Drilling 2- 3/4 Return location? Acrylic tank

[Lex_510]

So having a hard time deciding where or how far from the top on 75g acrylic tank to drill away from edges to avoid cracking? I want it as high as possible, right now it’s marked at 1 1/2 from top to the center on bulkhead , and 5 inches from side. Should I go lower? Any advice would help

 

[fishguy242]

hi,i would recommend go 3" down min,i like 4x4 -4x6"can always point locline

 

[Lex_510]

hi,i would recommend go 3" down min,i like 4x4 -4x6"can always point locline

Thanks I can add another inch & 1/2

 

[Water Dog]

Though my tank is glass, when I drilled my tank, I made my dual returns flush, height wise with the ghost style overflow holes.

 

[Lex_510]

Though my tank is glass, when I drilled my tank, I made my dual returns flush, height wise with the ghost style overflow holes.

Looks good, what did you use for blk paint, I’m thinking of plastic dip for acrylic? But couldn’t find with high gloss finish

 

[Water Dog]

Looks good, what did you use for blk paint, I’m thinking of plastic dip for acrylic? But couldn’t find with high gloss finish

I used a Rustoleum gloss appliance paint from Home Depot. I applied it with a foam brush and roller. When you tape the holes, make sure you account for the gasket for the overflow. The gasket will sit between the tank and the external drain box, so you want to tape it off accounting for the gasket before painting so the gasket mates to a clean unpainted surface.

 

[Lex_510]

Thanks I can add another inch & 1/2

Hey

hi,i would recommend go 3" down min,i like 4x4 -4x6"can always point locline

hey bud, was that 3inch off center of bulkhead?

 

[fishguy242]

Hey

hey bud, was that 3inch off center of bulkhead?

no..3" min acrylic remaining 4-6" center minimum

 

[Lex_510]

no..3" min acrylic remaining 4-6" center minimum

Ok, one question about return siphoning. Reading stuff online some ppl say go over the top so it’ll be closer to the water level to stop the siphoning when power goes out, but would I be able to put the loc line higher from where I drilled to stop the water. I know the lock line still pulls in drops of water from the groves. And plan on doing 2 returns 3/4 already have the equipment, or is it better to do 1- 1inch return

 

[fishguy242]

i would do the two,3/4 returns,and yes,make sure sump is large enough,or use check valves

 

[Water Dog]

See my picture above... the top of the dual RFG (random flow generator) nozzles are articulated upward with the locline. The top of the nozzle is just a hair, about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch, below the bottom of the weir teeth of the low profile internal skim box. When I kill the return pump, as the water reaches below the weir teeth, the siphon is broken as the top of the RFG nozzles draw in air. The normal water level with the tank running is about 2/3 up the weir teeth.

 

[Lex_510]

See my picture above... the top of the dual RFG (random flow generator) nozzles are articulated upward with the locline. The top of the nozzle is just a hair, about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch, below the bottom of the weir teeth of the low profile internal skim box. When I kill the return pump, as the water reaches below the weir teeth, the siphon is broken as the top of the RFG nozzles draw in air. The normal water level with the tank running is about 2/3 up the weir teeth.

Do you know if all you need is 1 lock line to be Above the water level to break the siphon? And how do u like the RFG? Do they restrict flow rate

 

[Water Dog]

I like the RFG, it pushes more flow than the more restrictive locline flare nozzles IMO. Remember, if you use the RFG, it needs to be an inch or so beneath the surface of the water or else it will pull air vortices from the surface.

My tank is small, only 57 gallons so I used 1/2” dual returns. I only used 3 links of locline per return, plus the nozzle and the locline female threaded fitting. How much loclone you’ll need will depend upon how deep you drill your return holes and how high you want your return nozzles to be.

 

[Lex_510]

I like the RFG, it pushes more flow than the more restrictive locline flare nozzles IMO. Remember, if you use the RFG, it needs to be an inch or so beneath the surface of the water or else it will pull air vortices from the surface.

My tank is small, only 57 gallons so I used 1/2” dual returns. I only used 3 links of locline per return, plus the nozzle and the locline female threaded fitting. How much loclone you’ll need will depend upon how deep you drill your return holes and how high you want your return nozzles to be.

Good info, thanks