My aunt recently got a 150 gallon tank. It has 1 bulkhead on the back of the tank at the top of each corner (2 bulkhead total). The tank came with an overflow box that is a HOB, not the one you attach to a bulkhead. And of course, she doesn't want to use it and I'm not comfortable with drill tanks. The question is can I use 1 bulkhead as a return and the other as an overflow? I was thinking of connecting a pvc elbow to the back of the bulkhead straight to the sump. will that work or do I need to use a T pvc with a cap and have a hole drilled into the cap for airflow?
Need help with plumbing sump
- Thread starter turtlelover10
- Start date
I run PVC straight to the sump, I never use overflow boxes.
I use both holes to flow directly to the sump, and run PVC pipe above the rim, and flowing onto the surface.
I want as much surface agitation, for oxygen exchange as possible.
And depending on pump (in the sump )and its size, one output line to the sump may not be sufficient, especially if one line gets accidentally plugged.
Above is one of my bulk heads overflowing to the sump
Above 2 PVC lines to the sump.
Below, the manifold I use to send water from the sump, back to the tank
I use both holes to flow directly to the sump, and run PVC pipe above the rim, and flowing onto the surface.
I want as much surface agitation, for oxygen exchange as possible.
And depending on pump (in the sump )and its size, one output line to the sump may not be sufficient, especially if one line gets accidentally plugged.
Above is one of my bulk heads overflowing to the sump
Above 2 PVC lines to the sump.
Below, the manifold I use to send water from the sump, back to the tank
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Just in case you have fish (or animals like the shrimp above), small enough to get sucked into, or get caught in an open bulkhead ,
I slip these screens into the hole to prevent that.
Because my tanks are heavily planted, with aquatic plants, and hanging terrestrial rooted plants, I find I need to clean the screens out every other day or so to prevent blockages.
I just use an old tooth brush to sweep the detritus into th garden
The gravity pull of water draining to the sump to the sump, holds them in place, so no need to screw them in, but they are easily pulled out by hand, for cleaning.
I slip these screens into the hole to prevent that.
Because my tanks are heavily planted, with aquatic plants, and hanging terrestrial rooted plants, I find I need to clean the screens out every other day or so to prevent blockages.
I just use an old tooth brush to sweep the detritus into th garden
The gravity pull of water draining to the sump to the sump, holds them in place, so no need to screw them in, but they are easily pulled out by hand, for cleaning.
