Anyone that has drilled their tank.......

[Kaos]

I'm looking to set up a new nano reef. Since I can't find rr smaller tanks (30gal. or less) I'm going to have to drill it myself. I've got a pretty good idea as to what I'm going to do and how I'm going to do it, but I want to hear from everyone else's experiences w/ doing this. I'd like to know the different ways you set up your overflows and plumbing. Also, any drilling tips would be great too (I already know about the plumber's putty and creating a little resevoir w/ water to help w/ the drilling process). Pic's would be great also. TIA.

 

[WNTITAL]

I had the same question just the other day. There is a guy that documented the whole process. Lots of pics and instructions. I would keep looking around in some of the other forums. You should find it. If not, post another forum in New to Hobby or general reef discusion.Good luck.

 

[Avast Marine]

I would seriously consider a external weir on a smaller tank. Many benefits and if done right little risk.

Cut a slot.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58279226@N00/137885743/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/45/137885743_34ed4ba2a0_o.jpg" width="400" height="299" alt="slot2" /></a>

slap a box with bulkheads on the outside....
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58279226@N00/141118672/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/53/141118672_364f9d4e1f_o.jpg" width="600" height="802" alt="frontside" /></a>

and plumb away.....
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58279226@N00/173627058/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/62/173627058_c05dfc16ef_o.jpg" width="600" height="449" alt="cl-back" /></a>

 

[Gallandro]

This is my plubming on my drilled nanno. I drilled two holes. One for the closed loop, and one of the sump return. THe loop hole just had to be below the water line, but the return line is important, and must be bisected bu the water line.

 

[Gallandro]

Front of the tank

 

[DHyslop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7842471#post7842471 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dandy7200
I would seriously consider a external weir on a smaller tank. Many benefits and if done right little risk.

Cut a slot.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/58279226@N00/137885743/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/45/137885743_34ed4ba2a0_o.jpg" width="400" height="299" alt="slot2" /></a>

I have an external overflow on my tank and am very proud of it. However I'm surprised the one pictured hasn't broken yet: before I cut mine I tried to find every post I could and found that almost everyone who had cut a slot with square corners found their pane cracked within days. Glass is much more forgiving of round corners.

Dan

 

[Avast Marine]

It's been running 4 months with water no probs. I think one thing I did differantly than the ones that have cracked is I built a box with 5 sides rather than 4 (so their is an extra piece laminated to the back of the tank rather that just relying on the back of the tank to complete the overflow). I think this adds considerable strength to the design. This is why I said "If done right there is little risk". If done wrong you will no doubt be mopping up water.

 

[DHyslop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7844035#post7844035 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dandy7200
If done wrong you will no doubt be mopping up water.

Amen. I cut a series of short vertical slits rather than one long slot just to add a margin of safety at the cost of some surface skimming efficiency.

I've had mine set up for about six months with no problems. To be completely honest I plan to an engineer before I do another one, just to know what my margin is.

Dan