Finally Ready to Ask Some Questions (Plumbing & Drilling

[lhoy]

Just a quick note on my background. In 1990 I bought a 55 gallon DAS in Oklahoma City. Moved it three times (twice maintained setup) and after moving to Georgetown, TX from Southwest Austin in 1999 I never set it back up, but kept it in storage.

On a side note, the DAS intank filter would give you a great tank for about 6 months and then hair algae became a problem. I recently had to break out the filter (was glass and glued in) and talk about a tedious undertaking. However, once I got to the bottom of the filter I know what would happen. There is an incredible amount of gunk that built up under areas that were impossible to reach to clean out. Talk about a nitrate factory, looking forward to the sump/refugium route with this tank.

I recently restained this tank and will be taking it to Fin Addicts for resealing and possibly for drilling (if I get up the courage may buy a bit and do it myself).




I also bought Jerry's (6-Line) 75 Gallon tank and finally finished my reef room.



My starter questions are:

1.) Is it better to use threaded or slip bulkheads? Any one tend to have a higher leak % than the other?

2.) The 75 Gallon cannot be drilled on the bottom so can I use a durso with a drain on the back of a tank? If you had to drill your drain on the back of the tank would you go calfo overflow and drain or durso?

3.) Plan to use closed loop with both tanks and just wondering how many holes you can drill in the back of a tank (not bottom) and not compromise the integrity of the tank? Is four okay?

I have spent weeks reading the MAAST forum, Reef Central, and Nano-Reef forums (plus Melev's site to no end). I want to say thanks for all the great info and endless hours of reading that have drawn me away from any other productive aspect of life. ;)

As I get money, I will be looking for someone (Pete?) to build sump/refugiums for the 55 and 75 and possibly the caflo overflow and/or corner overflow box.

Here are pictures of the reef room (before and after):





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And a couple of mediocre shots of my 2.5 nano:



{Check out the pods on the shell!!}







Thanks in advance and enjoy.

Also, plan to go with T5 lighting to reduce heat problems and I like

Lee

P.S. also will send payment for my membership!!!

[::pete::]

1.) Is it better to use threaded or slip bulkheads? Any one tend to have a higher leak % than the other?

I prefer threaded as you can take them off if needed(plumbing).

2.) The 75 Gallon cannot be drilled on the bottom so can I use a durso with a drain on the back of a tank? If you had to drill your drain on the back of the tank would you go calfo overflow and drain or durso?

I love my Calfo!

3.) Plan to use closed loop with both tanks and just wondering how many holes you can drill in the back of a tank (not bottom) and not compromise the integrity of the tank? Is four okay?

The less the better ... you could always go up and over.

[Henry]

My starter questions are:

1.) Is it better to use threaded or slip bulkheads? Any one tend to have a higher leak % than the other?


I would also recommend threaded, for the above stated reason, with the use of teflon tape.


2.) The 75 Gallon cannot be drilled on the bottom so can I use a durso with a drain on the back of a tank? If you had to drill your drain on the back of the tank would you go calfo overflow and drain or durso?

calfo all the way, but one without teeth.

3.) Plan to use closed loop with both tanks and just wondering how many holes you can drill in the back of a tank (not bottom) and not compromise the integrity of the tank? Is four okay?

i would probably do two or three but none along the very middle of the back(vertical), and also plumb over the top.

[lhoy]

Pete,

First, thanks for the quick response. I have read many of your posts, your website, and your work. Before finding MAAST, I thought I would have Melev construct my sumps, but then I found your work. Very nice.

Can you build a calfo in black acrylic? Would two drains in the calfo work well on a 75? Unfortunately, I can't do a calfo on the 55 due to the way a DAS tank is constructed, however, the bottom can be drilled.

What info do you need to construct a sump/refugium? I am assuming the dimensions of the stand, fact I want an external pump to reduce heating the tank (is that true?), and what type of skimmer (actually thinking of going skimmerless)? What else?

Thanks,

Lee

[::pete::]

Your welcome and thank you. Yes I have and as henry said no teeth. Yup measurements ;)

You do know what is in that last picture ... yes?

[lhoy]

Yea, the flatworm of the good variety. I checked my book on inverts by Sprung as soon as I saw them.

Will get you measurements of the 75 Gallon tank and stand soon so you can build the calfo (is one long one better or two shorter ones with a center brace?).

Thanks,

Lee