Go

[Arty Morty]

Hey ho,

Here is the deal.
My 130g tank has 3 holes drilled into the bottom. all are 1". I was thinking that one could be a drain to my sump (with a pvc riser) but, this only gives me a 5/8' drain hole once the bulkheaad pvc is installed. While it will drain a little, I am wondering if it will be enough!? Could I use two of the holes? and the third as a sump return? ( I would rather not as 2 feet of pvc riser is quite ugly and the first one is in the back corner and easy to hide.)
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Marijuana strains

[TANGOMAN]

I'm no fluid engineer but 1 drain won't cut it on a tank that size. Not with the flow requirements for a 130g tank. I don't know if two would either.
Is the tank still empty ? Are corner overflows an option ? A return line can easily be hung over the top, at the back of the tank.

with such small holes I would recommend at least 2 of them be used as drains, but that will limit you alot to your turnover rates, I think all 3 used as drains might cut it, and then plumb your returns over the back of the tank

[Arty Morty]

I was worried that this might be the case.

The tank is currently empty, what does it take to drill a hole in 3/8" glass?
and how big would I need a single drain to be?
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MARIJUANA VAPORIZERS

I would recommend a 2 3/8" hole for a 1 1/2" bulkhead fitting, dont quote me on the size of hole to drill, I cant find my bulkhead chart to verify the hole size needed. anyway, a 1 1/2" overflow should be plenty for you 130gallon

[BCOrchidGuy]

Arty it's of my opinion that you can make it work the way it is. You're going to be limited by the single hole you want to use but you just have to compensate in other ways. Say your 5/8s hole will drain 500 gallons/hour (I have no idea if it will) then just make sure your return pump matches that, for tank circulation use powerheads etc. Your sump doesn't have to handle the complete water volume of your tank 10-20 times an hour, but you still want that turbulent water movment in your tank.
Clinton gave me a link and I'll share it with you, you can calculate your drain size and overflow size off this calculator.
http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/

Doug

[Arty Morty]

Well then, what to do, what to do?

I wish I knew....

If the skimmer is in the sump, what would be the minimum turnover rate needed to go through the sump? I suppose that would depend on the skimmer eh? If I knew the answer to this, then I would be able to make my decision.
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Chevrolet Uplander

[Quinn]

On my 150 gal my return is 1" and my overflow is 2". I'm no expert but I think you might be able to get away with using one of the holes as a return and the other two as overflows.

[Arty Morty]

and all is good for you I imagine...??
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FERRARI 250

[Quinn]

It is, although I want to move up to a Mag18, right now I'm using a Mag12.