Drilling 120gal - Size of drains/returns

DB9181

DB9181

New member
Well ... Its official, I'm upgrading my 75g (which i still havent even transfered all my corals/livestock to) to a 120gal 60x18x26!

I have two drill bits that I rather keep using (almost brand new), a .75'' and a 1.5''.

My thought is to have two .75''in returns (T'ed off a 1000gph return pump) and 3 .75'' drains. I'm thinking .75s so that I can drill them higher (I found out w/ my 75g a 1.5'' bulkhead needs to be rather low to clear the black trim). With .75'' drains I can place them higher, therefore if there's a power outage and it drains to the sump, let water will drain.

My thought is to drill 3 .75'' drain, with the possibilty of plugging the 3rd if its not needed (this way if later i need it, I dont need to empty the entire tank/stock) with strainers on them. they will all have valves on them as well to control the flow/close them.

Thoughts? Need to decide/order bulkheads asap, picking up the tank tomorrow and want to start on this project :)
 
I feel like you need more drain here but I don't know the formulas. The returns are under pressure and the drain is just gravity so I'd be worried about overflow if one of those drains got plugged at all. Also, is your glass bit .75" or the right size for 3/4" bulkhead? (Big difference) :D
 
Dave, not a closed loop as my plumbing skills aren't all that great - Basic sump/fuge - probably a 55gal or 40B (anyone got a 55gal laying around??? lol) with a ETSS 800 external skimmer (rated 150g-400gal) not sure if it'll fit inside the stand, so I may have to but it next to the stand/tank w/ its own 'cover/box' to hide it.

Herb, Sorry bits are FOR 1.5'' or .75'' bulkheads (purchased from glass-holes.com) I could always do 4 .75'' drains...? all with strainers. Like I said, I can drill a 1.5'' drain but that means that the bottom of the drain would be roughly 4in under the water line - Lose power, and thats 4.67gal per inch ~ almost 20gals of water draining. IF I put a 55gal sump, then I guess that managable and only have it 1/2 ful while running.

Just measured... a .75'' drain would still be roughly 3'' under waterline, therefore I'm only saving ~5gal of water draining.

Alright, new plan: 1.5'' w/ 2 .75'' drains. OR: 2 1.5'' drains?
 
No, Thats why I'm drilling the tank via the back glass. Running pvc (with valves) to drain the sump/fuge in the stand. Will build the sump/fuge w/ dividers blah blah blah, then use a 1000gph return pump pvc line with a T-split running to two .75'' returns.
 
I was going to just use two bulkhead strainers, but might be leaning towards a 1500gph overflow kit from glass-holes.com which would give me two 1.5'' drains, and I already have the hole saw for 1.5''s
 
DB9, did you get the 1500gph kit from glassholes? if not I have one that i installed on a 125 but never used since i accidentally cracked the tank after the water test. the only thing i don't have are the drill bits. i have the 1500 overflow kit with 2- 3/4" returns with locline and flare nozzles. right now the kit is just sitting in a box not being used. and sorry i already ate the candy that came with the kit.
 
Da*n, lol Thanks for the offer Mike - the 120g is up and running now. I went ahead and purchased the 1500pgh overflow from GH.com - Thanks for checking on it though :)
 
i stalked your profile looking for a build do you have one for your tank? i'm going to check out your stand build since i'm debating between the 120 and 150 gallon. i think the 30" tall 150 might be a bit too high. i was in your neck of the woods today and checked out ocean design on addison and the guy in there seemed real nice he didn't mind a game of 20 questions. have you been there and if so impressions.
 
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