Thanks for the info iceblue, I'm going to experiment with that.
As far as my backgrounds, I've decided to rethink the whole filtration system so they're on hold. The space constraints of the area above the tank have finally gotten to me so all the plumbing that was in the backgrounds will be changed. Also, they're just too big and monopolize the whole tank so I'm going to downsize on the redesign.
Good news is that my filtration changes are going to be cool and will make my life a lot easier. The wife gave me permission to put a sump in the basement, directly under the tank. I had originally only one hole drilled in the tank to use with my continuous water changing system but now I'm going to do put one on the opposite end as well I think. A 1" bulkhead will only do 600gph in a best case scenario they way I understand, so I figure two will be better. The sump will be about 9 feet below the top of the tank, so I'm planning to use the two Quiet One pumps I have for two returns. The 4000H is rated to do 600gph at that height but the standard 4000 will be around 275ish. Of course that's without any restriction from elbows and the like. I don't know if those two will be enough or not. I might be better off with just the one bulkhead and using the 4000H pump on it and then supplementing the filtration with the smaller pump and and a canister above the tank, I'm not sure at this point.
The sump tank itself I'm not sure about either. I have a variety of options. I have a few spare glass tanks I could use but they aren't really wide enough for the sterilite shelves I was planning on using. I also have some sizable plastic storage containers that would work but I'm probably going to do a Rubbermaid or similar stock tank. I looked at one yesterday that was a 75 gallon and had a drain system made into it. I'm still planning on doing the continuous water change system so I could incorporate that to make a small overflow to get rid of waste water. I'm not sure how I could incorporate an overflow system on the plastic storage containers and trust it not to leak so I think for piece of mind I might as well spend the money for the stock tank. The one I looked at was $60. I'll also have to build a sturdy stand for the sump to sit on. I want to get it as high as I can and still have easy access so I can keep the head height as small as possible.
This month my annual house insurance payment and my property taxes are due, so it'll be a few weeks before I can buy everything I need. Hopefully I won't change my mind ten times before now and then
