300 DD Drilling

[ChimolaFish]

So I have a 300 DD I'm setting up in about a month, and I'm designing the sump, stand, and everything else right now. The factory overflows can handle about 700 gph max (super loud, more like 500gph) from what marineland says, and that's obviously not going to work since there's only two and I need about 3000 gph. So I have to drill the back of the tank in some configuration and either install another overflow with drains, or what I was potentially thinking was turning both overflow holes into drains for a total of 4 drains and then drilling two holes for the return T's. Anyone know if this would work? I doubt it would because the plastic part itself might be a limiting factor and the two extra one inch drains probably still won't provide enough drain.

I was considering doing a slim overflow box from BRS, but the 16in model is 200$ and they have a tendency to leak, plus the build quality I've heard from reviews on the site is trashy. Not looking to spend a lot of money on a piece of crap.

Need ideas for brainstorming or any advice would be very helpful. Marineland says the DD's aren't tempered glass either, so I'd like to confirm that from experience with someone who drilled theirs.

 

[SPS_77493]

If I were you I would buy the marineland stand so you can have a warranty on the tank. IMO don't alter the tank otherwise warranty becomes null/void.

Just as an FYI-300 DD is notorious for leaking.

 

[Breadman03]

I cut the overflow out of my 150DD and made a coast to coast overflow with BeanAnimal drains.

 

[L8Braker]

I have a 300 DD and running a Panworld 250PS pump to power the tank, UV, Chiller and future reactors (just set mine up as well). The tank can handle way more flow than the trigger systems sump can. I added a dump valve for this reason. Also these overflows are not loud at all. Not sure where you got that info or have you already set it up before and heard it? Noise isn't an issue for me with a panworld pump going hahaha but my tank is in the wall and have a fish room behind it.

For turnover in the tank I have 2 MP40QD (just replaced to gyre150) and going to add 2 more mp40's possibly to the back wall.

 

[Lam Ly]

250 DD drilled.

250 DD drilled.

I too, took out the two overflow in my 250DD and build the Ghost overflow on the center back of the tank and it works perfectly.

 

[ChimolaFish]

I wasn't planning on using a trigger system sump, but the slim overflows. I need to drill because the max those standard drains can handle are 1275gph each, which in my opinion is undersized for sump movement and feed through for a skimmer. Marineland stands are crap and the cost for a stand and canopy would be absurd. Plus I bought it from someone else, so there's no warranty. Wasn't aware there's a bad reputation with them leaking, I'll look into it.

Nice to hear about the 250, I'm just scared to drill it and find out it's tempered even though everything I've read says they aren't, haha.

 

[McPuff]

I just bought a 300DD from another reefer. The LFS removed the stock overflows, sealed them up with thick glass and created a new overflow box with dual 1.5" bulkheads versus the 1" that were standard. Ran this way for over 2 years with no issues. Hoping the same will be true for me for many more than 2 years.

 

[Jamie9169]

I have a 180 DD and I removed the original internal drain, drilled new holes for a Synergy Reef Overflow with a Bean Animal set up in it. I took bulkheads with blind caps and closed off the other three bulkheads where the original drains were.

 

[ChimolaFish]

Thanks, guys, that's all very encouraging. I bout two 18" overflows already and I'm going to throw two 2" drains on it (cause who cares) and I'm gonna do it as a peninsula. I'll make a thread once everything's done in a month or so. Wish me luck!