Drill hole size and height

[ricwilli]

I would like to drill my 72gal bow front tank. The thing is, is that I don't know how big I should drill the holes and how high. I don't know if I should drill two holes or one for the draining of the tank to the sump. Is there a specific size or height for the holes?

 

[ricwilli]

Any one ????????????

 

[seatown76]

Is the tank acrylic or glass?

 

[Steverino]

A rough ballpark answer here would be to first figure out your total solution. Start with where you are going to buy your bulkheads. I just bought some 1", which require a 1.75" hole. I first made sure I could get my hands on a hole saw that was the right size, and that I could get the corresponding bulkheads. Then I used the calculator on the front page of this website to help with some estimates of the amount of water flow from a 1" bulkhead, than I compared it with the return pumps and costs as well, and with the size of the sump I am able to fit under my tank. You have to make a decision with all of these factors in mind - a total solution, before drilling or buying anything (as opposed to just first drilling a hole, then buying a bulkhead that fits in it, then what size sump you want, then what size pump will work.)

 

[ricwilli]

The tank is glass. I have not purchased anything yet. My sump will be custom made. It will be 27" long, 10" wide, 16" tall. It will be devided into three sections. I kind of thought that the bigger the return hole is, the better. Where did you get your bulkheads from?