Tank returns—how many and where?

[Jonathan Troutt]

Hey guys just got done drilling my new 75gal the hole for the eclipse overflow.

Now im trying to decide how many returns and where do i put them? At the top corners like usual? Is there an actual spec for how many inches away from the sides and top or do most just eye ball it?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Hey guys just got done drilling my new 75gal the hole for the eclipse overflow.

Now im trying to decide how many returns and where do i put them? At the top corners like usual? Is there an actual spec for how many inches away from the sides and top or do most just eye ball it?

I like a return to be away from the overflow as far as possible. It keeps from recirculating water that has been filtered from returning back to the sump again.

I have just placed them on the rim, over the top, unless there's a vibration noise from the return pump. In that case, off the rim.

 

[lapin]

Dont drill too close to an edge. If you look up glass drilling, there are guide lines for how far to space holes, depending on glass thickness and hole size and amount of holes.

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

I like a return to be away from the overflow as far as possible. It keeps from recirculating water that has been filtered from returning back to the sump again.

I have just placed them on the rim, unless there's a vibration noise from the return pump. In that case, off the rim.

If im understanding you dont drill you get those u shaped pieces and basically hang on the trim?

If i do that imma have to modify my canopy.

I would agree as far away from overflow as possible. This is how i was thinking.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I'm not a big fan of drilling holes for returns. I may want to move them depending on changing rock work or coral growth. JMTCW.

 

[lapin]

Helpful hint from Heloise:
When your return pump is off water will drain back down the return pipes until it hits air and breaks the siphon

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

Helpful hint from Heloise:
When your return pump is off water will drain back down the return pipes until it hits air and breaks the siphon

Yes im aware of this. I drilled my 40 breeder as well. Except i only did one return on that

 

[ca1ore]

I’m not a big fan of drilling for returns either. If you follow safe drilling distances, you end up with a return that is too far down in the tank and back siphon is a problem. I just use black PVC and go over the rim. One return, two or more is entirely a personal choice. I personally just use a single return with as little back pressure as possible and fire it down behind my main reef structure. I’ve plenty of power heads to create water movement in the tank; I don’t need the return flow for that. Also be aware that things like locline give you water velocity at the expense of volume. I don’t ever use it.

 

[Pellikan]

My return is drilled close to the bottom of the tank. I have plumbed up from there. My overflow goes all the way to the bottom so it hides the plumbing. The point is you can drill far enough away from the edge to assure the glass strength integrity and still have the end(s) of the return close enough to the surface so it won't overwhelm your sump. Flexible ends allow adjustment of flow direction.

From your pic I think your proposed position is good. My personal taste is the U shaped piping over the edge can detract from a clean look. YMMV

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

My return is drilled close to the bottom of the tank. I have plumbed up from there. My overflow goes all the way to the bottom so it hides the plumbing. The point is you can drill far enough away from the edge to assure the glass strength integrity and still have the end(s) of the return close enough to the surface so it won't overwhelm your sump. Flexible ends allow adjustment of flow direction.

From your pic I think your proposed position is good. My personal taste is the U shaped piping over the edge can detract from a clean look. YMMV

This was my thought as well a drilled return just looks cleaner. Even though its gonna be under a canopy it still bugs me

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

Well after doing some research i have decided to drill em. I have 5/16th inch glass panels on this tank so that made me happy.


Basically for my panel size i have to be 52mm away from the corner and 16mm away from the edges of the tank. So long story short they wont be really low!

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

This is where im thinking thoughts?

 

[nereefpat]

In general, it's best for the outside of the new hole to be at least one hole diameter away from the edge.

You don't want that glass to crack.

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

In general, it's best for the outside of the new hole to be at least one hole diameter away from the edge.

You don't want that glass to crack.

I drilled based on this websites information
https://www.viracon.com/page/holes

Worked out great. Holes are drilled and bulkheads are installed. Ive drilled many a hole before.

 

[Antics]

I drilled based on this websites information
https://www.viracon.com/page/holes

Worked out great. Holes are drilled and bulkheads are installed. Ive drilled many a hole before.

Thanks for the charts. Lots of useful information. I'm curious if it matters that our application is specific to aquariums? Free standing glass for a door is under a lot less pressure than an aquarium for instance.

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

Thanks for the charts. Lots of useful information. I'm curious if it matters that our application is specific to aquariums? Free standing glass for a door is under a lot less pressure than an aquarium for instance.

Thats a great question one i didnt think about. Ive seen many a tank drilled very close to the edge.

Ive got a good amount of glass in between the hole and an edge. The trim obviously hides a good chunk and it hard to see in the picture but i didnt want em right up close to the edges it looked weird like that.

 

[nereefpat]

I'm glad it didn't crack on you.

I would be careful with those charts. The hole spacing doesn't factor in the size of the hole you're drilling. And you can actually be closer to the edge on thinner glass? For example, you can drill a 3" hole in 1/8" glass as long as you are 1/4" away from the edge? Yikes