new 240gl, drilled tank + canister setup (need help)

[turtleguy10]

i traded my 155 bowed for a 240gl last weekend. I finally got my 5x 1" double screwed bulkheads (and screw in plugs) in today. i need my tank running yesterday lol. Trying to figure out my best way to go within 2 options. I kept my filtration from the previous setup, 2 sunsun 500gph 5 stage external canister filters. this is what i am thinking of setting up just using t's and using the drilled holes. would like others inputs. my other alternative is to use the canisters up and over the top but this thing is big and tall. 8' long over 6' high.


(i should include i do not want to use a sump)

the top of the intake will have some type of screening over it so fish cant get sucked into it.

pic of the tank in my room from over the weekend, my gf near it.

 

[turtleguy10]

water level will be 1/3 as shown in the pic but not described. no one?

 

[jcardona1]

I would make 2 changes:

1. Plumb each filter separately. Plumbing them together may cause some complications down the road. What if one filter leaks? What if one motor burns out? Etc etc
2. Make the intake the same as the return, U-shaped, so it behaves like it would in a normal setup. Canister filters are gravity-fed.

 

[turtleguy10]

I would make 2 changes:

1. Plumb each filter separately. Plumbing them together may cause some complications down the road. What if one filter leaks? What if one motor burns out? Etc etc
2. Make the intake the same as the return, U-shaped, so it behaves like it would in a normal setup. Canister filters are gravity-fed.

i'm trying to use the 2 holes in the tank. (i have 3 more in the built in overflow (but the tank would need to be full) so i cant/dont want to mess with it, incase i sell it down the road)

so plumb it down to the floor of the cabinet (valve right below the tank though, so i can mess with the plumbing and have a valve when i want.), run a t, then 2 coming back up (makeing a double "u", one per filter for the intakes/inlets? i assume that may help a little? should i downsize the piping to like .5" ?

 

[jcardona1]

How about cutting out the overflow box? It would be easy to silicone back in place if you decide to sell the tank later. That way you could take advantage of all the holes. Is it an acrylic box, or is it made out of plastic?

 

[turtleguy10]

How about cutting out the overflow box? It would be easy to silicone back in place if you decide to sell the tank later. That way you could take advantage of all the holes. Is it an acrylic box, or is it made out of plastic?

its plastic, i dont want to play it at all.

i think i have my solution, to put a valve under the tank per hole, (one inlet) (one return), plumb it to the back of my tank and up higher than the water level (so then i believe it wont have any pressure) and run my canister filter hoses into these tubes so it sucks it out. well it will be all sealed.

i may have to rethink the return?

 

[turtleguy10]

here are some new pics of my new idea, constructive comments welcomed.
sorry pic sucks i know, but you get the idea. tried to put everything in these pics.

 

[turtleguy10]

ok, after going to home depot twice, redesigning a little and not being able to find 1" pvc wye's this is what i have so far. then i was able to find them online. but i think this will work.

not the prettiest, not completed, just starting, mocking up stage, nothings tight or glued yet, again this is for 2 filters,

i went with ball valves temporary (I have been 2 weeks and counting my aquarium hasn't been setup since i traded the 155)



i tried to use as many 45's instead of 90's to maximize flow.

tomorrow i hope to complete the mocking stage and the turtle ramp/dock





(in this pic, below)
the end cap pvc pieces inside the tank will be cut to act as a strainer, I got the idea from this guy,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ajy7mDPGR2M





(in this pic, below)
the left would be the return, the right would be the intake. (bulkheads are loose, reason its leaning)

(in this pic, below)
the left is the return to the tank, and the right is the intake to the filters

(top ball valves are to help fill the tubes so there wont be any air gap issues)

these will be outside of the tank on the back against the wall and the left parts going into the tank underneath to the 2 drilled holes the rights going to the filters (2 intake 2 returns).

(in this pic, below)
one of the drilled fitting connections

(in this pic, below)
this one has a ball valve also but its a picture from the back so it doesn't show.

 

[turtleguy10]

little update. still not done but close now. redid the setup with the suggested hose, added unions for easy canister removal, added more valves and made some diy strainers, put it all together, got all my lights setup, temperary turtle dock (same one i had before will make longer one when i get more $) all i have to do is,

1. pvc glue some fittings
2. teflon tape some other fittings
3. move my dual air stone bubbler with two 12" bubbler stones.
4. add water to my filters
5. add water through the top valves (to bleed the system)
6. add water to tank
7. make sure everything is good
8. add sand
9. add lava rocks
10. plug in everything. (maybe have the press the prime buttons on my canisters, maybe wont don't know)
11. enjoy tank
need to buy a background. I am thinking blue, since i have only been using black, but it will be a blue/black flip one.

some pics..