overflow Q

[Fsuraven]

I picked up a used 90, its my first tank that has overflows and sump and that. I was reading about DIY durso standpipes, and would like to make one but the hole in the overflow is just a hole with a fitting but not threaded, does it matter if its threaded? Also the return should be above the water level? if it does than how much higher? On a different tank...I just put a 250watt mh over it,its 29gallon. Picked up a couple sps and wanted to give them bright light till, they can get into the bigger tank(it'll be a while) but is it nessecary(sp?) to have actinic supplimentation?

[Geoff]

actinic supplimentation is mainly for you. we tend to like the phosphoresence that several coral produce when exposed to the actinic lighting. other than that they are not necessary.

i am assuming that the fitting you are talking about is the bulkhead. what size pipe does the bulkhead fit? you can pretty much put a durso on any bulkhead. it does not need to be threaded.

i recommend putting the returns above the water level. it keeps the amount of water that will back siphon into the sump. i do not trust check valves. they get clogged very easily.

G~

[Fsuraven]

yes the bulkhead is what I meant, the opening measures 1 1/4", I was wondering because the return pipe is threaded at the bulkhead. thanks !