120 Gallon build thread -- building stage!

Also, I think (3) 1-Inch holes for overflow and (2) 3/4's, just as exactlyobp did it, should suffice for a 120 gallon tank right?

What is the best way to determine the distance from the top of the tank for both Overflow as well as return?


I've done all this before YEARS ago, but was kind of "winging it" at that point.. I was a lot more confident when the tank itself wasn't bought brand new for $350....

want to do this one right though, more than once have I set something up and just "figured it out later", not going to happen on this one.....

 

On my 180, I went with 1.5" bulkheads for the drains, and 1" for my returns. The drains are overkill, the siphon has to be shut almost all the way to keep it from gurgling. I plan on upgrading my return pump in the near future to something with more flow. I have a rio hf20 (from the 90 I upgraded).

As far as the height of the holes, I bought the bulkheads, put an elbow on the bulkhead, and measured. I went with a 6" tall overflow, so I left about 1/2" from the bottom of the elbow to the overflow box. Does that make sense? I will post some pictures this weekend.
Matt

 

I have a Photobucket account, just like everyone else. Upload pics on it, wrap around the image url with code. Very easy.

Ok, there is a whole thread dedicated about drilling I want you to read thru

Yup with my set up, 3x 1" holes will handle up to 2,000 gallon/hour so I was told, you got a lot of wiggle room.

Try to drill the return holes as top as possible to minimize the drain back to the sump during the power failure or routine maintenance. As far as the drain holes go, it shouldnt really matter, since they are gonna be behind the overflow weir. Make sure you follow the distance rule in the thread above too.

You have to determine the size of the overflow box after you drill the holes, at least thats what i did. Drill three holes, put all the bulk heads in place (the main, the secondary, and the emergency), then measure. Draw lines on the tank, they made it easier for me. Measure again. Dont forget to include the thickness of the glass panes themselves when you take measurement (I went with 1/4" thickness). When you are at a glass shop, make sure you tell them what the purpose of them, and they have to be exact size of what you're ordering.

This might shed some light?

 

Here is mine:







It's up and running now, if you need more pics or specifics, let me know.
Matt

 

Looking good Matt! Id love to see more!! You can always start your own build thread to show off too.

 

Looking good indeed!

I just purchased a 40 gallon breeder from Petco ($40). Tanks are in, now the real work starts


Stupid question perhaps, how do the 2 upside-down overflows kick in once they're dry?

 

Ok hold on.

I followed every single direction on Bean site pretty much and I was reading thru it just now. My bulkheads are 1", but from the sanitary T down, its 1.5". I just remember that you can't find 1" sanitary T anywhere. And one thing to remember tho, that try to use thread parts if you have the option instead of slip. Makes your reefing life a lot easier.

Nice, congrats!

Oh you have to see how it operates yourself! Its amazing. lol

 

It's pretty cool how it works. On a side note, when I hooked up my full siphon drain, it kept bubbling in the sump. Turns out you need to set the drain so its right below the surface of the water. After I fixed that, it ran flawlessly. Here's a current pic of my sump. That's a 40b by the way.

 

Alright... so there's no way back now!

In house:
- 120 gallon tank
- 40 gallon tank

Placed a BRS order yesterday for:
- 5 stage ro/di system (75gpd)
- (2) Single BRS Reactors
- (3) 1" Bulkhead Schedule 80 (Thread x Thread)
- (2) 3/4" Bulkhead Schedule 80 (Thread x Thread)
- 48 MM Diamond Coated Glass Drill Bit
- 42 MM Diamond Coated Glass Drill Bit
- (2) NPT Connector for 3/4" Loc-Line Modular Hose
- (2) 3/4" Loc-Line Modular Hose (6 Segments)
- (2) 3" Flare Nozzle for 3/4" Loc-Line Modular Hose
- 1/2 Gallon BRS Bulk Premium Rox 0.8 Carbon
- 1/2 Gallon (2 LBS) - BRS Bulk GFO
- BRS Filter Sock Mount
- BRS Felt Filter Sock with Plastic Ring 7"x16"


Too bad their refractometers were out of stock!

Now I just need the remainder of the standard plumbing parts (home depot) and I need to find a local place that can cut 1/4" glass for the c2c overflow and sump baffles..

 

So I did read through the entire article/page you gave me, it's very interesting and genius really.. I have yet to really figure out the physics behind the 2 (primary) siphons, particularly on how it kicks-off at first..

I will get all the white PVC parts at home depot later (1" pipe, 1.5"/1" bushing, 1.5" sanitary-tee, etc. etc,.. I have the list from beananimal )

I am going to go "slip" on most joints, as I trust it more, but the following will be put in place to make my life easier:
- Bulkhead = Threaded on both sides, so i can remove/replace if needed, without too much hassle..
- I will add a True Union on each pipe for easy assembly/cleanup

I don't care so much for the possible future expense as I do for easy of maintenance, so I will also get slip union's


Other than that, I think I finally went from the "arrgh, I'm kinda lost!" feeling to the "Eureka!, I've got it!!!" feeling