Brand new to Saltwater & Knoxville! Intro post/looking for help or advice.

[BlueDevil]

Thanks! If I'm running a BeanAnimal system, from what I can tell, I'd be just as fine making my own overflow box, wouldn't I? Literally all it looks like I'd need is somewhere to house the PVC & all of that piping would do the actual work.

If you'd be willing to let me borrow that to drill, I'd be super appreciative I don't have any qualms about drilling my tank, worst case scenario is it shatters everywhere & I have to grab a brand new one at PetCo's $1 per gallon sale. I'd definitely love to see your setup too, it's hard to conceptually picture a lot of these things just based off of articles & drawings.

If you have the requisite DIY skills, you can totally build the box for the BA setup. Just let me know whenever you want to drill the tank and you're more than welcome to borrow the drill bit. If you don't have any plans this weekend, shoot me a PM and we can figure out a time for you to come check out my setup and get the bit.

 

[KJ]

Welcome Brandon

 

[Reeflogic]

Welcome to ETRC! I guess Yash didn't mention me because I'm in the middle of a move and he was afraid I wouldn't have the time to help with your tank, which is pretty accurate, lol. The pics show the tank is filled with livestock? I don't have much time to get to your place, but if you have a way to drag the tank to Maryville, I'd be glad to help you drill it. It's actually very easy, people just get nervous. I believe Yash has the correct bit for the overflow bulkheads and I still have the smaller bit for the return bulkheads, 60 mm I think? I'll need to double-check that. Also, do you know the brand of the tank? Make sure it's not tempered!

Also, just my 2 cents on your mag 12.... It's a big pump for a 55 and the Mag pumps produce a LOT of heat. So much in fact that your heater may not even kick on lol, at least in my experience they added too much heat. I ended up having to run my mag 9's externally on an old system, several years ago. If you can find a used DC pump, I highly recommend selling the mag 12 and going that route!

As you already know or are now finding out, it's not a cheap hobby and your planned budget usually gets squashed, so take your time, research every component before spending a dime and make sure you have made a wise choice. Nothing worse than dropping a few hundred bucks on equipment to find out that you should have gone a different route. You usually get what you pay for in this hobby, sometimes it's peace of mind and others is headache after headache!!

Also, if you get a chance, definitely go see some of these guys tanks / systems. It may help you decide on equipment, set up, etc. Just be VERY aware you may get Reef Savvy envy and your future tank budget will be insane!! You are in good hands with the ETRC, I highly recommend you join and make some meetings. Such a great group of people to enjoy the hobby with. Except KGB, watch out for that guy.....

 

[KJ]

Except KGB, watch out for that guy.....

Blah blah blah blah

 

[Reeflogic]

Blah blah blah blah

You know I love ya bro!!

 

[Reefrookie220]

I also have experience drilling tanks and would be able to help.

 

[cee]

I too have a bit or two, don't recall which size though. Would be happy to drill it for you but obviously it has to be drained and the panel you're drilling has to be parallel to the ground to hold water in a dam for cooling the bit.

An overflow can be quite reliable. Siphon breaks are rare, and you can add an Aqualifter pump to the tube to constantly void any air that might get trapped as insurance. I've run many tanks with them in the 1980s and 1990s w/ no problems.

 

[Schreiber]

Also, just my 2 cents on your mag 12.... It's a big pump for a 55 and the Mag pumps produce a LOT of heat. So much in fact that your heater may not even kick on lol, at least in my experience they added too much heat. I ended up having to run my mag 9's externally on an old system, several years ago. If you can find a used DC pump, I highly recommend selling the mag 12 and going that route!

I definitely plan on keeping my eye out for one. I've looked, but haven't found any. I've only found one used pump for sale and it's...another Mag 12. This will work for know I suppose.

I also have experience drilling tanks and would be able to help.

