125G tank overflow

2quills

Well-Known Member
You can do it pretty much however you like. I actually drilled for my return and the way I set it up for a siphon break was I used side flow nozzles which are loc-line fittings. They will be set at the surface of the water to break the siphon as soon as the power to the pump is cut off. I did a similar set up for a friend and it works perfectly. Water is cut off within a fraction of a second and within 3 seconds there is no more water in the return line at all.


 

pondman

New Member
I have a 125 also and i run two overflows(not a drilled tank)In my sump at first i ran one return pump I just added a second this tank is also a split reef tank i installed a plexi panel with holes drilled for water movement on one side i have predator fish on the other I have corals and fish.I have found that the more flow through your tank the better.If you have two 300 overflows you will need at least a 600 pump. hope this helps
 

anti

Member
What about the baffles for the sump.. I think i am going to go with 55 gallon.
what about drilling the return on the sump?
 

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by anti http:///forum/thread/384036/125g-tank-overflow/20#post_3365484
Those are really cool. Why did u use a piece of wood on the one?
One of the reasons was just for support. Hoses want to pull on the plumbing and retain their curve. So clamping it to the board helped with support. The other reason was to raise it up. There are two outputs that are set at the waters height and act as a syphon break when the pump is turned off.
Quote:
Originally Posted by anti
http:///forum/thread/384036/125g-tank-overflow/20#post_3365778
What about the baffles for the sump.. I think i am going to go with 55 gallon.
what about drilling the return on the sump?
Drilling, you would have to make sure that where you are looking to drill is plate glass and not tempered first and foremost. Although for a system this size I don't see why you shouldn't or couldn't go with an in sump pump. Baffles, since it's a glass tank I would stick with glass baffles. Size of chambers and height is up to you but height should be considered if or where you plan on running a skimmer.
Pic of my old sump, it's a 55.
 

anti

Member
Wow that is awesome. You will have to explain whats going on there!
I am going to run a skimmer. Im thinking one rated 200 max?
I was planning on using an in sump pump as well.
I was planning on using acrylic for baffles.. bad idea?
 

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by anti http:///forum/thread/384036/125g-tank-overflow/20#post_3365844
Wow that is awesome. You will have to explain whats going on there! The picture was taken when I was leak testing the baffles and test running it for a couple of days to make sure they held. So what you see was just a temporary set up. Anyway, the main drain water comes in on the left where the egg crate shelfs were designed to hold mechanical filtration if I so chose to use it. Next chamber was for the skimmer, then the return chamber. The chamber on the right was for a refugium.
I am going to run a skimmer. Im thinking one rated 200 max? Sounds about right, what brand?
I was planning on using an in sump pump as well. That works!
I was planning on using acrylic for baffles.. bad idea? Glass is typically recommended on glass sumps since silicone bonds to it as where it will not bond with acrylic/plexi. Plexi can be used but a there are a few things to consider when you use it. First is that you should use a minimum of 1/4" thickness material (3/8" recommended). Second is you have to cut them a little shorter on the width (about a 1/4" total) to allow for expension. Acylic/plexi expands in water and has been known to crack a glass tank from it's expanding. So you need to leave a 1/8" inch gap on each side to allow for this. And third is because the silicone doesn't completely bond to it...you need to rough up the ends really good with sandpaper or something to give a better surface for the silicone to grab onto and hold. It won't bond necissarily but it will grib the baffles better.
 

anti

Member
I want to make sure i get rid of micro bubbles. I hate them in my tank now..
What is the best baffle design for this?
Where can I get cut glass?
 

anti

Member
I am thinking of drilling the short side so you can view from both of the longer sides.. what do you think?
 

anti

Member
I already have a double syphon overflow box.. I am not sure it is worth the extra 80 to drill it?
I have a single overflow now on my 55 and I am happy with it..
 

2quills

Well-Known Member
Yeah if you're happy with an external overflow then just go with that. No big deal really, lots of folks run them without much problem. There's always a miniscule chance of losing siphon with the externals but if you check it everyday then you're probably good to go.
 

2quills

Well-Known Member
Well first things first...I understand this is a rough sketch so I won't get to crazy but the baffles deffinately would have to be fixed and you will need to figure out proper heights for each one. Room underneath the stand and skimmer choice will play a roll in helping determining this for the skimmer section. The idea could totally be doable but are you dead set on using the sump as a place to house frags?
 

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by anti http:///forum/thread/384036/125g-tank-overflow#post_3362924
I am wondering if it would be better to have two 300G max flow overflow boxes with two return pumps, or one larger overfull box and return pump? Also, would 30G be a good sump size? Should I go with 55G? Thanks!
You also could make overflows from pvc and not have to drill. Several threads on diy pvc overflows are here in the equipment forums.
my .02
 

anti

Member
I was going to put a nice t5 light for the fuge area and it seemed like a god idea to frag there also?
 
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