help with tank design

[dartfrog]

So I want to get a tank made with a center/island overflow. I want to have two holes for the drain and two for the returns. The over all dimensions of the tank will be 48L x 30W x 24H. It will be a mixed reef. How big should the holes be drilled? I'm thinking of making the overflow offset so the column is not in the dead center. Any thoughts on this? I'm going to use an MRC 36" sump/refugium and one of their skimmers (unsure of model yet). I'd like to use a SCWD for the return for a little wave action.
http://www.marinedepot.com/SCWD_Wavemaker_Switching_Current_Water_Director_(Squid)_1_inch_External_Wavemakers_for_Aquariums-3IQ_Ventures-3Q1111-FIWMEW-3Q1113-vi.html">http://www.marinedepot.com/SCWD_Wavemaker_Switching_Current_Water_Director_(Squid)_1_inch_External_Wavemakers_for_Aquariums-3IQ_Ventures-3Q1111-FIWMEW-3Q1113-vi.html</a>

Any advice/suggestions/thoughts are wanted. Nothing is set in stone, as I'm just in the planning stages. Thanks.
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[lilrobb]

The SCWD will not create a wave - just random flow.

If the island look is desired for the tank - how will the lighting be powered?
If you don't want a cord from the ceiling make the overflow box 5 holes, one for conduit!

 

[dartfrog]

Oh, I could use some guidence on pump size, too. I'll have really no place for powerheads, as I don't want any wires on the outside, so any ideas on flow would be helpful also.
Thanks.

 

[lilrobb]

Bottom drilled closed loop off an OM 4way and a dart...

 

[dartfrog]

how will the lighting be powered?

Most likely I'll put an outlet in the cieling, I'm not going to have a canopy and I'll probably hang the lights. I hadn't thought of using a 5th hole for conduit, and I like it, but I think that would work/look best with a canopy(which I haven't ruled out)

 

[dartfrog]

I'm unfamiliar with the plumbing of closed loop setup. When a closed loop is used do you still need the returns, Or is it seperate from sump plumbing altogether?

 

[dartfrog]

Bottom drilled closed loop off an OM 4way and a dart

Not to be a PITA...but could you explain this more? I know a dart is a pump, but what is OM 4way?

 

[weaglereefer]

A closed loop is separate from drain/return. You have an intake, run to an external pump, then return to the tank. The OM 4-way is an Ocean Motions 4-way. It diverts the flow to different outlets and switches them around to create chaotic flow.

 

[dartfrog]

So I just did some reading on the Ocean Motions website. Very cool product, but my project just got more expensive! On their forum there were some people using the OM-4 plumbed to the sump return pump. Does anyone see any disadvantages of doing it this way? It would save some money, by only buying one pump.

 

[smoothie]

Best to keep them seperate. A closed loop is used to get alot of flow in many areas of the tank using one pump and to keep the inside of the tank looking clean. Best to have 2 inlets(holes drilled or elbows over the top) screened off to maximize the pumps potential by giving it more water and more opportunity to pull water in case of blockage.
Water returning=the more points of return the merrier. Also you can always move locline and redirect flow for dead spots

 

[dartfrog]

Ok thanks for the info, guess I'll just have to save some more $. I was going to have two overflows going to the sump. Could I use one of them for the CL, or I should I have two inlets for the CL and one for the sump? Or would it be best to have the CL inlets on risers, coming from the bottem panel of glass, independant and outside of the overflow box? Thanks again.

 

[smoothie]

Use the 2 for the tank sump returns as intended. If you don't want to drill anymore holes in it simply go over the top of the tank with a pvc elbow for the CL.

 

[dartfrog]

Thanks, the idea is to keep it a clean look, since the tank will be freestanding.

 

[jennm]

We put in an Oceans Motions device in a client's tank at her request. Eventually the device failed (if it gets any sand in it, it's over, and her CLS was drilled into the bottom). Now she just runs the CLS with pump wide open, no alternating device.

I wasn't impressed with the device - save the $$.

JMHO
Jenn

 

[dartfrog]

Originally my plan was to have one central overflow, with two durso type drains and two returns, both of them split with lock-line. Possibly adding one MP-40 on one end of the tank. Do you think this would provide enough flow. The more I add up the cost of a closed loop with OM it is getting expensive! I really wanna keep it an island type tank, viewable from all sides, but keeping it a clean look, might be putting it out of my price range.

 

[weaglereefer]

No, don't think that'd be enough flow.

I think for a clean look, you're gonna have to have a canopy.

 

[dartfrog]

I think for a clean look, you're gonna have to have a canopy.

I'm beginning to see your point. but i'm starting to think this design might be out of my price range. Working on getting pricing for some things now, but might have to go with anouther design to keep costs down...Peninsula type might be less costly and easier to hide equiptment/cords. Anybody have any thoughts on this?