Please, help with drain plumbing.

cloggins · Nov 20, 2018

I've ordered a pre-drilled 215 gallon tank. The tank comes with 4 holes: 2 1-inch, and 2 3/4-inch. A custom drill would be cost prohibitive. I need help deciding how I should plumb the drains.\

I could do a Herbie overflow using the 1-inch drains, and pumping the returns through the 3/4-inch holes.
I could do a BeanAnimal style using all four holes, maybe with 2 emergencies, and the returns coming over the back.
Some other method?

I haven't bought a return pump yet, so I have the option of running two... Any input is appreciated.

mfinn · Nov 20, 2018

With 4 holes ( I'm assuming 2 overflow boxes with 1 - 1" and 1 - 3/4" in each), I would go with dual herbies and plumb a single return over the top.

cloggins · Nov 20, 2018

Oh, excellent idea. Would you use the 3/4" for the siphon, and the 1" for the emergency?

mfinn · Nov 20, 2018

cloggins said:
Oh, excellent idea. Would you use the 3/4" for the siphon, and the 1" for the emergency?

I would use 1" for the drain and 3/4" for the emergency.
I always go as big as possible with the drains

cloggins · Nov 20, 2018

Charts I've seen located elsewhere in this forum indicate that would be about 1900 gallons per hour (960 per side). Is that accurate? I'm trying to figure out what size Varios pump (or pumps) I should use to match that.

mfinn · Nov 20, 2018

Go for a pump that will give 5 x to 6x the tank volume through the sump after headloss.
The total drain volume has nothing to do with the pump needs.

trido · Nov 20, 2018

mfinn said:
With 4 holes ( I'm assuming 2 overflow boxes with 1 - 1" and 1 - 3/4" in each), I would go with dual herbies and plumb a single return over the top.

Exactly what I did with my old 210. And yes, a siphon overflow (herbie or Bean animal) can handle more than the 600GPH a 1 inch bulkhead can handle. My apex flow monitor claims I have 600GPH of return on my 210 currently with an external pump rated for 1200GPH. Keep in mind, your sump only needs to skim and reheat your water for the display tank. Hw many GPH do you really need?

azbigjohn · Nov 20, 2018

As an aside, you could also drill your own hole for the return rather than going over the top. With a 210, the glass is thick enough that it is not as easy to crack the glass as say a 40 breeder.

Yes, I know it is nerve racking, but it is what ultimately chose to do, although I was scared to death doing it... You can read the details in my build thread below.

cloggins · Nov 21, 2018

Yeah, I'm fairly handy, but no way will I risk that. It's over the top for me. Lol.

Mikeneedsahobby · Nov 21, 2018

cloggins said:
Yeah, I'm fairly handy, but no way will I risk that. It's over the top for me. Lol.

Buy a small piece of glass and try drilling it with a diamond bit. Use a hose to run water on it. Drill a hole through plywood to use as a guide. It is really easy. Basically just grinding a hole. Much easier than a lot of things in this hobby.

You can do this!

cloggins · Nov 21, 2018

I can just imagine the look on my wife's face as I approach a tank (that is going to cost 7-8k) with a drill in hand. Lol...

One related question (I may post to a new thread), one or two return pumps?

mfinn · Nov 22, 2018

cloggins said:
One related question (I may post to a new thread), one or two return pumps?

Get one reliable pump and you will be fine.

cloggins · Nov 22, 2018

Thanks. I appreciate the input.

theMeat · Nov 22, 2018

Are holes drilled into bottom for reef ready overflow?
Another words 2 corner overflows

You can drill it, it’s easy. Make sure the pane isn’t tempered, and get a ghost style overflow which will come with template. One single overflow, with 3 pipes for drain, is plenty for a 210

cloggins · Nov 22, 2018

Yes, it's a pre-drilled tank. In retrospect, I should have ponied up for custom drilling.

theMeat · Nov 22, 2018

So 2 corner overflows drill through bottom?

cloggins · Nov 22, 2018

theMeat said:
So 2 corner overflows drill through bottom?

Yes.

theMeat · Nov 22, 2018

Think you should put the main full siphon in bigger hole, and secondary drain on same side/overflow in smaller.
On other side/overflow put emergency in big hole, and return from pump in small.

You could put full siphon on one side and secondary on other, but makes balancing more problematic, and plumbing too

For plumbing down to sump you could join secondary and emergency, but should leave full siphon on it’s own all the way to sump

Potatohead · Nov 22, 2018

If it were me I would definitely do as above, one drain, one return, two emergencies. 1 inch drain in full siphon will do like 1000 gph which is plenty for a 210. Get a good return pump rated for about 1000 gph, lose your headloss and you will have a 3-4x turnover, perfect.

theMeat · Nov 22, 2018

Potatohead said:
If it were me I would definitely do as above, one drain, one return, two emergencies. 1 inch drain in full siphon will do like 1000 gph which is plenty for a 210. Get a good return pump rated for about 1000 gph, lose your headloss and you will have a 3-4x turnover, perfect.

Definitely
Between full siphon and secondary you could do like 1500 gph and still be dead silent. More if you don’t mind a lil noise