Buying a new display tank

[Ram_Puppy]

After all the work I have put into this 30 hex, I am going to replace the display tank (simple reason, is that there are scratches on the glass on almost every face, now tha tthe tank is humming along, those scratches fill with algae and become HIGHLY visible.)

So I decided a while back to make the current tank the refugium/sump, and buy an identical hex to replace it as the display tank.

Should I have (is it dan or matt?) make me an overflow for the tank, or should I find someone locally to drill it?

both hex's are 30 gallons, I am tentatively thinking of putting a 20 gallon tank between them (in terms of water flow) to act as a sump, and having the 20 drain into the 30 hex refugium.

I am not sure how big the pipes should be, but I think I calculated I would need about a Mag 7 to push the water back through the ACQD which i decided to use after all...

I appreciate any help you guys can offer... my wife would be mortified to find her carpet soaked because of my ignorance!

[BA]

Dan works on the killer sumps, Matt builds the awesome skimmers

[GaryP]

Dan also builds overflows. Aquatic Warehouse can drill your tank for you.

Gary

[matt]

If it's an acrylic tank, it's very easy to drill

[Tim Marvin]

I'd drill it so you don't have to deal with salt creep. Use a 1.5 inch bulkhead. Have Dan build you an overflow for a corner or center to hide the pipe.

[Ram_Puppy]

So with a 1.5 inch bulkhead, would that also be 1 1/2 inch PVC piping as well? And can I get the bulkhead and the protective covers to keep anemones and snails from goin for rides locally? I think I have heard Alamo Aquatics stocks this stuff, but if it is cheaper to order on-line, no problem there either.

If Aquatic Warehouse can drill it (it is glass) hopefully I can get everything from them.

Thanks guys...

I diagrammed out my plan for the refugium, I will try and post it later tonight. (I am at work and can't FTP to my webspace.)

[Tim Marvin]

http://www.savko.com/PartList.asp?pgid=2
These are big enough so the snails can go down them or you can use the screen. A 1 inch bulkhead will clog if a snail gets inside and your house will be flooded.

[REEFAHOLIC]

Matt makes awesome sumps to. I picked up the one he made for me on the weekend for the 320g. Totally awesome

[Ram_Puppy]

sorry to dredge this up... getting close to ordering the tank, and wondering...

would I have it drilled up through the bottom of the tank, or should i have it come in near the top on the back panel?

And what size PVC pipe should I use with the reccomended 1.5" bulkhead, 1.5" PVC seems the no-brainer, but, I am not the worlds most brilliant..

and should I put a valve in, incase it proves to be more than my return pump can handle?

[matt]

Dril the bottom of the tank and have an overflow made; it's basically a box with notches on the top to allow water to flow into it. An alternative is to drill on the back near the top, and use an upturned elbow with a screen as your "overflow." Each way has advantages/disadvantages. Yours is a pretty small tank, so an elbow can probably handle the flow of your return pump.
1.5" bulkheads do take 1.5" PVC.

You never should put a valve in your drain line. Instead, if you have to, you can restrict the flow on your return pump.

[GaryP]

A calfo overflow built into the back 3 sides of your hex might be interesting. It might be a beast to fabricate though. Someone would probably have to build a jig to get the angles exactly right.

Gary