New 35G cube build

[Njdevils1220]

I recently found myself unhappy with my current cube and have decided to upgrade some and go a route I should have all along. The new tank will be a 35G DeepBlue non drilled that I will be installing a single drain 700GPH GlassHoles internal overflow kit. The stand is custom built by me as well as the conduit light hanger. The list of equipment I currently have to swap over is as follows:
-Skimmer: Aquamaxx HOB-1, its not an in sump model but its 3 months old so I will use it for a while since it works so great as a HOB model.
-GFO Reactor: TLF reactor just tumbling GFO
-Sump: will be a DIY 10G, no fuge.
-Light: SB Reef Lights 265W, yes it's technically a black box but its been redesigned with a purposeful spectrum by a guy in FL.

Future Plans: I will be using about 40lbs of fiji pink sand as well as 50lbs Reef Cleaners dry rock. After the tank cycles I will swap over my current livestock as well as some new additions I have on a wishlist. This tank is supposed to be a simple, clean, and colorful learning project with as much DIY as possible.

**I would love for some input on how I should plumb the overflow to the sump to be as silent as possible, it is a single drain design as well as recommendations for return pumps as this is my first sump setup ever.** Any other advice or tips is welcome!

 

[redfishbluefish]

Looking good. Those dimensional lumber stands are beasts! So overbuilt, it will easily handle the 35 gallon DT.

As far as an overflow, I'm familiar with Glass-Holes and I'm thinking THIS 700 gph kit. But I am concerned having a 1 1/2 inch pipe with that relatively thin glass. Lets see if someone else has suggestions....maybe [HASHTAG]#reefsquad[/HASHTAG] .

 

[Njdevils1220]

I did not even think about the glass thickness being an issue.

 

[Diesel]

I would never ever do a single drain on a tank, even a sink or bathtub has a emergency overflow.
I have this on my 30G softie that is tucked away in the fragroom http://premiumaquatics.com/products/elite-aquatics-2-drain-overflow-removable-weir-teeth.html
Almost a Ghost but CTC all the way and I have a extra for a emergency overflow, you never know with these small tanks.
Most of all it's super quiet

 

[Njdevils1220]

Well now the concern has just arisen of the glass thickness. I think the sides are only 1/4 thick glass. Should I be worried about drilling this and installing an overflow?

 

[redfishbluefish]

No concern about drill, but about the torque a length of pipe will have on the glass. My overflow is in 1/2 inch glass, and I still have the pipes clamped to eliminate any torquing of the glass. I'd ask the Glass-Holes folks what they think...they are very responsive and helpful guys.

Now, as far as @Diesel , I can't argue with you as far as another option for an overflow for the OP's tank, but I can disagree with your assessment of sinks and tubs and a single pipe on an overflow.

You state sinks and tubs have an emergency overflow....but that goes to the same SINGLE drain pipe. That overflow only protects the immediate drain hole from being stopped, and the water having a place to go....down the same single pipe it normally would go down. As far as single piped overflows, when you have quarter inch saw teeth on the overflow, and a 1 1/2 inch drain pipe, please show me what is going to get into that single pipe to block it up....maybe 500 to 1000 baby blowfish that, once through the saw teeth, simultaneously do there blow-up thing! Have had a Glass-Holes since 2008 and never had any blockage issues.

Again, my main point is a second option for the OP, and not an argument.

 

[Njdevils1220]

The guys at glass holes told me to use 1.5 inch ultra flex with a strap. Not sure where to strap it though? The line will run down roughly 2FT before entering the stand and then another foot inside the stand into the sump? Here is a quick picture of the back of the stand. The red circle and arrow is a strip of wood above the opening where the plumbing will enter the stand at. Should I clam the line to the stand where the red arrow is or does it need to be clamped up higher? The tank is 20 inches tall and if I am guessing the pipe will enter into the tank at around 16-17 inches. The other option I have besides drilling the tank is using an external overflow box which I do already have used from Eshopps.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Here's the back of my tank...during the build....and I used plastic conduit clamps with stainless steel screws. This is a 1500 gph Glass Holes with two 1 1/2 inch drains.

 

[Njdevils1220]

Alright so yeah I can definitely put a strap like that on the back of my stand. The strap would come into play around 17 inches from where the piping starts to come out of the tank. Do you think that would be sufficient and reliable?

 

[redfishbluefish]

Yes...but make sure there is no torque on the bulkhead. That is, use spacers under the clamps if you have to, to eliminate torque.

 

[Njdevils1220]

What are you defining as torque?

 

[redfishbluefish]

As you add length to the pipe and now put pressure on it....like a lever...it applies pressure back to the bulkhead and the glass it is attached to. You need to minimize any pressures back to the glass.

 

[Njdevils1220]

So i just need to take away that levering action by spacing the piping away from bowing inward towards the stand right above where it enters the stand at like in your pic and where I circled it in mine. Is using vinyl tubing going to be less pressure than pvc would since it has a more flexible nature? If so is it possible to achieve a near silent drain using vinyl or spa flex?

 

[Njdevils1220]

Overflow kit has been ordered!

 

[Njdevils1220]

50LBS of cured dry rock from reef cleaners has been ordered! What should I do with the LR from the current 27G? I wish I could use it however I do not trust taking anything from my current setup and putting it in the new tank. I want everything to be pure. The only things being transferred are my fish and corals which will be dipped. One of the rocks also has a lot of green star polyp taking over and I am not sure if I want that in the new tank since it grows like a weed.

 

[Njdevils1220]

Alright long over due update! Tank is up and running with 40lbs live Fiji pink sand and 50lbs dry rock. Here it is cycling! Should I keep the rock this way or change it? I plan to have lots of corals and at least one rose bulb so I'm trying to envision it complete.

 

[Njdevils1220]

Update. Tank is finished cycling. All of my livestock has been transferred from my old system along with some new additions!

 

[Njdevils1220]

So the tank has been up and running for a few months now so I figured I would become active again and post an update. I recently sold my Aquamaxx HOB skimmer and bought the Icecap K2-50 Internal skimmer by Coralvue.
I am still working on dialing in my light to the corals liking.

 

[Jonweb]

I am doing a very similar build with my 35g Deep blue as well. I am curious what you went with for the hole size and double or single over flow as well as which overflow you used.

 

[Njdevils1220]

I am doing a very similar build with my 35g Deep blue as well. I am curious what you went with for the hole size and double or single over flow as well as which overflow you used.

I used a glass holes single hole overflow kit. I would suggest getting a two hole overflow kit as running a herbie setup would be much, much quieter than a single drain. I dont remember the hole size. Whatever kit you go with I would just use whatever standard hole they use.