New aquarium build to start soon need some feedback

**mrramsey** · 02-09-2013, 12:25 PM

Howdy all~

So I am about to go an pick up my new haul - a 72g Bow front that was being set up for saltwater but I am going to use it for freshwater. I t is set up for a coast to coast overflow using bean animals design. It will have a 20g sump in the stand to house the media and heater.

What do you think of the location of the return line? (lower and to the right of the other three fittings) I was wondering about breaking the surface tension of the water. Is this going to be a problem?

I was also thinking of drilling the 20g to install a drain to facilitate simple WC's when vacuuming is not needed. (thoughts or concerns?)

I will have more exacting details when I get this baby home.

**Cliff** · 02-09-2013, 01:18 PM

A 20 gallon tank would be a little on the small side as a sump for a 72 gallon tank. You would just have to be real careful to leave enough space in the sump for any drain back (should the power fail) for it to work. I would suggest drilling the tank to have a external return pump which will allow you to use more of the space in the sump.

Where the bulk head flange is located is, for the most part, not a problem at all. You can add some line lock fitting and lines to direct the flow up around the surface to add more oxygen to the water. You also have to keep in mind, the air that will get sucked into the drain line and surface movement in the sump will also add oxygen into the water.

Below are some examples of line lock fittings that I am talking about

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/revi...d-lines&cat=32

Top left hand corner of the tank showes a example

**mrramsey** · 02-09-2013, 04:25 PM

Good point Cliff... don't know why I didn't think of that. I have the tank home now so I can really start to plan the rest of this out.

1. I need to have glass cut for the overflow
2. I am going to salvage some of the lumber in the stand but I am going to build a new one that is approx 6" taller. I will probably have an internal platform to raise the sump to maintain the same head height.
3. Pump - thinking a 900gph but with the head height and fittings factored in realistically 6-700gph flow may not need to go that high. A full siphon on 3/4" will pull about 1200gph Not sure if I should go submersible or external.
4. plan out the sump... the tank is a 20g Long decide on media etc.
5. plan out the substrate - I have STS and pool sand on hand
6 plan out the aquascape and stock