Planning process of 29 gallon- New member

[jawwad2004]

Good afternoon all:

I just found out about this community, and I'm already excited that there is a NYC reef community like this. I currently have a 10g tank that I plan on upgrading to a 29 gallon. You guys seem to be the experts as far as setting up tanks, and just flat out knowledge about NYC stores and what not.

My plans:
I'd like to set up my a 29 gallon and use the 10 gallon as a sump. At this point, I also plan on updating my skimmer to a Aqua C Remora. I admit, I'm very new to the idea of a sump.

I have a few questions.
1. Do you guys recommend any specific places in Brooklyn to have holes drilled in a glass tank for bulkheads?
2. Do you recommend an internal overflow for this tank? If so, where can I get one, or get it placed on the tank? I plan on leaving the DIY stuff to the tank back painting and possibly building a stand.

BTW, JHale, you do amazing work. I was just admiring the stand you built.

Look forward to hearing some thoughts.

Im selling my AquaC Remora if you're interested, check in the selling forum. I will also be posting my whole system for very cheap (55 gallon, refugium, stand, overflow box and return pump). So if you're interested in that PM me.

 

[Josh]

I recommend NOT getting a U-tube overflow. They are always a problem and you can flood your apartment very easily if the siphon stops. The corner overflow or back drilled overflows are probably the best option. Since your tank is small, it might be worth it to drill the holes so you can save more room in the tank. The u-tube ones are pretty big too!

 

[jawwad2004]

Yes, Ive heard that the U tubes are dangerous if they lose siphon, thank god its never happened to me.

 

[realhiphop]

As of now I've weighed it down to 3 options. With all three I will be drilling a hole in the back for draining, and probably one more for a return. I wanted to see what everyone thought.

1. Internal overflow box in the top right, or top left corner.
2. External overflow
3. No overflow, just a strainer over the pvc pipe.

There's no shot of me drilling the glass or attempting to. Where can I find overflow boxes? As far as I'm aware, all three of these options don't require a siphon, and prevent the chance of a flood. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Are there any relative advantages or distadvantges of any of them (except for the obvious space issue).

I do have 2 DIY projects that I plan for this tank. The easy one, painting the back (gotta start somewhere) and building a stand for this tank. Can anyone lead me to any good threads for tank stands with step by steps?

It's been a pleasure hearing everyone's thoughts. Everyone has been very helpful!

I'm hoping to get this project up and running so I can start stealing all of your live sand and start posting some pictures.

 

[jenniebutterfly]

welcome surprised i just noticed this thread hope to meet you at the swap

btw i have a 29 gallon listed for sale. back already painted can be see in my tank thread. but if you still want to start from scratch, here is a link to a diy stand

http://www.fishandtips.com/index.php

 

[bad coffee]

Welcome to MR!

I wondered why my ears were burning. I was going to post the link to my tank page. But then I said to myself, "Dean Probably has already!" And I was right.

Yeah, I drilled my tank, and I also drilled the holes for the return. I used a Roto-Zip (a big dremel tool basically)

I also have a bit for a 1" bulkhead. I've drilled a bunch of those holes.

For a quick rundown of my of my plumbing (my tank is a 20)

Overflow from the tank to an external box. through a 1 1/4" durso to the sump (DIY Acryic. Was going to be a 15H (10gal +6" taller) But when I re-designed my stand, I forgot my inside measurement. So my stand was 1/4" too narrow for the tank. So I built a sump.)
A Mag 7 (700 gph) hits a sqwd and alternates between returns at the top right and top left of the tank. I figure there's between 450-500 GPH going through my sump.

The light is a PFO 150w DE halide 14K

I made everything on the tank bigger than it needed to be. I could have easily gone with 1" return, and a 70w halide. But now I know that I can keep ANY coral I want without a problem.

You're welcome to come check out the tank anytime you want (if I'm home.)

