Building custom tank, question about external overflow & return

[Grahamstyle77]

Hey all!

So, as the title says I am having a custom tank built and wanting the community input on a couple details since this is new to me.

I currently have a 50 gallon tank and will be building an 80 gallon. I'm not building it actually, being built for me and they will drill the holes to my specs.

This is my dilemma, I don't know what will work best. The tank will be 32x24x24. I am planning an external overflow. I was thinking of an eshopps eclipse box, but not sure which size. The medium is 800 gallons, the large 1000 gallons. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/eclipse-l-overflow-box-1000-gph-eshopps.html I'm not planning a particularly fast turnover in the sump but want to make sure it's enough. The medium says good for up to 100 gallons but not sure how accurate that is. Also no idea which would be quieter.

A couple months ago my return pump died and I upgraded to a reef octopus varios 2. So I plan to use that on this new tank since it's only a couple months old. I currently run it at a power setting of 2. I just have 1 return on my 50 gallon cube, but planning to have 2 returns drilled . 1 on either side of the external overflow. So utilizing this pump, which can use either 1 inch pvc, or 1/2 or 3/4 inch stepper barb I need to know which size returns to run. I'm fairly certain I'll need to run it a little higher than 2 but that's fine.

So thoughts on what size overflow box and what size return lines to drill? I will greatly appreciate the help! Thanks.

 

[Seawitch]

@garbled @4FordFamily #reefsquad what do you think?

 

[joec]

I have the Eshopps Eclipse S on a 53G. It works well with a little tweeking. It's fairly quiet and well built, not silent. The Medium would be plenty big enough for your 80G. The large has had some bowing issues over time, or so I've read

Use one gasket on each side of the glass, do not follow their intructions


When I set up my 75G at some point, I'm going to buy a Modular Marine, google them,

 

[JoshH]

I think the questions your asking are something that's best left for you to answer for yourself. What are your goals for flow in your sump? I'll second the modular marine overflow. I don't own one but they have excellent reviews, you can also look at the reef savvy ghost overflow but it's rather large for your system although it will give you a nice wide surface skim. You could also ask your builder to build an external overflow, this would let you customize the overflow itself and it provides a nice sleek look with nothing protruding into the tank itself. Your Varios 2 realistically will pump out 4-500 GPH with the head height your working with. So you can keep this in mind when you size your overflow. Most overflows will handle that with no problem. As for return pipe size, I would stick around the 1 inch - 1 1/4" pipe size (Dual 1 inch would be more than enough and if you wanted to upgrade your flow down the road it would be more than enough). This will give you the best flow rates possible with your varios:)

 

[nereefpat]

I would get the large model for the overflow. It has more surface skimming area. And it has three drains instead of two, so you can run a Bean system instead of a Herbie.

Returns are more a personal preference. I would probably drill for a 3/4" bulkhead on both sides of the overflow for returns, assuming the overflow is in the middle.

 

[Grahamstyle77]

Correct, overflow will be in the middle. The larger size was the way I was leaning myself for the surface skimming. I hadn't heard of modular marine so I will look them up, thanks for the tip. The tank builder will not make an overflow box they will only drill the holes. I have to provide them with the template of what I choose.

I think I'm most confused on the return size mostly. I just don't know plumbing fluid dynamics enough to make an educated decision about what size return to have on either side of the overflow.

 

[joec]

Correct, overflow will be in the middle. The larger size was the way I was leaning myself for the surface skimming. I hadn't heard of modular marine so I will look them up, thanks for the tip. The tank builder will not make an overflow box they will only drill the holes. I have to provide them with the template of what I choose.

I think I'm most confused on the return size mostly. I just don't know plumbing fluid dynamics enough to make an educated decision about what size return to have on either side of the overflow.

Two 3/4" returns is more than enough for that tank, dont overthink it.

 

[4FordFamily]

Whooo this is way over my head, @HotRocks does all my handy work because about all I can do with these things is run my mouth! :D Looks like you are in good hands above :)

 

[Brew12]

Agree that 2 of the 3/4" returns are plenty.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Here's my thought process....

I just installed the M in a 55 gallon tank this past week.

What was noted is that the sawteeth don't go all the way up to the top edge of the weir. The concern is that even mounted flush up against the plastic tank frame, the waterline would still be visible, below the lower edge of the plastic frame. So if you go with the smaller overflow, the water level will be slightly higher....and that's why I'd go with the smaller of the two. And FYI, the drain pipes are 1 inch, and if you go with a Herbie, it's really only one drain, while the second is an emergency drain.

If your tank has a plastic frame, I'd highly recommend mounting the inside sawtooth part flush up to the frame. So don't simply use the drill guide by putting it up to the outside edge of the plastic frame. Take the guide and put it flush up against the lip inside the tank and use a Sharpie to draw the circle. Now use the guide on the outside of the tank (and now upside down) to line up the Sharpie hole with the guide, and a hair down (to make sure the inside part fits.) Now drill! :D :cool:

 

[Grahamstyle77]

Thanks for the suggestions all. I'm going to go with a modular marine overflow, thanks for turning me on to them. Had never heard of them before but a very nice design. Also going to use 2 of the 3/4 for the return lines.

I appreciate all the help!