I need some help with new 220g tank

[schrader mo]

I have my tank up and giong kind of.It is full of water ,has LR(100 lbs),several powerheads.I need help with designing my flow in the tank to start with.I would like a closed loom setup.IT will be over the top because I really didnt trust drilling the perfecto tank.
So here is the list of stuff I am trying to figure out.
pump size and kind?
how main returns?
where to place them?
what size pipes will I need?

Please feel free to give any kind of sugestions u have for flow for this tank.I will only be keeping softies in this tank.Something to keep in mind is I am not a wealth person(factory worker) so money is a issue I will probley have to buy used for the pump to save money.

The rock work will start low in the middle of the tank and go up to the top of the tank at one end leaveing an open sand bed on 3' of the tank.

The lighting which I have already is a 400wMH for the side of the tank where the rocks come to tha top of the tank.The side of the tank with the open SB will have a 96wPc may and more later.I am going for a deepwater reef slope bright at one end and low light at the other.

[oregon_gorge]

Morning Brad,


We have a 240g. I too didnt want to drill it, but I took the plunge and it is not that bad.

We have a 2'' overflow about 4'' from the top in the center of the tank. It flows to the sump in the basement.

The return pump is a Little Giant pond style (no oil fill) that I got at Lowes on sale for $129.00. It is 3900gph. I think they are around $180.00 now, but you can find them on Ebay cheap sometimes. Also, the Home and Garden shows are starting up for Spring and you might find a bargain.

I have a 2'' return with 2 ea. 3/4 valves in the sump. One for the skimmer and a second if I want to put on a filter or run carbon or who knows what other things come up. I could also pump it out that way too I guess.

The 2'' goes behind the tank and T's again. I have 4ea. 3/4'' valves that go to the back of the top where there are elbows on the 2 ends that shoot out towards the front corners. Then 2 more in the center that go down behind the rock and have T's to blow accross the back behind the LR.

My next one I would use 1'' return lines instead of 3/4''. Well now that you are totally confused by all that, have a great day

Chris