Made a mistake, how can I fix it?

AquaForge

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 10, 2024
Messages
192
Reaction score
169
Location
Rochester
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hey there. So I am getting back into the hobby after 40 years away. So much has changed. I have been using the BRS Facebook group and sharing my new build. I plan on doing a build thread here but before I get to that I need some advice. My display tank is a 60 gallon custom tank and I have built a stand from scratch to hold it. What happened is I did an extensive search on where to place my return line on my tank. I could not find many good answers so I asked over on the BRS group and the couple that replied to me said it needs to be the same height as my overflow hole. Well I cut it there and then posted what the result was. Immediately I was told its too low.
Question: Is there a way to fix this where it looks aesthetically pleasing and functional? I have 2 thoughts. One is to get a bulkhead plug, plug it and redrill at the right height. Problem with this is it will look bad. Second is to take a 90 degree street to a 2 inch nipple and raise it up. I think this may look better and also give a bit more adjustability. Any other ideas please let me know. I have barely slept over this because my entire build is based off this odd sized tank. 19.2x37x19.2

Thanks

420011321_10163237767754908_99638463676891289_n.jpg 419862011_10163237767769908_1053460772852296843_n.jpg
 

TX_REEF

Kessil Fanboy
View Badges
Joined
Mar 12, 2023
Messages
3,086
Reaction score
3,642
Location
Texas
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
That's gonna be tricky - if you're running a large enough sump, it should be fine though. The issue with the return that low is that if for some reason the return pump shuts off, the water in the display is gonna drain to the lowest level possible, which in this case will be your return line since that modular tubing is not water tight. You could add a check valve going to the return to prevent back siphon, but for ultimate security you want to make sue your sump can handle the full volume of water that would drain down to your return line hole in case of emergencies. I don't see this as a deal breaker, but from my perspective the sump size is key.
 
OP
OP
AquaForge

AquaForge

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 10, 2024
Messages
192
Reaction score
169
Location
Rochester
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
That's gonna be tricky - if you're running a large enough sump, it should be fine though. The issue with the return that low is that if for some reason the return pump shuts off, the water in the display is gonna drain to the lowest level possible, which in this case will be your return line since that modular tubing is not water tight. You could add a check valve going to the return to prevent back siphon, but for ultimate security you want to make sue your sump can handle the full volume of water that would drain down to your return line hole in case of emergencies. I don't see this as a deal breaker, but from my perspective the sump size is key.
I have a 20 gallon tall, so maybe, just maybe that can catch the water down to that line. I also have a pretty significant aquascape that will add some volume as well. The line is 4 inches down. With sand, rocks it might fit in the 20 I guess I will have to test it before committing to drilling out a new hole
 

Attachments

  • 419777279_10163234002579908_8460366731459943553_n.jpg
    419777279_10163234002579908_8460366731459943553_n.jpg
    154.8 KB · Views: 59

Troylee

all about the diy!!!!!
View Badges
Joined
Jan 15, 2010
Messages
19,350
Reaction score
17,031
Location
Vegas baby!!!!
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
You do have the option also of adding or laminating “I should say” a black piece of acrylic inside the tank on the back to cover that hole and plug it! Redrill the hole higher up and have a cleaner looking display all around! You won’t see the plumbing or wall behind the tank.

If you go this route make sure to have the acrylic cut a 1/4” shorter on the width as it will expand and swell over time! Fill the voids on the sides with black silicone.
 

Katrina71

Learn, Laugh, Love
View Badges
Joined
Mar 26, 2017
Messages
37,351
Reaction score
211,006
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Lots of people mount rocks to glass now. If you patch it, it won't be ugly. Paint the back black, glue a rock above it.
 

Tcook

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 29, 2014
Messages
4,021
Reaction score
9,395
Location
California
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Street 90 to raised the return above wster line. Then you can drill a pin hole on the underside of the flex tube that is above water to prevent siphon. The vertical portion of the pipe can be covered with your rockwork if it really bothers you. I think you will get used to it and it will be a clean looking solution.
 

