75 gallon Sump

[Mbuloverxxt]

Hiya guys! I've finally come to the decision of what I am going to do for filtration for my 360 gallon tank. Upon adding my 2 female stingrays along with my ngt datnoid and albino arowana, I figured it would be best to upgrade to a sump here sometime soon instead of just using the 3fx6 canisters.

This will be my first sup set up I have ever done. So I will need some help if anyone can. I know I will have to drain the tank and pull it out to drill. But I'm not familiar with plumbing or correct size pvc to match flow rate etc.

I decided to go with the H2overflows. I like the idea of them and I'll only be drilling the back of the tank. (I'll put pictures) each one it says is rated for 1200gph. I plan on installing 2 of them. OR using the stealth box kit? Not sure which would be better for my tank. But I figured 2400 gph should be good for that size with the tank filtration turnover being 6 times the volume.

I plan to use 2 filter socks, one of course being a main drain and the other being a backup drain? Or with the stealth box as I understand 2 will be main and 2 will be backup? (Pictures)

Basically what I need help with guys is a guide on figuring out the best way to plumb this tank with the h2overflows, correct size pvc, and correct size pump for my tank. I'll take any advice I can get. I really want to do this right and not flood my house. I really appreciate everyone's help!

 

[TheWolfman]

Is your tank glass or acrylic? Your going to be limited to the size of that overflows bulkheads. If it’s 1” then that’s the size pvc your going to have to use for your drains. That overflow looks to use two full syphon drains and a secondary trickle drain. It also has one e drain. If your shooting for 2400 gph then you should be shopping for a return pump rated for twice that for head loss and so your not running it at full duty. A lot of people like to run two return pumps for redundancy. If you run two returns you can get away with a smaller return pump then if you are only running one.

 

[Mbuloverxxt]

Is your tank glass or acrylic? Your going to be limited to the size of that overflows bulkheads. If it’s 1” then that’s the size pvc your going to have to use for your drains. That overflow looks to use two full syphon drains and a secondary trickle drain. It also has one e drain. If your shooting for 2400 gph then you should be shopping for a return pump rated for twice that for head loss and so your not running it at full duty. A lot of people like to run two return pumps for redundancy. If you run two returns you can get away with a smaller return pump then if you are only running one.

Well it says that it needs inch and a half bulkheads. So does that mean inch and a half pvc? And would you recommend I go with the overflow stealth box in the picture? Or just plumbing 2 of them straight down to the filter socks?

 

[TheWolfman]

Well it says that it needs inch and a half bulkheads. So does that mean inch and a half pvc? And would you recommend I go with the overflow stealth box in the picture? Or just plumbing 2 of them straight down to the filter socks?

I would do some research on overflows to make up your own mind. Personally I wouldn’t buy something like that. I would just install a overflow box inside the tank and go with what ever size bulkheads I needed for the turnover I wanted. Your going to want pristine water quality with that stingray. I run 9x turnover for my bass on my 450. I personally don’t like filter socks. I run filter floss and just throw it away. I find it to be much easier, and waters clearer.

 

[Mbuloverxxt]

I would do some research on overflows to make up your own mind. Personally I wouldn’t buy something like that. I would just install a overflow box inside the tank and go with what ever size bulkheads I needed for the turnover I wanted. Your going to want pristine water quality with that stingray. I run 9x turnover for my bass on my 450. I personally don’t like filter socks. I run filter floss and just throw it away. I find it to be much easier, and waters clearer.

I have made up my own mind. That's not the issue. I'm trying to figure out how to do this the best way and not mess up. I dont know this stuff. I know parameters, cans, hob, homemade top planters, etc. I dont know what is the correct size pvc I should be using, things to do to avoid flooding, parts in particular I'll need etc. Lol I understand what you are saying but that is extremely sparse info, I'm trying to learn from the best, and that's you guys on here.

 

[TheWolfman]

I have made up my own mind. That's not the issue. I'm trying to figure out how to do this the best way and not mess up. I dont know this stuff. I know parameters, cans, hob, homemade top planters, etc. I dont know what is the correct size pvc I should be using, things to do to avoid flooding, parts in particular I'll need etc. Lol I understand what you are saying but that is extremely sparse info, I'm trying to learn from the best, and that's you guys on here.

Lol ok, let’s stat from the beginning then. A 1-1/2” bulkhead is for 1-1/2” pvc. That doesn’t mean a 1-1/2” hole. That overflow doesn’t look like it is using 1-1/2” pvc for the drains. It has 4 drains on it, and 4 1-1/2” drains would flow roughly 6000 gph. The manufacturer has to have a spec regarding the pvc size on it. It also requires you to drill multiple holes in your aquarium to achieve the flow rating of the external overflow box. A properly setup sump can never flood your house. As long as your return output is above the water level in your aquarium it can’t back syphon and flood your sump. You still haven’t answered what your aquarium is made out of. That makes a difference weather you can even use that overflow box or not. This is a good link to help size pvc for proper flow rates
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/pipe-sizing-charts-and-flow-rates.205645/

 

[Mbuloverxxt]

Lol ok, let’s stat from the beginning then. A 1-1/2” bulkhead is for 1-1/2” pvc. That doesn’t mean a 1-1/2” hole. That overflow doesn’t look like it is using 1-1/2” pvc for the drains. It has 4 drains on it, and 4 1-1/2” drains would flow roughly 6000 gph. The manufacturer has to have a spec regarding the pvc size on it. It also requires you to drill multiple holes in your aquarium to achieve the flow rating of the external overflow box. A properly setup sump can never flood your house. As long as your return output is above the water level in your aquarium it can’t back syphon and flood your sump. You still haven’t answered what your aquarium is made out of. That makes a difference weather you can even use that overflow box or not.

Sorry its acrylic. And oh okay. I'm just mainly trying to get the optimum amount of flow for my tank to be great filtration for my tank for the fish health. I honestly dont care what way I go, I just want it to work well and me not mess up. Lol

 

[TheWolfman]

Sorry its acrylic. And oh okay. I'm just mainly trying to get the optimum amount of flow for my tank to be great filtration for my tank for the fish health. I honestly dont care what way I go, I just want it to work well and me not mess up. Lol

Silicone doesn’t stick to acrylic so that external overflow wouldn’t work for your aquarium... I would probably just install 2 or 3 2” bulkheads and use the h20 overflows then. I would recommend using schedule 80 gate valves on all the drains.

 

[Mbuloverxxt]

Silicone doesn’t stick to acrylic so that external overflow wouldn’t work for your aquarium... I would probably just install 2 or 3 2” bulkheads and use the h20 overflows then. I would recommend using schedule 80 gate valves on all the drains.

Okay. That sounds like something I can handle. Would all 3 act as main drains then? And what is special about that valve? I just havent heard of it before

 

[TheWolfman]

Okay. That sounds like something I can handle. Would all 3 act as main drains then? And what is special about that valve? I just havent heard of it before

Again I would recommend you do some More research of overflows and plumbing. Your going to be permanently drilling holes in your aquarium so they better be in the right places. A gate valve allows you to adjust in very fine increments to get run dead silent. I would set two as full syphon and run the third as a e drain. The E drain needs to be above the normal water level and doesn’t need any valves. Return plumbing should be ran through the top of the tank and as long as you drill a syphon brake above the water level you won’t have back syphon on power failure.