125 Filtration Questions

[akitty6552]

I just picked up a used 125 reef ready AGA aquarium. It came with no plumbing, it has two overflows, one in each back corner. Each overflow has a 1" intake and 3/4" return. This is my first drilled tank.

I really don't want to do a sump due to cost, inexperience and I live in an apartment and the tank is pretty close to everything so I don't want possible flood or sound issues.

I just picked up 4 bulkhead fittings for the drilled holes, should I plumb the canister filters I plan to get to the bulkhead fittings/overflows, or should I just cap/plug the fittings and use the standard plumbing the canister filter comes with?

If I do plumb the canisters to the bulkhead fittings, how would I set it up? Would I just put a strainer right on the bulkhead fitting for the intake and then run a pvc pipe for the return? Would I need to build a durso pipe if im plumbing to a canister filter?

I'm also not sure yet which canister filters im going to be using, depends on what deals I can find on used ones

The tank will be freshwater for piranhas.

 

[tylerperkins]

im doing the same thing and im going to be trying my canister with the bulkheads im just going to plumb the outlets with ball valves to control the flow so my canister dosent suck the overflow dry

 

[hillbilly]

I have 4 different tanks in my house that have built in overflow boxes and sumps, and I have oak floors. 3 of these tanks have been set up for over 5 years. The biggest sump holds 55 gals. If they leaked, my wife would have killed me long ago! If properly set up, they are as safe as any canister filter. Canisters can leak you know. Besides, you can build any type of filtration system you can dream up by using a sump, at less cost also. If you don't know how, just ask. They are hundreds of years of combined experience on this forum.