Todd's ~ 320 Gallon System- A New Biginning?

Looks great todd. The only thing I would change is cutting that blue millepora back some, it's a little too big. Then send the pieces to cocoa florida.

 

Heck, if he's distributing, I ll take on of each!! Very jelous.....

 

My thoughts: without the intake extension it wouldn't matter what depth in the tank the pump is. If it's lower in the tank the pressure on the intake would be higher due to downward pressure from the above water weight. When you raise the pump the intake side doesn't benefit from the extra pressure, therefore you haven't gained anything. You haven't lost anything either since there is less head pressure. In theory, any elevation you put the pump will result in the same overall flow. Essentially, the weight of the water on discharge side is weightless. The deeper you go, the more pressure on the intake...

 

By the way really nice tank. And some cool engineering. I'm jealous of both. Hope that makes you feel better.

 

Thanks for the compliment!
The coast to coast the way I did it was a little work. I had to:
measure and get the glass cut from a glass shop, Get the right/correct silicone adhesive,
Get it put in there right, silicone it on, etc.
The total surface skimming was worth it however.
I had bought a 180 like new/ but used that already had 2 holes that would fit 1.5" ID diameter bulkheads.
So instead of 3 holes like the bean animal, I used 2 and even in an emergency- it works fine.
I'm sure there are some threads about building C2C overflows.

If I had it to do all over again, I would set it up a little differently-
I would put a C2C closer to the back wall, drill at least 3 holes,
and then put a smaller, like 2-3 ft box on back and have the 2 or 3 drains like a Bean animal overflow.
This would give back some room lost on top, and still give youe C3C skimming.

The whole thing including all parts and silicone was very inexspensive.

 

awesome ! great job.

 

I agree with some of what you say. But shortening the length of the return and elevating it some should increase the flow to the tank.- The more I look at it now, it did actually increase the flow slightly.
The extension on the intake is really just to keep it from sucking air, now that it's closer to the surface of the sump. The pump itself is still underwater.
If I raised the pump out of the water, and it had to pull water to it, then I agree with your statements. I cold put the pump right under the DT, but if it had to 'pull' water to it, the flow would not be increased- actually I theorize it would even decrease some.

Thanks for the compliments! I was feeling OK, but thanks, it always helps anyways ;-)

Thanks Chum! Chum?

 

Thanks for the C2C info Todd. The tank i got is not drilled so i can go with whatever option i choose. I assume that drilling a tank with glass this thick is no more difficult than any other one? I bottom drilled a 150 gal tank but this seems way thicker! I think my build plan will take longer than the build itself! Your thread is giving me lots of good ideas. Thanks!

 

A few Random pictures of some of my Corals:

Pearlberry


Valydia


Birds of Paradise


Green Poci


Top Down Rose Milli


Select Top down of my huge Bali Green Slimer


Thru the glass Blu Milli


Top Down with the intank power heads off of my Blue Milli

 

Some of my less pic'd corals,
My Orange Digi- From MIke M


FrogskinTort- Spaz Next time I"ll lite it with my flashlight, it's kinda leaning a bit and shadowed on the front side


Oregon Tort from Spaz


Not sure I"ve ever taken any posted any pics of my Zoas, I only really have 3 types- growing well.
This was labeled 'Peach Zoanthids' at BF over 2 years ago


My Eagle Eyes, and my Purple Deaths- from Norg


That's all I'll pummel you with today,
Thanks for looking and lmk what you think,
Todd