archaeoreefer
06/17/2005, 10:00 AM
Anyone have plumbing pics or diagrams for their larger cubes? I've just ordered a 60 gallon (24x24x24") acrylic cube with internal overflow (8x5" centered on back wall), and wondfering where to have the manufacturers (SoCal Creations) drill holes for the sump return and closed loop. The tank with be SPS dominant (but not exclusive).
The following are two versions of my most recent idea:
No. 1:
My original thought was to place to CL returns high up to either side of the overflow, in the middle of the 8" panel to either side, and a second pair equal distance from the bottom. The intakes (2) would be placed equadistantly between the returns. The intakes would be plumbed together (T'd) to run an Ocean Motions 4-way cycling to the returns. I'm also thinking about having the bottom of the overflow drilled for either/or 2 3/4" drains that can be regulated or shut off using ball valves below the tank (with paired Steadman stockpipes), and a pair of holes for the sump returns that would exit in the middle face of the overflow.
No. 2:
Same basic idea as above, but instead of the CL intakes placed midway between the CL outlets in each panel, these are replaced with smaller sump return outlets. The previous sump return lines in the overflow would be replaced by a single larger diameter hole for the CL intake that would emerge from the middle face of the overflow (with enough room to stagger the drains within the overflow).
The tank will be BB, so they're be no sand to fly around. Is this overengineering for a 2' cube? Would a better design be more practical? Those of you with cubes, if you could start over, how would you design your system differently (if at all)? Hope to post a couple of drawings shortly.
The following are two versions of my most recent idea:
No. 1:
My original thought was to place to CL returns high up to either side of the overflow, in the middle of the 8" panel to either side, and a second pair equal distance from the bottom. The intakes (2) would be placed equadistantly between the returns. The intakes would be plumbed together (T'd) to run an Ocean Motions 4-way cycling to the returns. I'm also thinking about having the bottom of the overflow drilled for either/or 2 3/4" drains that can be regulated or shut off using ball valves below the tank (with paired Steadman stockpipes), and a pair of holes for the sump returns that would exit in the middle face of the overflow.
No. 2:
Same basic idea as above, but instead of the CL intakes placed midway between the CL outlets in each panel, these are replaced with smaller sump return outlets. The previous sump return lines in the overflow would be replaced by a single larger diameter hole for the CL intake that would emerge from the middle face of the overflow (with enough room to stagger the drains within the overflow).
The tank will be BB, so they're be no sand to fly around. Is this overengineering for a 2' cube? Would a better design be more practical? Those of you with cubes, if you could start over, how would you design your system differently (if at all)? Hope to post a couple of drawings shortly.