Flow Specialists Input Needed

[nzafi]

So I have ordered by 8x4x30in acrylic tank and now need to provide into to the maufacturer as far as what I need done. I have decided on the following;
1) Filtration will be a HMF and ultima combination
2) Intakes will be 2in to optimize flow into the pump (reefl dart has 2in intakes)
3) Returns will be either 1in or 3/4 based on the diagrams below. However the plan is to use as much of 1.5in piping I can to minimize pressure and the fact that the ultima output is 1.5in.

Below I have two diagrams. I need to figure out which one I want to go with. I am trying to achieve two things:
1) Hide as much plumbing as I can
2) Optimize flow so I never need to clean the bottom.

Please me know what you think is the better lay out.

Option 1: Returns come over the back of the tank and through the top. You will see the plumbing but it will be clean and I can attach eductors to increase in tank flow by a 4x. I personally think the returns are optimized here and put water to the end of the tank, down the wall and back to the intakes creating nice gyre/swirling action.



Option 2 - I hide the return line behind the HMF filter along with auto drip drain. Cleaner look but I will need to bring the returns over the HMF sponge and most likely will not be able to use educators minimizing me intank flow to about 3,500gph (utlima - 2,000, hmf - 1,500). I am worried that the placement of these returns will result in more erratic flow and may not be as good as directly everything to the intakes.

 

[nzafi]

No one has any input? Do I need to start using the @ functionality?

 

[nzafi]

JK47 going to pester you for your input on my flow approach.

Seeing how you did your towers in your current build is making wonder whether I should stick with HMF or do the K1. I probably have a month before my design needs to be finalized. I think my biggest concern is the amount of space. Your overflow towers take up about 225sq in. My HMF corner filters will take up about 100 sq in. Ultimately I would lose about 5% of my square footage versus 2%. I am curious to see how much K1 you get into your towers because maybe I can reduce.

If I was to go K1 that means I will literally have no maintenance except backflushing.

 

[JK47]

JK47 going to pester you for your input on my flow approach.

Seeing how you did your towers in your current build is making wonder whether I should stick with HMF or do the K1. I probably have a month before my design needs to be finalized. I think my biggest concern is the amount of space. Your overflow towers take up about 225sq in. My HMF corner filters will take up about 100 sq in. Ultimately I would lose about 5% of my square footage versus 2%. I am curious to see how much K1 you get into your towers because maybe I can reduce.

If I was to go K1 that means I will literally have no maintenance except backflushing.

My best advice would be try not to over think it or you'll end up like me taking a long time to finish things that should be simple. When buying a new tank it's easier to get overwhelmed by options. Zeroes are zeroes on a test kit any way you dice it up though.

I like option 2 but would use a smaller hole for both the drip overflow as well as returns. Whatever you can do to keep the size of the overflow tower down is most important IMO. I have a 500 that has 2" drains and a 1" return tapered down to a split 3/4" loc line setup, per tower. I like that setup too. I don't think there would be much regret for either approach. You can go through the back wall for returns as well.

 

[nzafi]

JK47 you are right about over complicating. I am trying to make this future proof for other filtering options, which probably is not a good idea.

The drip overflow I can drop down to 1/2in easily as that diameter can support up to 420gph via gravity. What size do you think I should do for returns? I have to run 1.5in from the ultima so I was thinking of running that as far as I can and then sizing down to 1in or 3/4in.

Why do you like Option 2? My decision of K1 vs HMF is probably going to be dependent on how much K1 you can stuff into your towers. That will give me perspective on whether I can downsize them for my tank or not.

 

[JK47]

JK47 you are right about over complicating. I am trying to make this future proof for other filtering options, which probably is not a good idea.

The drip overflow I can drop down to 1/2in easily as that diameter can support up to 420gph via gravity. What size do you think I should do for returns? I have to run 1.5in from the ultima so I was thinking of running that as far as I can and then sizing down to 1in or 3/4in.

Why do you like Option 2? My decision of K1 vs HMF is probably going to be dependent on how much K1 you can stuff into your towers. That will give me perspective on whether I can downsize them for my tank or not.

I like option two because bringing returns through the OF tower is a clean way to keep the lines out of the way. I'm doing the same. 1.5" tee to two 1" reducer bushings, to 1"x3/4" elbows, to 3/4" returns.

 

[nzafi]

I like option two because bringing returns through the OF tower is a clean way to keep the lines out of the way. I'm doing the same. 1.5" tee to two 1" reducer bushings, to 1"x3/4" elbows, to 3/4" returns.

Please take pics if you can, I’m curious where you do the reducing and how you set it up.

 

[nzafi]

JK47 still torn a bit about whether I paint the tank or do the black acrylic. Painting the back is easy especially because it will be against the wall. My problem is that they way the HMF is, there will be 8in on the side of the tank that needs to be covered. I feel like the paint over there will not clean or just out of place.

Is the risk really that big with applying the black acrylic? With this manufacturer it will actually be required if I get overflow boxes. I will not be doing it on the bottom as I want a light color instead of black.

 

[JK47]

JK47 still torn a bit about whether I paint the tank or do the black acrylic. Painting the back is easy especially because it will be against the wall. My problem is that they way the HMF is, there will be 8in on the side of the tank that needs to be covered. I feel like the paint over there will not clean or just out of place.

Is the risk really that big with applying the black acrylic? With this manufacturer it will actually be required if I get overflow boxes. I will not be doing it on the bottom as I want a light color instead of black.

If the manufacturer seals the black then by all means have them do it. The finish will turn out much nicer. If they just lay down some cement and call it a day, paint it yourself. You want the ability to drill it in the future and have the vessel not leak. Ask them their process, each manufacturer is different and the best advice will come directly from them.

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

Honestly, if you’re ordering a tank, I would ditch the HMF filter option and just go with two Ultimas, or an Ultima and a smaller sump, or one large sump.

If using an ultima and smaller sump, I would think that a 75 would be fine, but a 90 or 120 would be best. Then, run overflows down into a few filter socks, use some 2-4” thick foam as a baffle and run the rest of the sump as K1. After the K1 chamber, just put another foam baffle in and have your return pumps there.

If you decide to go with one large sump, then I would look for a used 150, 180 or 220 to use as the sump. You could probably get by with a 125 at a bare minimum, but I think that would be stretching it. Then, run it the same as above, but with more filter socks and larger, multiple pumps.

With the sump, you will need your drip overflow located in the sump instead of the main tank.

I mention the foam as the baffles because I saw it done by a guy on here and it looked fantastic. If I had seen it before I had my sump finished then that’s what I would have done. It will be what I do on my next sump. It also adds a lot of bio surface area to the sump.