Finally going to drill

[Rubasu]

Hi - If this needs to be moved to a different forum, please do so...

I've finally decided to drill my 40B tank and I am about to move all of my stuff to a spare 20H while I overhaul my 40B. So I am in the planning stages right now...

I plan on doing something like Swope2c's 40B build with an angled piece of glass for a c2c overflow and drilling the back. He did an external overflow box with (I believe) a bean animal setup. Is it possible to have the drains come right out of the back of the tank, or will I need an external box? I'd rather not build one unless I have to. What are the advantages / disadvantages of this?

My plan was to drill 2 holes with one slightly higher than the other to act as an emergency drain. To stop critters from coming in, I plan on putting some eggcrate across the top of the overflow \-|

I just want it to work without overcomplicating things. I'm new to this type of setup, so I am not sure what is possible and what isn't. Thanks!

 

[Rubasu]

Bump? I'm hoping to start the build this weekend. May end up just getting a new 40B from petco since the dollar per gallon is going on again.

 

[JRR1285]

I would grab a new 40 breeder.

I did a coast to coast in mine with an internal box.

Here is the thread if you want to take a look.

 

[thegrun]

Yes you can accomplish what you want without an external overflow box, but your internal coast to coast overflow box will need to be larger to accommodate the internal plumbing.

 

[Rubasu]

So the idea to just have the holes in the back of the tank offset in height won't work? Just have the holes go to the pvc and straight to the sump instead of having a herbie / bean animal setup?

Attached pictures...sorry, all I can use it paint, haha. But it would get the idea across..

 

[JRR1285]

Issue I am seeing with that type of angled over flow is that there is no room for elbows which to my understanding is required for a beananimal drain to function properly.

 

[gigamanx]

Issue I am seeing with that type of angled over flow is that there is no room for elbows which to my understanding is required for a beananimal drain to function properly.

I second this. I have had my bean animal setup running for about 3 weeks now. I tried to run straight through the bulkheads I had drilled holes for and it makes a slurping sound. Elbows turned upwards does the same. The elbows are to make it silent and they work downturned in the tank. Leave the emergency turned upward so the holes don't have to be drilled at different heights.

+ cleaning the bottom of the V you are creating with the glass seems like it would be a nightmare.

 

[Rubasu]

I'm not necessarily trying to do a bean animal (I don't think.) I would just like to have an emergency drain just in case. So just having the two holes draining out of the back won't work? I'd like to start setting this up in the next week or so, but I need to have a plan before this.

IF I decided to go with an external overflow box...how secure are those hanging on the back of the tank? It would worry me a little bit... That's why I would like to just have the open bulkheads draining out of the back instead of setting up something super complicated.

I was thinking it would be something like the glass holes overflow, but with the angled piece that I am talking about instead of the internal box that they have. But the same thing for the drain (just the 90 elbow coming out the back.)