hey guys i am ordering my 180 help

[savethereef]

hey guys i am going to put in my order for my 180 it will be a divider tank one side to the dining room another to the living room tell me how this looks any problems. i plan on a 1.5 drain and two 3/4 returns. is that right??? ill try and load a pic in a second of what i want. This will be acrylic 1/2 inch all around

[savethereef]

[savethereef]

the holes on the top 4 corners those will be on the top of the tank so i can put any power head cables thru. the drain i plan on a 1 1/2 inch and returns will be two 3/4 returns.

It will be all 1/2 inch acrylic all around.

[SteveOhh]

I'd go 2" w/ the drain...................Always better to go bigger & not have to worry about upgrading later...............

[NVTE]

It looks good bro. I do agree with SteveOhh. Go bigger drain bro.

[frogiii]

2" is pretty big hole. 1.5" maybe??

[Macimage]

I agree. I'd go bigger on the drain (2") and also bigger on the returns (1"). It's easier to use pvc reduction fittings if the flow is too much through the 1", but harder to increase the holes sizes later if the 3/4" is too small.

Joyce

[savethereef]

Wow what is the advantage of a 2 inch drain. it would be more costly for tubing and unions i think. besides my return pump is a dolphin 3200. And the set up i have on the returns for that is 2 3/4 returns so i would have to replace alot.

[SteveOhh]

2" drain = bigger drain that will move more water.............Is the 3200 pressure rated??

[Konadog]

I would go bigger also. But, be sure to get your bulkheads before you have it drilled or made. Bulk head sizes are different than the pipe size! One other thing, make your corner holes big enough you can put a wavy sea or sea swirl thru if you want to later.

[wishntoboutside]

i would consider to have 2 large opening vrs 3 openings. makes it eaiser to put bigger rocks in and such.

for the four holes drilled i would go slightly biger then one inch. to be able to put a power cord through. or one of those tunze plugs. measure first.=).

not familar with you pump. what is the gallon rate and head loss. also what is your hmm ideal turnover rate.

[jlnguyen74]

Another option is three 1 inches holes, two outside for drain, middle one is return, which T into two return 1" bulkheads with locline on each side of overflow box

[jlnguyen74]

I also agree with two big opening vs three smaller one, since you may want to put some big rock

[savethereef]

Ok question of 2 large openings i will be using 3 metal halides i plan on running 250w 400w 250w

If i run that 400w on top of the acrylic would it melt or break. I thought it was necessary for the top to be open???

As for drains i think i will keep the 3/4 for returns and 1.5 inch drain. Corner holes for power cord cables would 1.5 inch be enough???

As for my pump its just a Dolphin 2700/3200.

For circulation inside i am am going to run one Tunze 6100 one M820 Seio and one M1500 Seio. And once tunze nano stream. And a wavebox.

i will be using my 1/3 current usa chiller. and a custom 70 gallon sump i already have.


Thanks for that what is the best place to get plumbing parts marine depot???

[raskal311]

2” is really big; make sure you can fit dorsa in the overflow box (bigger is not always better). Our 300 has a 2” over flow in a big over flow box but still couldn’t fit a dorsa stand pipe.

[raskal311]

opps I see your going with 1.5.

[savethereef]

yeah thats the first thing i though about when i though 2 inch drain and the returns its going to be a tight fit. 1.5 is great plus i already have a durso for that size hehe so going to reuse it.

[frogiii]

wise choice.... 1.5" should be used. 2" is way too big of hole. unless, you want to suck up and drain everything inside your tank, fish, critters, swishhhhh.... down it goes...

[savethereef]

thanks

So anyone can i use the MH right over the middle bracing if i do two big holes with out any damage.