Custom/DIY Tower sump overflow and plumbing

Hi all,

Need some advice on a few things before i start drilling my 40 breeders. I have attached a rough mock up of what i have sketched out thus far including as well a two options for the overflow strainers (horizontal or vertical) and wanted this great communities feedback.

The question are:

1. Do i need a internal overflow box/weir if I place the drains closer to the top of the tank/water level i want. I intend to use strainers and will not have plants or other matter than can clog the drains.
2. Is there a best configuration of the strainer screen to attach to the bulk head. I am going to use threaded bulkheads and wanted to have them vertical but am thinking horizontal should function the same and not drain as much water into the sump with a power outage or when i do water changes.

Welcome questions and feedback on this. About a week away from starting the drilling and want to ensure i am not overlooking something foolish before i get too deep.

Thanks all!

A few piece of info that are important to share.

• overflow/drain bulkheads are 1"
• return bulkhead 3/4 inch driven by a 1400gph pump that will be turned down ie not running 1400gph
• these are for breeding and will not be display tanks - would like to limit noise a little but not worried about that as much

 

I think the bulkheads are way too small. Even if the 1400gph is turned down to 400gph it will still clog. Stuff like mulm and bacteria growth will grow and unexpectedly clog bulkheads

Just fyi, I had TWO bulkheads about 3/4" for a 800gph pump and the actual flow rate of the pump at the highest point was about 400gph

 

I think the bulkheads are way too small. Even if the 1400gph is turned down to 400gph it will still clog. Stuff like mulm and bacteria growth will grow and unexpectedly clog bulkheads

Just fyi, I had TWO bulkheads about 3/4" for a 800gph pump and the actual flow rate of the pump at the highest point was about 400gph

Appreciate the info. For my show tank I have a 90 gallon pre drilled tank that is running a durso/weir with 1" drain and 3/4" return (plumbing kit that came with the tank) with the same pump cranked all the way up and it has been keeping up just fine for the last year. Real world flow is probably only 600-800gph (have not tested) but wondering what may be different in our setups. I would assume the durso wouldn't have that much more flow than an uninhibited bulkhead but either way appreciate the input - definitely don't want a flood so trying to scrutinize this build as much as i can before i do all the cutting

I know the durso runs on a large "middle" pipe (1.25) to create more pressure but wouldn't assume this much flow change - but could be 1,000% wrong and trying to make sure i get this right!

thanks for your input!

 

Appreciate the info. For my show tank I have a 90 gallon pre drilled tank that is running a durso/weir with 1" drain and 3/4" return (plumbing kit that came with the tank) with the same pump cranked all the way up and it has been keeping up just fine for the last year. Real world flow is probably only 600-800gph but wondering what may be different in our setups. I would assume the durso wouldn't have more flow than an uninhibited bulkhead but either way appreciate the input - definitely don't want a flood so trying to scrutinize this build as much as i can before i do all the cutting

Yeah by clogs I just meant preparing for the worst. When all the stars align just right, the impossible can happen. For me in the 8+ years of my overflow setup I think I had about 2 clogs?

So my approach is to just design for the extreme.

What's in the tank will of course be a big factor. If planted then there will be big problems. If no plants and no light then probably okay. If there is light then BBA and other algae can potentially clog it.... BBA loves the strainers.

Also, a single 1" drain can be potentially better than two 3/4" or even two 1" drains due to the increased water pressure. A lot of tricky fluid dynamics going on....

 

Yeah by clogs I just meant preparing for the worst. When all the stars align just right, the impossible can happen. For me in the 8+ years of my overflow setup I think I had about 2 clogs?

So my approach is to just design for the extreme.

What's in the tank will of course be a big factor. If planted then there will be big problems. If no plants and no light then probably okay. If there is light then BBA and other algae can potentially clog it.... BBA loves the strainers.

Also, a single 1" drain can be potentially better than two 3/4" or even two 1" drains due to the increased water pressure. A lot of tricky fluid dynamics going on....

Makes sense - i am definitely a prep for the worst kind of guy. So maybe bumping up to 1.5" is the better move or would that be overkill?


Also - I just found this grid on bulkheads - please challenge all - i dont want a flood or to setup and find out i dont have enough flow.

 

Yeah the flow rate is more than enough. Just gotta watch for "stuff" blocking it like leaves, mulm, algae etc

 

Yeah the flow rate is more than enough. Just gotta watch for "stuff" blocking it like leaves, mulm, algae etc

Sorry. You mean the 1.5? Just trying to understand why the flow rates of a 1" seem to support the flow I'm looking for. Just want to understand and be as I formed as I can before drilling.

Just for good I measure my 1" bulkhead and in inner diameter seems to be closer to 1.25"

 

On the horizontal set up I am a little confused, you have it labeled as a couple inches below the rim. Is that going to be where your waterline is set?

 

On the horizontal set up I am a little confused, you have it labeled as a couple inches below the rim. Is that going to be where your waterline is set?

Thanks for the questions!!! To answer you - Yup, these are going to breeding tanks in the basement fishroom. The reason for the few inches below the rim is to have enough room for the bulkhead and strainer but will be getting them as close as possible within reason.

 

Awesome, I think the setup looks good. I would love to see pictures once you get going, I am working on building a new fishroom in my basement as well. Always like to see how others have theirs set up!

 

Drilling too close to top may weaken the glass IMO ..

 

Sorry. You mean the 1.5? Just trying to understand why the flow rates of a 1" seem to support the flow I'm looking for. Just want to understand and be as I formed as I can before drilling.

Just for good I measure my 1" bulkhead and in inner diameter seems to be closer to 1.25"

Flow rate is dependant on the water pressure so that's why in your chart there are different flow rates listed for each size.

But higher pressure means the water line will also be higher so you need to leave more space above the bulkhead in order to allow room for the water to fill up.

 

Flow rate is dependant on the water pressure so that's why in your chart there are different flow rates listed for each size.

But higher pressure means the water line will also be higher so you need to leave more space above the bulkhead in order to allow room for the water to fill up.

Gotcha - ive got some 1.5" bulkheads on the way. I don't have the space to step up to 2" pvc so am going to have to step down to 1.25" pvc but it looks like the flow rates are still closer to what i will be needing and give me that extra flow if needed.

 

follow up question - instead of drilling and plumbing the second/lower tank i am thinking about simply having the top tank "dump" into the bottom tank. Thinking it will provide surface agitation and some water flow vs the bulkhead simply allowing water to flow in below the water line. Not sure i want to introduce THAT mush noise but had that thought as i started to sketch out and measure for my plumbing.

Any thoughts all?

 

As long as the water flows out it should work