RocketEngineer

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Sep 3, 2019
Messages
999
Reaction score
1,091
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Another option is to run the return line up on the right until it is above the rim of the tank, then go left. As the line passes above that hole, add a tee with the side part facing down to that fitting. Then the straight part continues to the middle of the tank where a second outlet goes over the back rim.

When the return pump stops, the second outlet will pull air in first and break the siphon in the return line. The water below the tee will drain out the existing return. Sure it’s a little complicated but also gives you adjustments of flow.
 

TX_REEF

Kessil Fanboy
View Badges
Joined
Mar 12, 2023
Messages
3,086
Reaction score
3,642
Location
Texas
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I have a 20 gallon tall, so maybe, just maybe that can catch the water down to that line. I also have a pretty significant aquascape that will add some volume as well. The line is 4 inches down. With sand, rocks it might fit in the 20 I guess I will have to test it before committing to drilling out a new hole
some quick math easy check for us. assuming you fill the display to 1" below the rim, that's 9.23 gallons your sump has to handle if SHTF. That means if your operating sump water level is no more than 8.5", you should be fine. If you have adjustable baffles or doing a DIY sump, that should not be hard to accomplish, and you don't have to mess around with changing your return.

1705421624621.png

1705421637066.png
 
OP
OP
AquaForge

AquaForge

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 10, 2024
Messages
192
Reaction score
169
Location
Rochester
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
some quick math easy check for us. assuming you fill the display to 1" below the rim, that's 9.23 gallons your sump has to handle if SHTF. That means if your operating sump water level is no more than 8.5", you should be fine. If you have adjustable baffles or doing a DIY sump, that should not be hard to accomplish, and you don't have to mess around with changing your return.

1705421624621.png

1705421637066.png


Thank you for researching that! I love those calculators. I AM doing a DIY sump. Got it from that ebay guy that does the cut acrylic. I have a skimmer coming today and can finally lay it out. So i need to keep the water level under 8.5 inches in the return portion so that if SHTF it has enough volume to take it all in and not overflow. I feel marginally better now. :D
 

vetteguy53081

Well known Member and monster tank lover
View Badges
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
96,707
Reaction score
215,505
Location
Wisconsin -
Rating - 100%
15   0   0
Hey there. So I am getting back into the hobby after 40 years away. So much has changed. I have been using the BRS Facebook group and sharing my new build. I plan on doing a build thread here but before I get to that I need some advice. My display tank is a 60 gallon custom tank and I have built a stand from scratch to hold it. What happened is I did an extensive search on where to place my return line on my tank. I could not find many good answers so I asked over on the BRS group and the couple that replied to me said it needs to be the same height as my overflow hole. Well I cut it there and then posted what the result was. Immediately I was told its too low.
Question: Is there a way to fix this where it looks aesthetically pleasing and functional? I have 2 thoughts. One is to get a bulkhead plug, plug it and redrill at the right height. Problem with this is it will look bad. Second is to take a 90 degree street to a 2 inch nipple and raise it up. I think this may look better and also give a bit more adjustability. Any other ideas please let me know. I have barely slept over this because my entire build is based off this odd sized tank. 19.2x37x19.2

Thanks

420011321_10163237767754908_99638463676891289_n.jpg 419862011_10163237767769908_1053460772852296843_n.jpg
the return should be fine and the flow pipes within box will offer the height you end up with. Depending on pump size, you can even go with a splitter for loc-lines as pictured
1705423401949.png
 
OP
OP
AquaForge

AquaForge

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 10, 2024
Messages
192
Reaction score
169
Location
Rochester
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
the return should be fine and the flow pipes within box will offer the height you end up with. Depending on pump size, you can even go with a splitter for loc-lines as pictured
1705423401949.png
Where do you recommend picking one of those up? I looked at Amazon when I bought mine but was only able to find the single one.
 

vetteguy53081

Well known Member and monster tank lover
View Badges
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
96,707
Reaction score
215,505
Location
Wisconsin -
Rating - 100%
15   0   0
OP
OP
AquaForge

AquaForge

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 10, 2024
Messages
192
Reaction score
169
Location
Rochester
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Back
Top