best place to put the inlet and outlet lines

hey peeps!

ill be starting a new build of a four and a half foot aquarium and i really stuck on where the best place it to put the inlet and outlet lines for the sump. this will be my first build so i want to get it all right! is there any special place to put them to maximize good filtation?

as for my aquascaping, the tank will be viewed from the front and left pannel so i was thinking of making the reef come from the right back corner in sort of a triangle pattern

any advise would be great
thanks!

 

congrats on the new build!

Personally, I'm not sure there is a good vs. bad place for your overflow and return lines. I've always liked the corner overflows with the returns pointed toward the opposite corner of the tank, rather than center as it seems to disrupt the tank less from an aesthetics POV.

For filtration, I think it mostly depends on water movement and minimizing dead spots. As long as the detritus stays in suspension long enough for it to go over the overflow, I don't think placement will matter that much.

 

I always thought it would be a good idea is to have your overflow box on one side and the return on the other side so the water flow makes a loop, One thing not possible with reef ready kits. Sorry for repeating if that's what you were trying to say astrick117. But other wise he's right, it doesn't matter as long as there's no dead spots and flows everywhere.

 

Two things

1. Simulate the ocean as much as possible. If you can get a wave motion that ebs and flows. Then go for random turbulent motion or chaotic motion by having multiple currents conflicting. Avoid linier flow that does not switch up after so long like a current or tide coming in for a while and out for a while.

2. with the drain just make sure there are no eddies that keep the surface water from getting skimmed. You shouldn't have to worry about this much