Custom Overflow/ATO Setup Help!

[Huckleberry1201]

Hi all, posted this elsewhere but not sure if in correct threads, so here it is again. I was hoping to find some ideas/help in regards to setting up a proper overflow/return in my tank as well as maybe seeing some ideas for a diy ATO resevoir and set up! There will be a pic uploaded with this but as you'll see in it, my tank was used as a certain loop in a freshwater system, and has 6 bottom drilled holes. Any ideas in regards to getting the best skimming and whether to plug some holes etc would be super helpful. Also, like I said if I could get some input regarding a diy ATO resevoir to maybe cut down on how often I need to prep water would be awesome as well.

 

[dbowman5]

how big is the tank? how much flow are you looking for? where is the sump going to be? how much of the tank volume are you willing to give up to overflow boxes?
on the ATO are you looking for fancy or just functional? how much evap are you expecting? do you have a RODI set up for storage?
you could plug some of the holes and/or use some for return lines. three of them would give you a bean animal. if your return came in the bottom the top would be cleaner with no over the top plumbing.
my ATO's are 5 gal buckets with DIY kits for level sensing and pump control. the volume of the bucket could be doubled by daisy chaining two. or using a drum.

 

[Huckleberry1201]

Tank is approx. 330 gallons. 84x30x30. Sump will be underneath in the stand. As far as the ATO, fancy or functional, doesn't matter! I have the RODI but still need to invest in some storage tanks and evap I'll try to cut down on as much as possible but at most I would say 1 gallon a day. Don't have any experience with a bottom drilled tank, mine have always been from the side/back. So my thought was to use some of the holes as the returns, and if so would that cut down on hoe many powerheads needed if I had a pump powerful enough to provide sufficient flow and turn over rate through however many returns?

 

[dbowman5]

Tank is approx. 330 gallons. 84x30x30. Sump will be underneath in the stand. As far as the ATO, fancy or functional, doesn't matter! I have the RODI but still need to invest in some storage tanks and evap I'll try to cut down on as much as possible but at most I would say 1 gallon a day. Don't have any experience with a bottom drilled tank, mine have always been from the side/back. So my thought was to use some of the holes as the returns, and if so would that cut down on hoe many powerheads needed if I had a pump powerful enough to provide sufficient flow and turn over rate through however many returns?

yeah it definitely would allow some flexibility. depending on the look you were looking for you could put a stand pipe on each one with a box at the top for the drains. put a single baffle across the entire back, or put boxes around the drains. that is what i was getting at as to how much volume you were willing to devote to skimming/hiding the drains,

 

[Huckleberry1201]

yeah it definitely would allow some flexibility. depending on the look you were looking for you could put a stand pipe on each one with a box at the top for the drains. put a single baffle across the entire back, or put boxes around the drains. that is what i was getting at as to how much volume you were willing to devote to skimming/hiding the drains,

Well given the distance from the back glass to where the holes are drilled I was wanting to stay away from building or putting boxes around them individually or across the entire bottom as that would take up 7 or inches. I am less concerned about the top so one built the entire length or just a few boxes for each, wasn't sure on which. Also on the returns, say I make use of all 6 whether it be 3 and 3 or 4 and 2 as far as drains/returns, would standpipes coming up(even at different lengths for flow as different levels?) With return nozzles to direct the flow suffice

 

[dbowman5]

Well given the distance from the back glass to where the holes are drilled I was wanting to stay away from building or putting boxes around them individually or across the entire bottom as that would take up 7 or inches. I am less concerned about the top so one built the entire length or just a few boxes for each, wasn't sure on which. Also on the returns, say I make use of all 6 whether it be 3 and 3 or 4 and 2 as far as drains/returns, would standpipes coming up(even at different lengths for flow as different levels?) With return nozzles to direct the flow suffice

a thought would be to use individual standpipes that extend to the surface with adapters to larger diameter outer skimmer with an inner standpipe dry-fitted to give the height you want inside. on the returns you can just use one size and elbow back down to the opening. My only concern would be stability of the standpipes under flow conditions. could they be pushed by powerheads and break or stress the bulkhead fittings? i suppose you could attach some bracing to the top of them. let me know if something works out for you!

 

[Huckleberry1201]

a thought would be to use individual standpipes that extend to the surface with adapters to larger diameter outer skimmer with an inner standpipe dry-fitted to give the height you want inside. on the returns you can just use one size and elbow back down to the opening. My only concern would be stability of the standpipes under flow conditions. could they be pushed by powerheads and break or stress the bulkhead fittings? i suppose you could attach some bracing to the top of them. let me know if something works out for you!

Would you by chance happen to have an example I could lay my eyes on as far as the outer skimmer style? Not sure if this is the same as what you were talking about, but what about running the standpipes up to an actual overflow box up top?

 

[Huckleberry1201]

That would also help alleviate any concerns regarding sturdiness. They would be mounted at the bottom of tank and mounted at top also with bulkheads to an overflox box that is securely attached to the tank itself.