The Practice 120

nativecollector

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 16, 2007
27
0
0
52
Northeast North Carolina
Questions, need some help.

The tank itself is done with the exception of the plumbing. Now I need some help, I am not sure how to do the filtering system. Let me make myself a little more clear, I know how to make the filtering system but I need to know the best way to put the drain pipes and returns in. The idea of this tank it to not have anything extending outside of the sides of the tank. So the drain pipes need to go straight down through the bottom of the tank and the stand at the same time. Being that this is a 120 gallon what size pipe should I use? Should I have two drains, one at either end or one central exit in a Y configuration? What about the return lines should they be in a drip type system or a jet type of return? I am not to concerned about the look of the pipes because they will be hidden once the background is in place, and what is visible will have silicone and rocks applied to hide the white pipe.
I have a 20 gallon tank that I plan on making into the sump, will that be enough or should I go with a larger sump?
What would be the best size pump to run on the return? it will have to go up almost 4 foot to be pumped back into the tank.

I am planning an UGJ system to go in the bottom, that has or will have 2 separate small pumps to run that. There will be 4 jets for each pump to push out water. Will that even out ok or should I go with three small pumps and do three jets per pump?

All ideas will be considered.
 

will-kib1

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 10, 2006
38
0
0
uk
just seen your post hav!nt been on here for abit polyester resin is not 100% waterproof two tanks imade useing it leaked within 12 months allthe tanks ihave built useing epoxy i hav!nt had one leak with poly you need to seal it with epoxy paint
 

nativecollector

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 16, 2007
27
0
0
52
Northeast North Carolina
will-kib1;933674; said:
just seen your post hav!nt been on here for abit polyester resin is not 100% waterproof two tanks imade useing it leaked within 12 months allthe tanks ihave built useing epoxy i hav!nt had one leak with poly you need to seal it with epoxy paint
When you say epoxy paint do you mean epoxy resin, or just a basic epoxy type paint? If you are refering to paint then what colors is it available in and what brand is safe for tank use? If you are talking about just the West Systems two part epoxy then nevermind I can get that easily.
 

will-kib1

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 10, 2006
38
0
0
uk
as you have allready used poly you can just use epoxy paint i think one of the brands in america is ecosystems and is available in most colours the best way to seal tanks i have found is epoxy resin and glassfibre mat my local supplier will mix any colour you want in to the resin of the 22 tanks ive built for my self or helped with friends the only twq that leaked were sealed with poly because it is very slighley porous and eventualy soaks the ply do it right with epoxy resin and mat and i garentee it wont leak but it is hard work:) :)
 

ratbnoes86

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 11, 2012
34
0
0
Greensburg, IN
use liquid rubber to coat the inside of the tank. it will allow for expansion when you add the water to the tank and wont crack like fiber glass or anything of that nature.
 
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