Hello I am in the process of building a plywood tank and I have a few questions about drilling my tank. First is it better to have it drilled on the bottom or on the back, and why? Second if I drill the bottom do I have to build an overflow box or can I just put the stand pipe in the tank, the look does not matter as I intend to make a styro background. Third I will have about 4 inches from the top of the glass to the top of the tank and I want my water line to be in the middle of the two, how do you determine the waterline? I know it has to do with the height but I have a pvc overflow on my 55 and the line is about an inch above the top of the pipes. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated THANKS
building advice needed
- Thread starter outlaw
- Start date
i would put them on the back. My reason is very simple, if power goes out it only drains to the height of the overflow. If there on the bottom, it drains until theres no water left to drain. You usually put the overflows about 2-3 inches from the top to prevent this problem when the power does go out. thats what ive always done anyways
Well I disagree because he mentioned stand pipes. If your doing this then drill from the bottom so you can use just a straight pipe. If you want to drill from the back just use a bulkhead. The water level is determined by the height of the stand pipe or the placement of the bulkhead. The water (as long as you have a big enough diameter overflow) will never reach more than lets say an eight of an inch higher than the top of the stand pipe or maybe half way up the bulkhead opening.
Hope this helps
Also outlaw you may be able to get more information if you post in the setup and filtration section
Hope this helps
Also outlaw you may be able to get more information if you post in the setup and filtration section
sweeTang21;1552623; said:
True but with stand pipes it will not drain at all if drilled from bottom.
Thanks guys i meant to post in the setup forum but I guess I just got carried away. I guess what I am asking is there a difference in performance in the two and do you have to have a overflow box. I am trying to do this the simplest way possible. Thanks again
never had an overflow box, just the stand pipe, but it works great for me. instead of just the straight standpipe, I put 2 elbows and a short straight piece to point back down. It helped eliminate noise and I also could put a piece of sponge over the down piece to help with bio/mech filt.
I use dual 1.5 inch clear PVC overflowes drilled thru the bottom. I dont use an overflow box with them, just the standpipes. I liked the look of the Clear PVC and didnt want to hide it with an overflow box.
simplest is definitely drilling the back though...no stand pipes needed...just a hole at the water level you want plumbed to a 90 that leads to even flex hose down to the sump...easy peasy