How to Plumb an Aquarium with my setup ?

[sudman]

Hello! I recently bought a used 120 gallon reef ready tank and a sump that with rough calculations seems to be about 40 gallons.

I have a reef octopus 200 INT protein skimmer that will only fit in the middle part of the sump and I was wondering how do I plumb this entire setup ?

Not looking for something very fancy just simple and safe . I have watched many videos on YouTube but am quite confused as to what my specific plumbing should be , why are there 3 whole on the back of my tank and what should be plumbed where ?

There also seems to be some sort of home made protein skimmer in my sump but I plan to use the reef octopus instead . Please help ! Thank you !!

 

[Dsnakes]

Does it have over flows for the 2 bottom corners? Those would be your drains and the top middle is your return.

 

[theMeat]

The holes on bottom of tank look like they were for a closed loop
The one on top probably for return

 

[sudman]

Does it have over flows for the 2 bottom corners? Those would be your drains and the top middle is your return.

They had the thing with the teeth but the seller forgot to give it to me . Is it possible to get them or make them ?

What would I connect to what ?

 

[Dsnakes]

They had the thing with the teeth but the seller forgot to give it to me . Is it possible to get them or make them ?

What would I connect to what ?

Yeah, you will need an overflow box for the plumbing. That way your water is draining into it from the top.

My tank is drilled and plumbed from the bottom, where as yours is from the back. I’m not sure if and how much that changes the way you would want to plumb it.

 

[sudman]

Yeah, you will need an overflow box for the plumbing. That way your water is draining into it from the top.

My tank is drilled and plumbed from the bottom, where as yours is from the back. I’m not sure if and how much that changes the way you would want to plumb it.

Can I build the overflows ?

 

[Dsnakes]

Can I build the overflows ?

Probably so, either glass or acrylic. I think acrylic would be easier to cut the weirs.

 

[sudman]

Probably so, either glass or acrylic. I think acrylic would be easier to cut the weirs.

Thank you ! And what do I connect to what for the plumbing ? I have the reef octopus skimmer and a return pump . Am I missing anything else ? How do I do the sump to tank plumbing ?

 

[theMeat]

You’re better off buying an overflow box for each corner. Or buy one for one corner and plug the other side. Make sure you order the correct height, or one that will work once you cut it down to fit your height.
Also a good idea to drill another hole in the corner with overflow so you can run herbie style plumbing for a quieter and safer situation.
The drain pipes get connected to tank and run into sump on the opposite end from where return pump is. The return pump gets connected to the top hole on tank.
Lil hard to explain, Google herbie plumbing, or better yet bean animal which will need 3 holes for drain

 

[sudman]

You’re better off buying an overflow box for each corner. Or buy one for one corner and plug the other side. Make sure you order the correct height, or one that will work once you cut it down to fit your height.
Also a good idea to drill another hole in the corner with overflow so you can run herbie style plumbing for a quieter and safer situation.
The drain pipes get connected to tank and run into sump on the opposite end from where return pump is. The return pump gets connected to the top hole on tank.
Lil hard to explain, Google herbie plumbing, or better yet bean animal which will need 3 holes for drain

Thank you . Did you say to google ‘bean animal ‘ ?

 

[theMeat]

Yes, herbie is 2 pipe plumbing design, and bean animal is 3 pipe

 

[sudman]

Thank you !