Drilled Hole Placement for Return.... Need Opinions!

Reeflogic

Reeflogic

New member
Hey gang,

I'm nearing the day to set up this 57g Illuminata rimless, to downsize my 90, for the move. This will eventually be a tank I move upstairs in my new house and likely house Z&P's + my snowflake pair and some BTA's.

I am going to drill for my return flow. I have a speedwave DC3000 and will be using dual rotating accelerators from Aquacave. My initial plan was to have the returns where the red/black circles are, which allows me to adjust them pretty much anyway I want, for flow. I then started thinking about adding the hole where the green/black circle is and just adding a threaded "T" inside the overflow area and attaching the flow accelerators with some additional loc-line, which would keep me to one hole needed and pretty much hide the plumbing.

I am going to try my luck at one of the DIY rock background methods floating around out there and have (2) panels on either side of the overflow box, so any plumbing would be hidden anyways, but I am still leaning towards the green/black area to drill. It seems I will have enough room that it will not interfere with my herbie overflow that I will use, which is basically a short pipe with strainer and a taller pipe for water height and emergency overflow, so should be good there.

I'd just like some opinions and maybe just having more eyes on it, someone might see something that I may not and lean me one way or the other. I've added a couple of pics to show what I'm talking about. Thanks guys.

View attachment 18893

View attachment 18894
 
I like the green dot idea inside the overflow. It will definitely hide the plumbing quite a bit.

I love clean setups where you don't see any equipment inside the tank. I think the center return would meet that.
 
No problem. I've seen your other build thread so I know you like everything to be clean as do I. I guess that's why I like vortech's so much. No cords.
 
Yep! I will have an MP10 or 2 on the build down the road, it's going to have 1 of my MP40's on it for now, dialed down of course haha.
 
Are you planning on using that larger overflow? Maybe consider a smaller box shape that won't take away lots of space like the one picture? I'm now sorta wishing I didn't have a predrilled with large overflow taking lots of space in my tank.
 
Yeah, Ryan, I have grown fond of the external boxes with beananimal drains, but I do not want to take a chance on removing this , plus the 2 holes drilled on the bottom, so I will just use the built in box. Mostly just trying to figure out if I want 2 holes or one for a return ;)
 
You can plug the holes in the bottom the cover with sand and rock around it. Paint the plugs a color to hide it
 
Yeah, I just planned on making some dry rock DIY back ground inserts for either side of the overflow and then let nature run it's course, I hate losing the space in the tank, but I think it will be fine for now. But once I get my next BIG build going, I will no doubt have the external style box overflow.
 
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