!warning NOOB alert! - help with plumbing

[oddski12]

Hi there reefers, this is my first post so be gentle!

Let me introduce myself first. I've been keeping freshwater tropicals succesfully for around 17 years up to now, and was in the trade for a couple of years. But when it comes to Marines? NOOB!

Anyway, enough of me and onto the question! I've decided to take the plunge into Marines and I'm setting up my 1st tank. To ease the US/UK Gallon issue the tank is 36 x 18 x 12 - the sump is 24 x 12 x 12. Is this classed as nano?

I'm getting the tank drilled tomorrow, but can't find details of where the best places are for the holes!

Please help me pick from the following options (or suggest some different ones!)

Outlet:

1) Outlet pipe level with water line with a strainer on the end half submerged.
2) Outlet pipe slightly below water line with strainer slightly submerged.
3) Outlet pipe with 90 degree bend pointing towards surface but a couple of millimetre submerged.

Return to tank:

1) Above waterline 90 degree bend pointing down splashing on water
2) Level with surface pointing towards up down/front/rear/side.
3) Just below waterline pointing up/down/front/rear/side.
4) Halfway down the tank pointing up/down//front/rear/side.
5) At the bottom of the tank pointing up/down/rear front/side.

And last part of the question - holes will be 1 1/2 inch diameter, 1 in 1 out or 2 in 2 out?

Thankyou in anticipation

Odd

[bertoni]

[welcome]

I would count that as a micro-reef.

I'm not sure I understand the options. Are you planning on an overflow box, or just a strainer? If you're just using a strainer, you'll want the bottom of the hole to be close to the top of the tank, since that's where it'll drain when the power goes out.

I'd just go with 1 hole for output to the sump, and use a return line over the tank.

[oddski12]

Sorry for being unclear! I've decided not to use an overflow box, just a strainer on the end of a pipe.

So, referring to my terrible picture (I'm no artist!) should pipe B be placed along the water level as shown, or a bit lower?

And should pipe A be flowing into the tank from above the surface as shown or should it be submersed (and if so pointing in what direction?)



Thankyou for the quick reply!

Odd

[kau_cinta_ku]

pipe B looks good so you get surface skimming but make sure it is closed off so that fish and inverts can't get through some ppl make the hole below the tank level and then add a 90 degree elbow pointing up with slots in it I'll see if i can find a pic. of what i'm talking about.

pipe A sould be below the water or you will get microbubbles and i point mine toward the front glass in the middle.

[oddski12]

Thanks guys, I feel I can go and get my tank drilled without worrying about making the wrong decision now!

Let's hope it doesn't crack eh?

Odd

[bertoni]

No cracking would be good.

This is what I'd consider for the return:

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=FT0001

[oddski12]

Thanks that sounds ideal. Just need to find one in the uk now! Tank drilling went smoothly without any glitches.

Cheers

Odd