What to do with it...

[AzFish]

Hey everyone,

I have a 4x2x2 that i'm setting up. It has a corner weir in one corner and on the oposite side on the back panel I have a hole drilled. Previously it was used as the feed line for a protein skimmer, now thats it not a reef tank what is the best thing to do with the hole?

Use it as the return line from the sump?

use it as an overflow and add another sump?

Make a closed loop system to create more water movement within the tank?

This set up will eventually hold Tropheus sp.

Cheers,

Aaron

[Josh]

You could use it as the return from the sump but remember the water will drain back to this level if the pump stops.

[Ash]

if the tank is for display purposes I'd use it as a return point so less plumbing is in the tank. edit: Josh made a good point, how high is it? There are one way valves out there that might do the job.

Do tropheus appreciate a lot of current? If so maybe a closed loop might be an idea, though usually that requires two holes at different ends of the tank. Also, being near the surface is kind of not where you want a closed loop anyway as the return will already have current up there.

As for a secondary overflow, that has merit too though it may well be superfluous in a smallish tank - something longer a second drain point might be of benefit but a 4x2 isn't that long is it.

Really you have to decide what you think would be of most benefit to the fish and whether or not asthetics matter.

Sorry to not really be of any help

[hammondo]

bulkhead, ball valve, tap fitting - easy water changes, just an idea. I have done this before and it works great (except no gravel vac)

Greg

[trofius]

spray bar, but a bulk head in with a internal thread, attach appropriatly sized poly riser and end cap drill holes the riser, attach to outlet of pump...works well for me

[AzFish]

thanks for all the ideas people, i went with the return option as the sump takes all the backwash and this way it makes the tank look much neater inside.