Used Tank Advise, Large Overflow Box? How to Plumb?

Deonne · Jul 5, 2018

I'm looking at buying this 120 gallon used tank. I'm new to salt-water tanks but it seems to me that the overflow box is quite large? Is 4 drilled holes overkill? How would one plumb this tank to a sump?

Pictures attached

Thanks!

Crabs McJones · Jul 5, 2018

Deonne said:
I'm looking at buying this 120 gallon used tank. I'm new to salt-water tanks but it seems to me that the overflow box is quite large? Is 4 drilled holes overkill? How would one plumb this tank to a sump?

Pictures attached

Thanks!

Welcome to R2R

#WelcometoR2R
My guess is that the 4 holes are for the Bean Animal Overflow setup. The three 3/4 inch holes are your primary, secondary, and emergency drain, and then 1" is your return. Otherwise a 1" drain with a 3/4 emergency with dual 3/4 returns.

Fin · Jul 5, 2018

First off -

That appears to have been a peninsula type set-up, in which case, the overflow looks fine. Are you planning on setting it up that way? That one end would be close to the wall and both of the long panels would be viewing panes, along with the one short side opposite the overflow. These are great tanks for viewing and really wish I had the room to have one myself.

My guess on the way it was plumbed before is that the two outside holes were returns (see the hole in the overflow in the edited pic below). I can't see the opposite side, so just a guess on my part. The larger hole may have been the main drain and the other small hole was maybe an auxiliary / emergency overflow. Just my guess though.

dbl · Jul 5, 2018

Welcome to R2R. That is definitely set up for a peninsula display. If you can use it in that manner, go for it. But then I'm a sucker for a peninsula.

My guess is it was set up as a Herbie. The two middle were the drains, with the 1" likely the main drain and the second 3/4" as the backup (or it could have been the other way around). The outer two holes were likely the returns. The hole in the side of the overflow box at the top (circled in red by @Fin) is were where the return lines came through and in to the tank. Although we can't see it, I'm betting there's another one on the opposite side?

That's my guess anyway for what it's worth.

hdsoftail1065 · Jul 5, 2018

Welcome to R2R! Nice looking tank, I see a diamond in the rough!

Fin · Jul 5, 2018

If you want to see an excellent example of a peninsula tank, take a look at @Mikec soft coral tank:

His build thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/mikecs-softy-tank.209718/

He has a number of videos on the thread, but the one on the next to last page is the way the tank looks currently. Post #478 .

Deonne · Jul 5, 2018

Thanks everyone that is all hugely helpful. Very glad I found this forum.

You're right, this tank would be a great peninsula, although I'm not sure I have the space ... so I'll have to think about it.

Fin that tank you linked is incredible, something to aspire to.

Fin · Jul 5, 2018

You're welcome. Lots of friendly, helpful people here. Whatever tank you decide on, be sure to start a build thread and share your progress in the Member Tank forum.

dbl · Jul 5, 2018

Deonne said:
...You're right, this tank would be a great peninsula, although I'm not sure I have the space ... so I'll have to think about it.

One way to think about a peninsula tank is to use it as a room divider. It's how I did mine...it separates my dining and living areas. So keep that in mind as you try to figure out how to make it work. Just some more food for thought.

Deonne · Jul 6, 2018

dbl said:
One way to think about a peninsula tank is to use it as a room divider. It's how I did mine...it separates my dining and living areas. So keep that in mind as you try to figure out how to make it work. Just some more food for thought.

thanks!

Deonne · Jul 9, 2018

Hey all! Ended up going with a different tank (pics below). Its an 80g (48L*24W*16H) that comes with what looks to be a custom 40g sump and stand (its not red sea), and plumbing. This is my first foray into reefing so maybe this size is a bit better on the cost front for now.