Drilling the tank. Help!

[Archimendes]

Hello! Greetings from sunny and reef-less Greece!

I have a 174 gallon tank and I'd like to drill it.
Please enlighten me on the diameter of the hole, on the parts required (valves? ) and on the powerhead capacity required to return the water in the tank.

I obviously should make two drills (inflow and outflow) right? Should these be as far away as possible from each other?
How do I hide them ( won't placing rock obstruct the flow?)?

Protection from flood? How?

Many thanks! Geia sas!

 

[billdogg]

You need to decide what size and how many bulkheads you will need BEFORE you drill. There are several different options for drain - Do a quick search on here for "BeanAnimal" "Herbie" and "Durso"

I have always used the Durso style. It cannot fail (or at least none of mine have since the mid 80's) The downside to them is relatively low flow compared to a full siphon system, and excessive noise if you try to push their capacity. I don't consider lower flow to be an issue because most folks advocate slow flow through the sump and/or refugium anyway. If you are not pushing the limits of flow, noise is not really an issue either. A single 1" Durso can handle a max flow rate of ~ 350gph, but will be much happier at 250 - 300gph. My 120 DT is plumbed using the kit from www.glass-holes.com rated for 1500 GPH. I use an eheim 1262 as both the return pump and to power my carbon and GFO reactors. I use Koralia 1150gph powerheads (4 set on 2 different timers) to provide flow in the tank. My 150DT is plumber with the GH 3000gph kit and I use a DART the same way.

JMO

HTH

 

[Joe the painter]

be careful when you drill the hole I had a little piece of glass break off around the hole when I was going through the last one I drilled. and I had a piece of wood clamped to prevent that from happening.

 

[Joe the painter]

and I did go very slow no pressure and let everything cool down periodically with constant water on it

 

[asudavew]

You need to read a LOT more before drilling your tank. You need to completely understand what you want to accomplish before drilling. Most drill 2 or 3 holes just for the drains.

You don't want to mess up that pretty new tank!:bounce1:

 

[Tflow256]

Is the glass tempered???

 

[Archimendes]

Hello, thanks for the helpful advice!
I am considering hiring a glass professional to do the actual drilling - in order to avoid any mishaps.
I dive in the recommendations by billdogg before proceeding!

Much appreciated!
Geia sas!

 

[cnreef]

You need to decide what size and how many bulkheads you will need BEFORE you drill. There are several different options for drain - Do a quick search on here for "BeanAnimal" "Herbie" and "Durso"

I have always used the Durso style. It cannot fail (or at least none of mine have since the mid 80's) The downside to them is relatively low flow compared to a full siphon system, and excessive noise if you try to push their capacity. I don't consider lower flow to be an issue because most folks advocate slow flow through the sump and/or refugium anyway. If you are not pushing the limits of flow, noise is not really an issue either. A single 1" Durso can handle a max flow rate of ~ 350gph, but will be much happier at 250 - 300gph. My 120 DT is plumbed using the kit from www.glass-holes.com rated for 1500 GPH. I use an eheim 1262 as both the return pump and to power my carbon and GFO reactors. I use Koralia 1150gph powerheads (4 set on 2 different timers) to provide flow in the tank. My 150DT is plumber with the GH 3000gph kit and I use a DART the same way.

JMO

HTH

When you say you use durso on your tanks, are you saying that the glass-holes kits are considered durso? Just curious because I myself am trying to decide if I want to buy a glass-holes kit or buy an internal box from BRS and set up a durso.

 

[billdogg]

They are essentially the same. The glass holes kit does not use a standpipe but otherwise the flow characteristics are the same.

 

[Aliciamb2]

I would do two that drain water and one that is your return. With two drains you always have a backup if one gets clogged with something. If your drilling it just have patience, a good drill and good bits.

 

[billdogg]

The drilling itself is really very easy. There are plenty of youtube videos, glass holes also has a great how to video on its website. As long as the tank is not tempered, anybody with a cordless drill can do it. Put the clutch setting on its lowest setting, make a dam with plumbers putty so the bit stays wet, and go just exactly as fast as the weight of the drill will let you go.