Acrylic fabrication in Indy

[Aquatic Reef Creations]

Hey gang,
I am getting ready to buy an acryilc tank. The tank has not been drilled and does not have any overflow(s). Does anyone out there know of someone/someplace that I could get to drill the tank and maybe fabricate an overflow box for the tank? Next question, should I have one overflow in the middle of the tank or one on each end? The tank is 24"long, 24"tall and 16" deep. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Kevin

 

[Aquatic Reef Creations]

One more thing, should I have holes drilled for a closed loop or is this tank too small for that?
Thanks,
Kevin

 

[SJGreene]

Not sure on the the drilling and fab work, but regarding the overflow, have you thought about a coast to coast overflow?

 

[playful1]

Kevin, I may have a tank that would fit your bill that is up and running now, but I am looking at tearing down. I have a 24" cube tank, that is drilled for and hard plumbed for a loop with 2 intakes and 6 returns. It's ball valved and unioned with loc-line. the acrylic is a little rough but nothing some polish can't clean up. I have live rock that is perfect for it and I could make you a heck of a deal. Shoot me a PM if intersted.
Thanks
Dustin

 

[Aquatic Reef Creations]

Hey SJ,
I am assuming that a coast to coast would be an overflow that goes the entire length of the tank?
Kevin

 

[Aquatic Reef Creations]

I am thinking something along the lines of the tank that is in this post.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1281398
Where could I find someone to do the overflow box and drill the holes? Any ideas?
Thanks
Kevin

 

[SJGreene]

Correct on the coast to coast. It's kinda like the one in the link.

With the overflow running the length of the tank, you get a larger volume of surface water skimmed. Additionally, if you do an overflow with no teeth, the thin layer of water being skimmed is even greater than an overflow with teeth.

The coast to coast is sometimes called a "calfo style" overflow, because Anthony likes this style. I'll see if I can find a link.


As for fabrication, you could DIY. You would need some acrylic and weld on, which can be picked up locally from Meyer Plastics ( http://www.meyerplastics.com/ ). Then just use a table saw to cut the pieces to size.

I would think you could drill the holes yourself with a regular hole saw from HD or Lowes, but I've never had an acrylic tank so I'm not sure if there is some special way to drill it like with glass tanks.

 

[SJGreene]

Here's some links on the coast to coast:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...08555&perpage=25&highlight=calfo&pagenumber=1

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=473152&highlight=calfo