Q&A on 75g build (1 Viewer)

[FishDaddy]

I've noticed a couple of folks here are running a Beanimal coast to coast wiers. I just learned about it, and just in time to use it. Phew!
Q: I've seen a c2c cut short which allows the returns to be drilled on the same plane. Is this much better than hanging the returns over the top, or running the returns through the wier box and sealing on its way out (my thought)?
Are there still anti-siphon valves used?
Are you running the flow-flopper to divert between the two returns?
Why not run the return holes below the wier bottom?

I want to auto dose golden pearls. I am assuming to use a feeding ring to keep the pearls out of the wier. Is this the experience of others?

Got any good c2c tips after having your experience with it?

 

[flexrac]

I've seen a c2c cut short which allows the returns to be drilled on the same plane. Is this much better than hanging the returns over the top, or running the returns through the wier box and sealing on its way out (my thought)?

having the returns on the side of the overflow is better than having the returns over the top in my opinion, because sometimes you get vibration from your returns when you have thenm resting on the tanks edge. for me it just looks better inside and also allows you to put a screen top on your tank.

i have seen some people drill holes into the box and have the returns in there. got to be good to line the holes up, but it can be done. in theis case you will deff want anti siphon in the line.

Why not run the return holes below the wier bottom?

i prefer to have my returns right at the water line or slightly below it, no need for siphon breaks or check valves.
anytime you have your returns deep down in your tank, you run the risk of having something fail and the tank draining down to the level of the return.

 

[trb]

Putting the returns at a similar level as the overflow is more for the asthetics than anything, plus like Felix said, you can easily add a screen top to your tank. On my current setup, the return is plumbed so the return locline is just above the water surface. Even with a siphon break hole, I still get about 1" of water volume that drains back into the sump, and my locline is 3/4".

On my next tank, which will have a Beananimal drain setup, I will be using an over the top return, mostly because all of my plumbing will be in a 1' section in the middle of the tank back, covered with a wood panel. It is just easier to run one return line to the top of the tank and the break it out into two outlets that angle down into the tank. I've seen setups with the returns flowing through the wier glass, and IMO that is a bit too much work. My wier is about 3' long, on a 4' long tank. That will give me about 5" on either side of the wier to locate the return, and a couple of Koralias kind of out of sight.

Good luck!