I am going to build a turtle tank out of acrylic soon. it will be 48Lx24Wx12H.

I want to make a simple overflow that will regulate water and allow a mechanical filtration system and heat to be in a say ten gallon sump. and return it throught the tank with some line locks on aposing sides.

I know someone did something like this here, but I cannot find the thread.

What I want is to have nothing over the back or sides of the tank. The drain would regulate the water level. I however want a flat bottom also. I plan to drill some holes in the bottom of the stand, but don't necesarrily want say 6-12 inches of drain pipe sticking out the bottom of the tank, in case it needs to be transported somewhere. I wonder about a "sleeve" in the floor of the actual tank. (that would be the thicker line on the drain tube) and an ajustable smaller tube inside of it that could be easilly removed. Same for the return line. How expencive is the transparent tube? Can I just use a hole saw to cut the hole or should I have regional do it when they cut the peices for me? What size is apropiate for just a generic flow rate? I was thinking 1inch ID, but I can't remeber about the line lock fire shrimp had as far as size....

Mark Peterson wrote: I don't see the need for a sump. I had three 6-8 inch Yellow Eared Sliders in a 55 gal. aquarium. It worked fantastic and the feeder goldfish in the water (2/3 full), the ample algae growth and the 1/2UGF - 1/2DSB handled all filtration issues! What kind of turtles are you planning this for?

It's a single small, soft shell. what is the 1/2 and 1/2 deal? The reason for the somp would be just like salt water, keep the junk out of the tank. Bulk heads eh....

Skyetone,

  Our 250 gal tank has bulkheads through the bottom of the tank (2 of them) to return water to a sump/refugium.  I know Mountain Shadow Marine has bulkheads of various sizes.  They drilled and fitted them into our tank.  If you'd like to see what it looks like/ how it works drop us a PM.

I will tend to disagree, do to my gobies. I understand that there will be some movement of the sand, Thats where R&R comes into development. Plus with 60-90(18inches tall) gallons of water, why fight a system that will want to balance itself. It would look " sterile " and free of stuff the turtle can hurt himself on. Plus fish and whatever else learns to live in there.

I would LOVE to grow some plants in the tank. A fresh water refusium. Your pics at the meeting of all the fresh water plants intrigued me. Inspiration causes innovation right?

I agree that a sump is overkill, But whats wrong with that? Done right I practically never have to maintenece...aka lazy