tank was designed for a center overflow

[Fulinn]

I have been given a 30 gal glass aquarium with a center overflow set up.

I could use some advise on how to make the best use of this tank.

I know nothing about sump pumps and water flow. How do hide the pipe that returns the water from the sump, I mean it right smack in the middle of the fish tank !!

Bonnie

 

[Anonymous]

Here is the basics.

Main tank goes up top, sump goes below it. When all power is off the main tank should be full up to the bottom of the overflow teeth, the sump should be almost completely full. When you turn the power to the system on a pump will return water from the sump up to the main tank. That water will then cause the water level in the main tank to rise and some falls into the overflow where it then drains down to the sump to repeat the process.


What is the point you ask?

1. You can hide skimmers and heaters and other devices in the sump, out of site of the tank's viewers (you)

2. the falling water into the sump makes for a lot of air exchange in the water. That eliminates any need for air pumps and air stones that bubble in the main tank. That cuts down on salt creep around the main tank.

3. It increases the amount of water in the system which increases the amount of bioload (fish) that you can put in the main tank.



Now, the return pipe.

There are many ways to plumb that, you could have it come up the inside of the overflow and out through a bulkhead fitting, you could have it come up the back outside of the tank, over the top lip and down into the water, you could even put a bulkhead fitting near the top of the display tank and have it shoot through that.

Its really up to you

Hope that helps, Enjoy!

 

[moggyhill]

cover it up with a live rock pile and some corals, functional, the lr adds to the filtration

 

[Fulinn]

Well, I'm giving serious thought to using a sump for my 75 gal tank. I have the tank selected <not bought, as a sale is coming up and I want the 30% discount>

This tank is not drilled for a sump. Can I still add a sump to it some how without drilling the tank ?

My 30 gal tank is drilled <what prompted me to post this topic in the first place> but I wanted to save it for a seahorse tank in 6 months or so.

Thanks !

bonnie

 

[ChrisRD]

You can use a hang-on overflow and have a sump without drilling. That said, I suggest getting the tank drilled.

 

[Anonymous]

If you have the slightest skill at do it yourselfing do a bit of searching on drilling it yourself with a dremel.

The dremel is around 50 and the bit around 10

so 60$ and you can drill holes in glass for life..

As long as its not tempered that is...

 

[Fulinn]

To the best of my knowledge it looks like normal glass.

I don't know about drilling it myself...those who know me don't let me use much more than a screwdriver. <lol>

I'll get it some thought and may just wait till I set up the one that is pre-drilled.

Bonnie

 

[ChrisRD]

If you do decide to drill it yourself, personally I prefer a diamond coring bit.

Places like Ameriglas sell the size you need to install a 1" bulkhead (requires a 1-3/4" hole) for about $45 and also have instructions on how to use them.

HTH