Flow in my nano
 

So while I still have the option of how I'm going to be drilling my 29 gallon, i thought i'd ask some questions:

now i already know I'm going with a herbie overflow, but i can't decide what to do for the return.

here's a few options i've been thinking of. please comment on which you think would work best

P.S. the black thing with holes in it is the overflow box, and the red is a powerhead

p.s.s. the differences in the overflow boxes mean nothing, i just suck at paint

overflow1:
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/h.../overflow1.jpg
overflow2:
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/h.../overflow5.jpg
overflow3:
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/h.../overflow4.jpg
overflow4:
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/h.../overflow3.jpg
overflow5:
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/h.../overflow2.jpg

anyone got any input?

I'm no overflow expert, heck I don't even know what a herbie is.

What I can say about nano circulation is consider the rebounds. Maximize your total tank circulation by aiming the returns and powerheads into the corners or sides of the tank for a rebound effect. Because all four sides of a tank are never more than 24 inches from each other you can bounce the flow from one return almost completely back to where it started creating a nice rolling action of flow.

http://snaz.com/marine/flo.gif
Imagine a powerhead mounted at the front of the tank(1) mid way down aimed up towards the back wall. The water flows across full length of tank and creates nice surface agitation as it hits high the back of the tank(2) and rebounds again into front corner (3) for more surface agitation and finally washes down the front of the tank(4) back towards the powerhead. A nice loop with just one stream.

Koralia Nanos are great, low wattage and thus low heat for maximum thrust.

I would go with a 'closed loop' style return through the bottom of the tank... option 3 looked good to me, that way you can hide the returns and the associated equipment.

Are you planning a closed loop, or are those returns from the sump?

i'd put the closed loop on the back wall as opposed to the bottom, unless you get it tempered...most likely you'll not run into problems, but tank makers quite often suggest thicker than normal or tempered when doing a close loop...unless it is acrylic...which i can't remember ...or i forgot to read the whole thread :0

haha, its just the return from the sump, but i don't really want any powerheads in the tank or anything.
also a closed loop would probably add too much flow for the corals i want to keep.
Oh, and its a glass tank

Duh...its an already assembled tank :)
I think you'll want a powerhead or two, for the flow you need going through the sump, you'd have to get a big sump to be able to utilize flow like that. I had a dart for a return on my big tank...full bore...but my sump is 8 feet long and it was no problem.

hmm.. well i think i'll get an about 700-1000GPH pump and then put a gate valve on the outlet so i can tone it down , and then add a powerhead if needed

Hi karazy,

Why not have your main drain, backup drain, and return all inside your overflow box? I am building a similar setup next week (stand is built, tank is drilled), just need to finish the acrylic work. Going to have the return come through the side of the overflow, and into a loc-line Y with two duckbills. 3/4" pipe. I'll post pictures once its done :)

Actually, I'll +1 that... I thought of that but it wasn't one of the offered options :wink: