Hey guys,
Just yesterday I got my new tank system (an ACA 80-gallon) in the mail. Despite it being described as plug and play, it's missing some components (mostly rubber hose and clamps) and has basically no installation instructions. I'm not a total newbie - I DIY'ed my first tank (poorly) some years ago. Anyway, I have some questions regarding overflow.
The tank's overflow box is pre-drilled with three one-inch diameter openings, and comes with three bulkheads. The pre-cut plumbing bits include a crudely-made Durso, the return pipes, and a weird little capped off stub. The last appears to have no use whatsoever. I am guessing it is there because newbs would just friction fit that into the third bulkhead and not really use it. But if I have a third available bulkhead I want to do something with it.
One possibility is to do an Animal Bean overflow, which I'm confident I can put together. The issue is since that takes three bulkheads I'd be forced to have my return come up over the back of the tank. That's not a big deal to me personally, I've done it before. But there are some drawbacks. One its a lot messier if something fails with the return, since water will be spurting all over my floor instead of inside the overflow box. I could loop it up and over back into the return box and hide some of the parts, but it means I'll have to cut a big notch in the fitted acrylic lid I purchased. The biggest downside though is I have an old HOB refugium which would fit on the back of the tank perfectly (and needs only a few minor repairs), which I would then be able to use.
Thus I'm considering ignoring the Durso entirely and going Herbie instead. I've heard they are a bit noisier, but the tank is in the dining room, so it won't be a huge issue. Plus I know they are much safer. Thoughts?
Just yesterday I got my new tank system (an ACA 80-gallon) in the mail. Despite it being described as plug and play, it's missing some components (mostly rubber hose and clamps) and has basically no installation instructions. I'm not a total newbie - I DIY'ed my first tank (poorly) some years ago. Anyway, I have some questions regarding overflow.
The tank's overflow box is pre-drilled with three one-inch diameter openings, and comes with three bulkheads. The pre-cut plumbing bits include a crudely-made Durso, the return pipes, and a weird little capped off stub. The last appears to have no use whatsoever. I am guessing it is there because newbs would just friction fit that into the third bulkhead and not really use it. But if I have a third available bulkhead I want to do something with it.
One possibility is to do an Animal Bean overflow, which I'm confident I can put together. The issue is since that takes three bulkheads I'd be forced to have my return come up over the back of the tank. That's not a big deal to me personally, I've done it before. But there are some drawbacks. One its a lot messier if something fails with the return, since water will be spurting all over my floor instead of inside the overflow box. I could loop it up and over back into the return box and hide some of the parts, but it means I'll have to cut a big notch in the fitted acrylic lid I purchased. The biggest downside though is I have an old HOB refugium which would fit on the back of the tank perfectly (and needs only a few minor repairs), which I would then be able to use.
Thus I'm considering ignoring the Durso entirely and going Herbie instead. I've heard they are a bit noisier, but the tank is in the dining room, so it won't be a huge issue. Plus I know they are much safer. Thoughts?