3 Types of overflows:
Over-The-Back: Good points: You don't have to drill the tank. So there's no chance of cracking when you drill (the big concern with drilling) Bad: they will ALL eventually lose syphon and you'll overflow your tank.

Internal Drilled (reef ready) No syphon to break, But you lose space in the tank for the overflow box/strainer If you look at the first pic in the link dean posted, That was my original idea. but losing a 4x7" square from the back of the tank wasn't cool.

External Drilled (Like mine now) No ugly internal overflow box or strainer. But you have to leave the tank farther from the wall. (mine is 5" from the wall) Also becomes a cost factor if you keep breaking tanks. (I was using the wrong bit and broke 2 tanks. But I got to use the glass from the broken tanks to make the overflow box!) Once I found the right bit, I cut the tank in 5 minutes.

Also, You can't just spraypaint the back of the tank. You see the overflow box through the tank. I went with a piece of 1/8" acrylic I had my roommate cut on a Lazer cutter. She drew it up in CAD and cut those nifty curved teeth. Then I cut the holes for the bulkhead with a hole saw.

Let me know if you want to come see the tank, or if you have any other questions.
Brett

(and yes, I work for beer.)

 

[bad coffee]

Oh, and if you decide to go with the internal overflow, Spykes could hook you up with a nice custom one.

B

 

[Dmitry]

And if you're looking for a light I have an almost new 250W Hamilton pendant for sale with a 14000K bulb! (Used just a few months.)

 

[realhiphop]

Ok, I'm defintely going to go and drill the tank. I'm starting from scratch, so I want to do it right the first time. I've been reading a lot about these closed loop systems. I'm assuming they have to do with return. Can someone explain the difference between a closed loop, and a normal system with a return coming from the sump?

 

[spykes]

yes i can hook you up with a internal one for lunch money LOL, but why go internal when you can go external! even I went external, for our small tanks it's almost stupid to go internal, we save so much more space.

my tank:

that white stuff is acrylic dust after i polished it it's not there anymore hehhe
but you get to see how external overflow benifits you.

 

[jhale]

closed loop

the pump intake and return are both inside the tank, all it does is move water around inside the tank.

the return pump is located in the sump and pumps water back into the tank.

generally a closed loop i.e.. CL, will be more powerful than a return line.
the water has less of a distance to travel.

CL's are great for moving water, but will use up more power than power heads.

 

[spykes]

john whatcha mean? a powerhead is a CL LOL

 

[jhale]

a powerhead is not a CL, a powerhead is a pump if you stuck a tube on the end and had the output diverted to the opposite side of the tank, then you could have a powerhead powered CL.

 

[realhiphop]

Than in that case. Would anyone be willing to drill an external overflow for me?

 

[spykes]

badcoffee brett, like i said reakhiphop he'll work for beer money hehe.

 

[jawwad2004]

Bad Coffee drills?? lol. Im gettin a new 90 or 100, and need to get it drilled as well (external).

 

[realhiphop]

My next question is regarding RO/DI units. I plan on moving into an apartment in the city soon, and cutting pipe isn't an option. I was wondering what those of you who live in apartments do regarding tank water. I'd like to keep it running with a float valve, but logistically (space wise)- this isn't an option. I'm thinking a "make as I need method" might be the most doable.

Any thoughts?

 

[nanoreefer22]

I do the "make as I need" method. I just got a faucet adapter and it hooks right up to it. I make the water I need the put the RO/DI unit away. Working out pretty good so far..gets a little annoying but I can't gut the pipes either. Landlord would go crazy.

 

[realhiphop]

I don't have a standard faucet head on any of my sinks. Any other ways around this?

 

[bad coffee]

Check up inside the faucet and see if there's threads. Any newer sink will have threads, either inside or outside. You might want to change one over.

Don't forget to check the bathtub as well.

If you are absolutely sure you don't have one, do you have flexible pipes under the sink? could you screw in an adapter and T it off there?

BC