What size holes for overflow to sump

[peterp63]

I am planning out the design of a 300 gallon glass aquarium.  I need to draw up the design and send it to GlassCages.com so that I can meet their deadline before they send their shipment to Houston.

I'm planning on using the tank as a room divider.  I would like one side to have a wall divider overflow, but I'm unsure on the size/number of holes to use.  Can someone advise here?

I will use a suitable sized wet/dry filter and sump connected to a plant refugium.  Also I plan on using a canister filter to discharge through a reverse flow undergravel filter.  Probably an FX5 or Ehiem 2080.

Does anyone have experience with GlassCages.com?  They seem to be the cheapest that I can find for this type of work.

Main question is the size of the drilled holes.  What is typical for an overflow to a wet/dry filter capable of filtering a 300 gallon aquarium?  2" holes???  1"???

Thanks to all in advance!!!

[Zulaab]

Re: What size holes for overflow to sump

Peter -- I would recommend calling glasscages.com and talk to them about it for sure.
I would recommend and see if they will drill it for intake and exhaust kit for the All Glass (Oceanic) as you can get those for about $50.00 online.
Third.. since you said you wanted to make it a room divider I have looked at one tank I really like as a room divider...  It drilled instead of the back wall in the center of the tank about 1 foot from each end.  The divider tank is approx 240 gallon tank.  The tank has two major rock formations which happens to be leaning up against and using the "towers" which makes them "almost" disappear.

Hopefully this will help you on your way.
I dont know what size to use, for exhaust and intake, but 1in sounds about right ?????  not sure.

[peterp63]

Re: What size holes for overflow to sump

Yeah, I thought about the center overflows.  I guess you'd have better water movement...less stagnant areas in the tank.  I just didn't want to impede on the swimming area for the fish.  Plus, the point of the room divider is to see through the tank into the next room... kinda.  I'll have to think about that...

[Zulaab]

Re: What size holes for overflow to sump

Yeah, I thought about the center overflows.  I guess you'd have better water movement...less stagnant areas in the tank.  I just didn't want to impede on the swimming area for the fish.  Plus, the point of the room divider is to see through the tank into the next room... kinda.  I'll have to think about that...

This is why the tank I looked at, had it done was because they wanted to have the rock formation center lined in the tank and giving it the perspective that no matter which side you looked at it, it would always look like it was the front side of the tank you where looking at.

[mikeb144]

Re: What size holes for overflow to sump

I do not have any experence with Glasscages, however I do have a 300 acrylic.  The sizes of the holes depends on the amount of water you are trying to move.  I have four 1" holes going to a 55gal sump, turning the water over at about 950 gallons an hour.  The people at glasscages should be able to give you some advice on hole size and water return.  Good luck and congrat. on the new tank. Mike  P.S. If they can't or won't, maybe you dealing with the wrong people.  If they don't work for try calling  Woody a www.precisioncustomaquarium.com  he is in Ball Ground Ga. He did a great job for me.

[peterp63]

Re: What size holes for overflow to sump

I'm going for a glass tank.  Do you think two center over flows would be that much better water flow than a end wall divider over flow?  I'm thinking the center overflows will obstruct the view too much being that this is going to be a room divider.

[mikeb144]

Re: What size holes for overflow to sump

I am not sure what you mean by wall divider overflow. But if you are going with center overflows in M/O, two  1" will not give you the return to the sump you will need.  My experence is limited in this area.  All of my tanks are drilled from the back with four holes.  I am sure there are people here that will post and help.  In M/O for a 300 you need a return of at least 800-1000 gal an hour.  Of course  everthing depends on what you are going to have in your tank and how many.

[peterp63]

Re: What size holes for overflow to sump

By wall divider overflow, I mean a piece of glass that actually divides the entire tank depth-wise from the overflow.  Basically, the overflow is the size of the depth of the tank.  See the pictures on the link attached.  If I went with this type of overflow I would have them drill four 1" holes and two to four 1.5".  If I went with two center overflows I would have them drill two 1" holes and two 1.5" holes for each overflow.  The smaller holes being utilized for the return from the sump.

http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=Overflows

[Zulaab]

Re: What size holes for overflow to sump

This is where I would use the # 3 -- center it with Black overflows and build around each of them a rock formation around each overflow so they will be almost invisible to the tank.  Look at getting a pro clear 400 for your tank this will give you two overflow inputs and then I would run two pumps each giving you a return back to each of the two overflows.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: What size holes for overflow to sump

Those center/pillar type overflows have to be the most hideous thing I have ever seen.....whatever reason for that design the person who thought of it should be shot.


Corner overflows are less obtrusive IMO and for the tiny filter you are planning on using I wouldn't even wast your time drilling that tank...If I were to drill a tank for a canister filter it would have to be nothing less then a 2260/2262.....and if I were to drill a tank for a canister filter then it would have to be simple drain/strainer design like how delock's tank it.

[peterp63]

Re: What size holes for overflow to sump

Ek, what do you think about the wall overflow?  It would only be on one side of the tank.  With the undergravel jet filtation I think I would have enough circulation along with some high capacity return pumps from the sump.  I have to drill the tank because the sides will be right up against the walls.  No room for anything to hang over.  I agree that the center overflows are obstructive - especially for a room divider.  My SECOND filtation will be a canister that returns through the jets.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: What size holes for overflow to sump

If you have room for it....

block off both side walls and paint them so they are not obtrusive and have dual overflows.....and then the eheim 2262 underneath if you feel the need.

[peterp63]

Re: What size holes for overflow to sump

Do you think a wet/dry with sufficient capacity will work by itself?  I plan on having a lot of fish - Tang Lake tank.

What is the capacity of the 2262?

[eklikewhoa]

Re: What size holes for overflow to sump

Depends on what type of setup you plan on going with and how big your pocket book is.

If it were me with your limitations....


Dual side overflows....plumbed into a 4ft 75g custom wet/dry.......drains to the center of 75g and dual return pumps on both ends of at least 1200gph.
Then Have 2x holes about 1.5" drilled at 2/3 of the tank from both sides and have a 2262 plumbed there with a simple open hole for each with a simple strainer on both.

Hydor, Tunze powerhead on each side to point at dead spots after they are found.....you still have to run lights somehow so I am guessing at some point the side walls have to be accessible somewhere so that's where some wires can go for these powerheads.

[mikeb144]

Re: What size holes for overflow to sump

I am sure there are a lot of combos that would work, whats working for me is W/D and FX5.  I have 19 W/C Burundi Frontosa and four large clown loachs.