Best way to set up DIY filtration

[ryno1974]

I have a 100 gallon that I picked up cheap that I am planning on using for my RBP. It will probably be a planted tank, but I am not positive yet. It is already drilled on one end panel (not my preference for location of the hole, but it was a good deal). I am planning on setting up my first sump, and was going to build a DIY over the edge overflow with a piped in return.

I dont know what to do with the hole - should I use it as the drain, use it as the return, or plug it up and ignore it altogether? I am not too excited about doing any further drilling, so that is out.

What do you guys think?

 

[beex215]

personally that bulkhead/hole is too small to be the primary way of filtering the water. id still use it to run a sump though

 

[the-obstacle]

it's not a bad height for an overflow to the sump. It might not be big enough but there's only one way to find out. I'd just rotate the external elbow so it was pointing down or at least use it to set your max water height by angling it up or down (but down from where it is at the moment) and using it to feed the sump. Shouldn't be too hard to calculate how much flow you can get through it.

Best case - it does exactly what you need. Worst case you need another overflow which you're already talking about.

Also - if you don't like the height internally you run an elbow and a length of pipe to another point lower in the tank to get the desired input position. Just a thought.

oh, and first post!

 

[walleye1]

I would cap it off for a cleaner look and either do canisters in the back or tap a couple more holes for sump. Nice tank though. Looks big for 100 .. What are the dimensions?

 

[Bee0912]

It looks like a 1" bulkhead and that should be able to hande your sump IMP. ( I have 2 1" guys running my sump and they keep up with my mag 18)

 

[surfpalmsncycads]

i have a tank exactly like that. i used that as the intake to a canister and back into the tank through a normal spray bar. only bio! then have 2 ac 110s on the back. id personaly change the bulkhead to a flushmount. can still use a screen so fish cant swim in. pm me i have a bulkhead you can have that looks better than that. if you pay for shipping. ill take pics if you want. good luck!

 

[Clay]

Well, technically, that bulkhead is in backwards. Also, I was never a fan of using a bulkhead like that as a drain because it tends to allow air through in a sucking fashion. It does work great as a return from a sump though.

 

[surfpalmsncycads]

i hear you on the suction of air. i have to stay on top of keeping my water levels up. other than that it works fine. i have a powerhead behind some rocks shooting up towards the bulkead too. i ran it with no gravel for a while to see where all the waste was gathering. its all good now

 

[ryno1974]

I would cap it off for a cleaner look and either do canisters in the back or tap a couple more holes for sump. Nice tank though. Looks big for 100 .. What are the dimensions?

Sorry, missed your question. It is 72 x 18 x 18. It is on a nice high stand (didnt measure t, but it is at least 3.5' - 4' tall) so t puts it right in your eye line when you walk into a room. I am looking forward to getting it cleaned up and up and running.

 

[Bee0912]

Well, technically, that bulkhead is in backwards. Also, I was never a fan of using a bulkhead like that as a drain because it tends to allow air through in a sucking fashion. It does work great as a return from a sump though.

Only noise is my pump running.