Newbie needs plumbing help

[Skydiver314]

So I made an impulse purchase and bought a tank off Craigslist. It's dimensions are 48x24x24. I measured the inside of the tank up to the overflow an calculate it will hold approximately 106 gallons. I have a 40 gallon breeder I plan to make into a sump. My question is it has 4 holes drilled in the bottom of the overflow box. The two middle ones measure 1 3/4" and the two outer holes measure 1 1/2" in diameter.

My total newbie questions are shouldn't they ideally be all the same size? I am confused on how to plumb it. I was looking into the Bean Animal method, Herbie, etc. and the two different sizes are kinda throwing me for a loop. Also the overflow box is glass. Won't this show the plumbing? Do I have any options to hide it? Maybe a black acrylic insert? I will try to attach photos. How would some of you experienced guys plumb this tank? My goals are to have a totally silent system. I am planning to have the sump in the basement and the main display tank on the first floor. Was thinking of a pump with good head room like the Pan World.

 

[Fishfinder]

Use the 2 bigger holes as overflow drains, and the 2 smaller holes for returns. Also I made my overflow out of black acrylic. You could put acrylic insert in it or paint it

 

[theblackpearl]

I would plumb it as a bean animal. The small hole on the right could be your emergency overflow and the small hole on the left can be your return. This should be a perfectly quiet system

Left hole - Emergency overflow
Left middle - Full syphon
Right middle - partial syphon
Right hole - return

 

[Skydiver314]

Use the 2 bigger holes as overflow drains, and the 2 smaller holes for returns. Also I made my overflow out of black acrylic. You could put acrylic insert in it or paint it

I could paint it? What paint should I use? I assumed since it would be wet in the box I couldn't really have paint, but I am just starting in saltwater endeavors so I am clueless. I do have a long history of freshwater, but never ran an overflow/sump.

 

[Skydiver314]

I would plumb it as a bean animal. The small hole on the right could be your emergency overflow and the small hole on the left can be your return. This should be a perfectly quiet system

Left hole - Emergency overflow
Left middle - Full syphon
Right middle - partial syphon
Right hole - return

Thank you! I wanted to do the Bean Animal, but I was unsure if having a smaller emergency overflow would be a problem.

 

[jimmyzhou]

So I made an impulse purchase and bought a tank off Craigslist. It's dimensions are 48x24x24. I measured the inside of the tank up to the overflow an calculate it will hold approximately 106 gallons. I have a 40 gallon breeder I plan to make into a sump. My question is it has 4 holes drilled in the bottom of the overflow box. The two middle ones measure 1 3/4" and the two outer holes measure 1 1/2" in diameter.

My total newbie questions are shouldn't they ideally be all the same size? I am confused on how to plumb it. I was looking into the Bean Animal method, Herbie, etc. and the two different sizes are kinda throwing me for a loop. Also the overflow box is glass. Won't this show the plumbing? Do I have any options to hide it? Maybe a black acrylic insert? I will try to attach photos. How would some of you experienced guys plumb this tank? My goals are to have a totally silent system. I am planning to have the sump in the basement and the main display tank on the first floor. Was thinking of a pump with good head room like the Pan World.

Make sure the return pump u are useing before selection the pipe size

 

[Skydiver314]

Make sure the return pump u are useing before selection the pipe size

I need one that handles good head pressure as it will be returning from a basement sump. All of those seem to be 1 inch. If I went with the smaller hole (3/4) as a return then I am guessing I would need a pump with 3/4. Any suggestion on one that handles that kind of head pressure well?

 

[glb]

Bigger pipes for overflow. Smaller ones for return pump. Good luck!

 

[Skydiver314]

Bigger pipes for overflow. Smaller ones for return pump. Good luck!

So then I can't do the Bean Animal method?

I am so confused