the tank. I did the first one.

 

[butt.doc]

 

[SPC]

Steve, this is the way I have my 180 drilled.
1. Mine is drilled about 5" down from the top of the tank to the center of the hole. This distance was recommended by the tank maufacturer to ensure the integrity of the glass in this area. However I have seen them drilled as little as 2" from tank top to hole center and it seemed to be fine.
2. I went with the Durso mod on mine using an air valve on top to regulate. I am not sure what you want to use the gate valve for but if it is to restrict the water flow I would recommend against that.
3. 2 - 1" bulkheads are more than enough to handle a Mag 7, I would say you could use a Mag 12 with no problems.
Make sure you use a skimmer box of some kind (which I see you are planning) without it the surface skimming is greatly reduced.
Steve

 

[tazdevil]

butt doc- ARe u a GI specialist? (Iknow off the subj., but need help!)