Return idea

[hillbilly]

I've had a spare 180gal. sitting in the garage forever, and I'm getting the urge to set it up. Been kicking some ideas around about the filtration. Drip and wet-dry will go in for sure, but I was thinking, why not pipe the returns from the external pump to the tank floor, loop it, and create under gravel jets as returns? Seems to me the upward current would be more efficient. This would also eliminate the need for a second pump for the jets. Valves could be used for control. What do you think?

 

[big train]

i think cutting the bottom of a tank is going to take away the strength from it might make real mess but iam no expert on sumps or aquarium butchering so lets see what others say

 

[messiner]

i think cutting the bottom of a tank is going to take away the strength from it might make real mess but iam no expert on sumps or aquarium butchering so lets see what others say

but i know what you mean bro. as lond as you dont have slower bottom dwellers that id saygo for it. would work killer with cichlids.

 

[gomezladdams]

Sounds like a great idea just make sure there is a way to prevent backflow if the power goes out

 

[messiner]

use a check valve

 

[hillbilly]

use a check valve

Yeah, for sure.

 

[DeLgAdO]

use a check valve

you mean ball valve right?

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

undergravel jets as only inlet may create uncomfortable currents for some fish. It also rules out a planted tank. I wouldn't do it.

HarleyK

 

[hillbilly]

you mean ball valve right?

A check valve would prevent the sump from overflowing from the siphon effect when power is cut to the pump, since the returns (jets) would be at the bottom of the tank.

 

[hillbilly]

Howdy,

undergravel jets as only inlet may create uncomfortable currents for some fish. It also rules out a planted tank. I wouldn't do it.

HarleyK

Well, if it is a problem with too much current, at least it would be easy to cut out. This is a tank that I'm not using anyway. I can just label it "experimental" like they do with aircraft.