Extremely New....Sump size

[Phalanx]

Hey everyone this is my first ever post, and also my first ever saltwater Aquarium. My name is Jason and i am 19 and i live in australia.

I am designing a 680 litre tank or 150 gallon to most of you guys. looking at running a sump. i have a couple of questions about the process.

With my tank, it is 1500mm long, 770mm wide and 600mm deep.

Now i need to know some dimensions about the hole i need to be drilled in the bottom of the tank and what size sump would be be ideal for my tank.

The other question is. If the inlet pipe(running from the tank to the sump) is gravity fed, as i assume it is, then do i just put some mesh over the hole so that nothing falls into the hole (sand or fish) or is there some other way?

Thanks

[Tangster]

Well first off you have to be sure the tanks bottom is not tempered glass Most in the states are , Thats why we mostly drill on the vertical walls of the tank and never risk the bottom. And on that size tank 2 1inch bulkhead will be needed to get the water from the tank to the sump I like to drill mine on the lower parts . Like I go 3 inchs in and 3 inches up on the ends of the tank from the corner . I'll drill the holes then I always add a internal overflow type 2 L sided box to be silicone into place the bulk head and drain pipe will hide behind. Also look for and watch the 180 thread today there several guys drilling and installing the exact same thing I'm trying to describe with words That I am far from a master of (: Look to Otty's 265 build and Kogle's 180 thread also.. they are doing his now and you could follow their steps.

[baugherb]

Welcome to 3Reef>>>>>

[Godbert]

welcome to 3reef!

[omard]

Glad to see you found way here.

Others from land down under here also.

Listen and stick with Tangster...he is forum wizard on this kind of stuff....


Good Luck!

[missionsix66]

Welcome to 3REEF!

[Phalanx]

ok sweet. is toughened glass the same as tempered. caus thats what im making the tank out of.how do i stop fish from going down the hole and still have good water flow?

[wareagle35031]

hello, welcome and heres some karma for ya!!

[Tangster]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

ok sweet. is toughened glass the same as tempered. caus thats what im making the tank out of.how do i stop fish from going down the hole and still have good water flow?

Not sure about what toughened glass is ?? Maybe its regional slang for tempered ? If it is then its not drill-able in any way shape or form.. PERIOD! LOL Driller beware..

What you have to do is drill the holes either low on the what will be back panel so you can add risers..

Look first off you have to use some sort of internal overflow box.. I like mine in the opposing corners I make them in a L fashion about 5 x 7 inches I then silicon them to the inside glass of the tanks corners up the two vertical sides and along the L shaped base on the tanks bottom. All the water has to be ran through the weirs in these overflow box's that way you are always skimming off the very top two inches of the water ..
Then the water entering back into tank from the sump keeps the water rushing through these overflow to the drain pipe to the sump that is behind them.. The bulkhead was drilled low But you add a riser tube up to just a inch or so below the weirs where the tanks water runs through this keeps the splashing down so its not to noticeable. If this is not done then you don't get a condition that my Grandfather used to term as sounds like a Cow peeing in a tin bucket (:

With the stand pipes for the drains to the sump then the grates /weirs in the overflow column keeps the fish on the tank side of the drain system and you get maximum flow and total surface skimming so the tanks water surface stays sparkling clear all the time.. Unlike the tanks when people just drill a couple of holes along the tanks rim to use for drainage to the sump there are always dead spots on the surface.. Like I mentioned in the earlier post look up and follow Kogels 180 string they will be doing this very thing tomorrow I think ? He has the bit and the overflows LOL just gatheruing up the nerve to put the bit in the drill and plug the drill in (: They are going to do what we are discussing here to the tee.

[Bogie]

If you're going to drill holes in the bottom for the overflow, then you should pick up some overflow chambers (basically plastic walls that separate your tank from the overflow area with small flow holes up at the water level) and silicone them up around the holes.