I too have a bit or two, don't recall which size though. Would be happy to drill it for you but obviously it has to be drained and the panel you're drilling has to be parallel to the ground to hold water in a dam for cooling the bit.

An overflow can be quite reliable. Siphon breaks are rare, and you can add an Aqualifter pump to the tube to constantly void any air that might get trapped as insurance. I've run many tanks with them in the 1980s and 1990s w/ no problems.

If one of you are free this weekend, I may take you up on that. I wish I had known I was going to have to drill it before I set all the rock up... But oh well. My cycle is nearly done & I'll have to do a massive water change anyway. May as well take that opportunity to empty it out to drill too.

 

[Salty1962]

Welcome to R2R! Nice looking setup. If you set your sump up correctly, you shouldn't have any flooding issues. Always test your system by turning off your return pump to make sure that the level in your sump is correct. You should not lose your siphon in your overflow either. Good luck!

 

[cee]

I definitely plan on keeping my eye out for one. I've looked, but haven't found any. I've only found one used pump for sale and it's...another Mag 12. This will work for know I suppose.





If one of you are free this weekend, I may take you up on that. I wish I had known I was going to have to drill it before I set all the rock up... But oh well. My cycle is nearly done & I'll have to do a massive water change anyway. May as well take that opportunity to empty it out to drill too.

Sorry, leaving for Cali tomorrow.

 

[Esage]

Welcome to ETRC, nice tank. I also ran a HOB for several years with no issues.

 

[jmann124]

I have a pump that may work for you. I can't remember what size it is. I'll look when I get home tonight.

 

[Schreiber]

Sorry, leaving for Cali tomorrow.

It's all good, thanks for the offer

Welcome to ETRC, nice tank. I also ran a HOB for several years with no issues.

Awesome, thanks for the info. Since I already have it, I may as well use it for extra air exchange.

I have a pump that may work for you. I can't remember what size it is. I'll look when I get home tonight.

Beautiful, thanks!

 

[BlueDevil]

Brandon - if you want to come by and borrow my drill bit this weekend let me know. I should be home most of the weekend.

 

[Schreiber]

Brandon - if you want to come by and borrow my drill bit this weekend let me know. I should be home most of the weekend.

Sent you a PM about 10 minutes ago actually, did you get it? ....I also may have posted on your wall first, because I'm not very bright.

 

[BlueDevil]

Sent you a PM about 10 minutes ago actually, did you get it? ....I also may have posted on your wall first, because I'm not very bright.

Sent you a message back [emoji4]

 

[jmann124]

Beautiful, thanks!

It's a Danner model 3 utility pump.
480gph max (335@3'). www.dannermfg.com/Store/products/danner/PID-02513.aspx

It may not be enough for you but you can have it for $25 if you want to try it or have it as a back up. I've been using it for water changes but I have another I can use for that.

 

[Schreiber]

It's a Danner model 3 utility pump.
480gph max (335@3'). www.dannermfg.com/Store/products/danner/PID-02513.aspx

It may not be enough for you but you can have it for $25 if you want to try it or have it as a back up. I've been using it for water changes but I have another I can use for that.

That would be awesome, thanks!! It definitely sounds like it'd be better suited for my tank over the monster pump I have right now. I'll shoot you a pm in the morning to set up a time with you

 

[jmann124]

That would be awesome, thanks!! It definitely sounds like it'd be better suited for my tank over the monster pump I have right now. I'll shoot you a pm in the morning to set up a time with you

We'll have to meet in West Knoxville between 3 and 330 because I'm going out of town this weekend.

 

[parroki]

You can use an aqualifter pump to prime your siphon if you are concerned about power outages. We did one for a local high school last year because they were concerned about power outage and no one being there on summer break and holidays. You drill and tap a 1/4" line into your siphon tube and connect it to the lifter pump. They run theirs 24x7 but I would recommend a power module to shut off after 5 to 10 minutes after is deteccts power.

Best of luck and welcome!