Drains and returns

[pfcbizz]

Hello SWF I've been gone for awhile but I'm back, and I got questions, I just bought a 180 gallon acrylic aquarium that is already drilled and I wonder if it possible to have the drain without pipes and overflow boxes and if so what the name of this type of method ?

 

[beaslbob]

if you're using a drilled tank you will need to have a drain pipe up to the water level of the tank. Or an overflow weir (partition) with the top at the water level of the tank.

Without those I hesitate what I would call it.

My .02

 

[pfcbizz]

thank you but what about the returns can I have them inside the tank under the water ?

 

[beaslbob]

yes.

(well kinda anyway)

When the returns are over the back type and then exit is below the water line, they will form a siphon under power out. And drain water until the exits are above the water line or a small anti siphon hole is uncovered so air breaks up the siphon

if the returns come up from the bottom of a drilled tank, the tank will drain (power out) until the top of the return is above the water line.

Either way with power out you can have a significant amount of water drained into a much smaller sump.

my .02

 

[pfcbizz]

well i plan to place ball valves on the connections and will that help ?

 

[lmforbis]

they will only help if you are there to shut them off if your pump turns off. If there is a power outage and nobody is home your tank will drain the sump will overflow and you will have a huge mess. This will happen pretty fast. If you can drain 700 gph the way mine does that is 175 gallons in just 15 minutes. The valve is a good idea though. I'd use a gate valve instead for a return. Much better control of the return rate. Ball valves on the drain line though. You want to be able to isolate the tank from the sump if necessary.

 

[beaslbob]

well i plan to place ball valves on the connections and will that help ?

no.
IMHO the system should run with no flooding with absolutely no valves of any kind.

But you can use valves for initial setup, priming the overflow and those types of things. Just not for limiting the water that flows into the sump for instance.

And using a valve to slow down a drain can create a much quieter system. Just don't do it to prevent flooding.

Going full blast you should have no flooding , power out, power return, or drain blockage

my .02

 

[lmforbis]

Agreed

 

[pfcbizz]

thank you