Equipment

[ismvel]

Well I couldn't hold off until I got my larger tank up and running, so I went and purchased a 20 gallon long and 10 gallon (for fuge/sump) and am now needing some equipment. Looking at getting this up and running fairly cheaply, so I can concentrate on getting the good equipment for the larger tank. What I need is:

Return pump (nothing large, this is only a 20 gallon tank, but enough to make a 30x turnover ratio - 700 gph or so)

Need to drill a hole for an overflow - can anyone point me in the direction where I can find a good diamond tipped hole saws? Hole will need to be either 1-1/8" (1/2" bulkhead) or 1-5/8" (3/4" bulkhead)

Lighting - looking at either PC or T-5 (from 20" - 30" in length)

Thanks

[ou812pezz]

hole saw
http://stores.ebay.com/saltydepot

[ismvel]

hole saw
http://stores.ebay.com/saltydepot
Thanks, I should have hole saw here in the next couple of days.

No-one has an extra mag 7, 9 or any other type of pump in that range they want to get rid of?

Don't feel like spending the money on a new one for my small tank.

[aggie4231]

A 1/2" or 3/4" drain will not support 700 gph. A 1" hole supports 600 gph max, so a 3/4 probably some where under 500 gph. I know that on one of my tanks, I had a 3/4" drain and a Mag 9 with 4ft of head was just too much. A mag 7 with 4ft of head was just about right, just a little too much, unless you use a valve to back it off a touch.

[ismvel]

Thanks, I am not fully well versed on these types of issues, but if a 1/2" drain will not support 700 gph, why does the Mag 7 pump come with both 1/2" sized inlet and outlet?

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~DN1125.html

I just assumed that that particular sized tubing would work with that pump...

[Bill S]

Big difference between a pump, where some pressure is involved, and a drain, where a lot of air gets mixed in AND it depends on gravity to generate the pressure.

[ismvel]

Big difference between a pump, where some pressure is involved, and a drain, where a lot of air gets mixed in AND it depends on gravity to generate the pressure.
Okay, I definitely misunderstood then.....or in my ignorance, I just didn't quite understand....so help me out here...using Aggie's example...

I know that on one of my tanks, I had a 3/4" drain and a Mag 9 with 4ft of head was just too much. A mag 7 with 4ft of head was just about right, just a little too much, unless you use a valve to back it off a touch.
If I made my drain 3/4", used a mag 7 (I will have about a 3 foot head), and also had a ball valve to regulate the pressure, I should be squared away?

I was going to do all of the following anyhow, with the exception of the 3/4 drain (I was going to use 1/2"), which I can just purchase another bit for.

[txstateunivreefer]

give me a few days im removing my submersable pump and putting my old closed loop pump in its place once i do that its yours for $ 25 its a viaaqua 3300

[ismvel]

Sounds good...let me know when you have your closed loop in place, I can meet you somewhere or run up there and grab it...

[Darth-Tater]

I have used Salty depot for all of my diamond tipped saws. They work real nice.

Tater

[ismvel]

I have used Salty depot for all of my diamond tipped saws. They work real nice.

Tater
Tater, I read on there from someone that the bits only last a couple of drills.....how many holes do you think I will be able to get out of the bit? I don't need many (3 - 4), but will order from again down the road.

[erikharrison]

First things first, better hope it's not tempered glass, as there are plenty of horror stories of it exploding. Second, I use a mag5 on mine and it works perfectly.

Marine Depot sells them here is a link (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~SearchStr~mag%20drive~action~view~idPr oduct~DN1123~idCategory~FIWPSBFT~category~Danner_M ag_Drive_Supreme_5_500_GPH_Water_Pump_Saltwater_Aq uarium_Supplies_Water_Pumps_Submersible_500_1000_G PH~vendor~.html)

[ismvel]

First things first, better hope it's not tempered glass, as there are plenty of horror stories of it exploding.

Thanks....I don't think it is tempered it is one of those cheap 20 gallons from PetCo during the sale....if it cracks whild drilling, i'll go find another cheap tank....just want something to look at from time to time....do you have powerheads in your tank, or is the 500 good enough? what size tank is yours?

[Darth-Tater]

I have drilled 4 holes so far. I am planing on drilling 3 more this weekend with the same saw. I love the price ,I love the product and I love his shipping at $1.50. It is well worth it.

Tater

[ismvel]

I love the price ,I love the product and I love his shipping at $1.50. It is well worth it.

Your right, the price is great...I paid $6.99 for my drill bit and he shipped it out the same day. And the thing is, shipping was free.

But after reading here and being at lowe's this afternoon, I realized that 1/2" is SMALL as sin....so I am thinking 3/4" may be the way to go...so I am thinking of doing 1 of 2 things.....

1. Order a new bit
2. Trade my brand new bit for the temporary use of someone's used bit so I can drill 3 - 4 holes and return it. And naturally they can keep my bit.

[matt]

You're going to drill and put in an overflow with a bulkhead, right/ You need to know what size hole you need for the size bulkhead you're installing. A 1" bulkhead requires something like a 1.75" hole. I would not use anything smaller than a 1" bulkhead for draining any tank. The bigger your hole is, the quieter the drain will be.

[ismvel]

Thanks Matt, yes I am aware that I need to get a bigger bit than the bulkhead....sites like Savko and Marine Depot provide those sizes for the bulkheads on their sites. And both Hobogato and BigBird explained that (the larger the hole, the more quiet it will be) to me when I saw met them this weekend.

[erikharrison]

Thanks....I don't think it is tempered it is one of those cheap 20 gallons from PetCo during the sale....if it cracks whild drilling, i'll go find another cheap tank....just want something to look at from time to time....do you have powerheads in your tank, or is the 500 good enough? what size tank is yours?

I just bought a 29g for my fuge, which is where my mag 5 resides. I have a 75g display, a single overflow that goes into my fuge, 3 hydor koralias (2 day 1 night) #4s (1200gph), and a CSS 220 skimmer :)

I am basically taking Bill's (bstreep) advice. He told me that to do alot of fish I need to export alot of nutrients, so yeah, lotta room for macro. I used a mag 5 (4' head) only because in a fuge you want slow flow. Also, my skimmer ROCKS. I have it overflowed into a 5 gallon bucket and it hangs on my fuge for maximum room in the fuge itself. I have a small cleanup crew in the 75, I have yet to find a spot where detritus builds up, so my crew is in the fuge.

I know it's a tad lengthy, but I want you to get an idea of my tank! :)