I guess I'm looking for acknowledgment in this thread (sorry i do this when I'm tired/drunk)

I'm setting up a double 55 (one 55 plumbed to another) one being the prop tank the other being a display 'fuge.

The tanks will be no more then 3 feet above the other, I want at least 15x turn over and closer to 20x realistically. to do that I'm thinking I need a return pump that can do 1000-1200 gph, with really rough math. If i go with a 1200gph pump or larger, I would maybe split the return to spread out the flow, which is just smarter for a healthier tank in the first place. or is it better to have lower flow return since I also have two Korallia3's? Im always saying more flow but is there such thing as too much return?

I'm totally paranoid about ruining these tanks, I've had one for almost 9 years and the other for almost 3. If i where to get a bit to drill glass is there a huge chance (as unskilled as I am with tools) that I could ruin the tank drilling holes for bulkheads?) If this is a possibility I'll proly have to bribe some one from FRAG with beer and pizza maybe?

I have a hard time knowing what diameter I would need to drill, I want lots of flow, so 3/4"-1" bulkheads 1" below the rim? It's hard for me to know since I have never done a larger reef with more then just HOB stuff. I'm sure bulkheads have a lot to do with return flow, so if anyone has some sort of formula or set of 'rules' that could help me out that would be great.

I think i had more questions when i first started writing so i might update some time tomorrow.

im now willing to do real diy's now that i've put in some time with reefing. if someone has great ideas for diy options over prefabricated, im all for it.

3/4" for return lines. 1" for drain lines. Bulkheads for 3/4" need 1 1/2" holes and 1" needs 1 3/4" holes. In general:
90' angle == 2' of head loss
45' angle == 1.5' of head loss
Gate valve == 1.5' of head loss
Ball valve == 1.5' of head loss
Union == 1' of head loss

So if you had (2 x 90' fittings) + (2 x 45' fittings) + (2 x ball valves) + (4 x unions) your head loss would be... 14 feet. So you would need a return pump that can pump 1,200 gph at 14' of head height.

A 1" drain line has a maximum drain capacity of 600 gph. This is reduced if you have any 90 or 45 fittings as well as valves.

Drill two drain lines for each tank to be safe. Use ball valves on each to control drain line flow and to shut it off if you need to do something to the pipes/tank. Use unions as well so you can remove the pipe for cleaning etc.

Same deal on the return. Use unions as well as a gate valve on the output end to control rate of flow back to the tank and a union and ball valve on the intake to shut off flow into the pump (if its external) so you can shut off the pump for maintenance.

im plumbing one above the other if that changes anything.

With the two drain lines, would it mater, beyond reducing flow rate, to join them? It would be to keep things cleaner back there.

Would the two drain lines have to be staggered or is that a personal choice?

your post helped me out a ton already thanks!

first

flow = depth + size

http://www.grow.arizona.edu/Grow--GrowReso...?ResourceId=188

say thank you to him when you figure out who he (wet) is nowadays
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...=19572&st=0

read tigahboys drain thread yes the hole dam thing.
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=69372


second

drilling this can be done a couple diffrint ways (speakin of drinkin sorry bout the typos)
drill with hole saw or dremil with spiffy cramic/glass bit for ripping through tile.
cant remember who had the most resent thread just search dremills or such and shoulod come with lot of stuff. also practice on cheep replacment planes for picture frams from home depot/lowes. keep the hole at least the diamiter of the hole from any other edge.


go herbie style for safty, and use good silicone like ge 1200 or dow 999 not somethhing with mildew treatment this will kill your fish.

thats looks awesome at midnight, i'll have to see how much better it will be when i can take in that info... cept fer the math, i hate math.

love the math, the math makes it go.

i saw glass hole bits for drills (kinda pricey if you ask me) versus the dremil bits. do they need to be exact or is free handing the hole a bad idea?

check glass-holes.com they have video

someone had a good tutoral for doing the drem on here but cant rember for the life of me probably rember while on vacation and not be able to do anything bout it till i get back then forget aging. may have been madera but not sure. read it for giggles in the last week or so. ill look.

its maeda my bad (typo)

thread
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...=148117&hl=

some of the pic are gone but ehhh... still a thread by diy guru.