newbie: pre-drilled tank or not

[Radula]

I'm a newb, and curious about the pros and cons of a pre-drilled tank. I'm assuming "sump" pumps are part of the equipment for predrilled...but not sure. I've surfed around the web and haven't found satisfactory answers--thought y'all could help with some opinions. I already have a tank*, but I'd like to make recommendations to fellow newbs and my friends from the Suncoast Conchologists (Clearwater's shell club). I've had so much fun with mine, others want to join in!

I already have a 30 gallon "native" tank stocked to the brim with local stuff, collected around the bay area. It is not predrilled, and is powered by a Penguin 200 filter (don't laugh...) and a Remora skimmer.

 

[Gimplar]

the main benefit of pre drilled tank is that you are able to expand your filtration network while elimating any unsightly filtration hanging from the tank. Although there are over flow boxes which basically convert a un drilled tank into one that is able to support a larger filtration system. And by the larger filtration system, i mean that you are able to add something called a sump. A sump is just a big empty box in which you can customize your own personal desires. Some people put a protein skimmer and something called bio balls (which are little blue balls that have more surface area, so more beneficial bacteria is able to grow) this is called a trickle system or a wet dry. others use their "sump" to stick pre filters which is a typ eof mechanism that filters out larger particles in the water. They also may use refugiums, basically now adays refugiums or fuge's are used to grow macro algae which naturally acts as a filter because it's said to absorb nitrates as well as other things.

in a nut shell, if your running a 30 gallon, it's not really that nessesary to have a drilled tank (even though my 30 gallon is custom drilled). But you'll do just fine as long as you do frequent water changes with RO/DI water (distilled water) and you use appropriate chemicals or additives to supply a suffient amount of chemicals or plankton to obtain the life that you want to obtain.

 

[Sk8r]

The secondary benefit of pre-drilled is that you don't have any U-tube suction breaks or other events that can create a flood or a mess.

A very good tank size for a pre-drilled is 50g. THey're big enough to take standard sizes in most everything, from lights to sump gear and skimmers. I agree on the 30---you may not need pre-drilled, and a hang-on-back [HOB] may work well for you. If you are laying out mega-money, however, with a view to sinking [pardon pun] deeper into this hobby, getting a 50 might be worth it because much of its equipment can be reused in larger systems. It depends on where you see yourself going.

 

[DrHank]

You also don't have to be constantly checking the overflow box to see if an air pocket is forming which could cause the suction to break (usually resulting in a tank overflow). If you are purchasing a used system they often come with the sump and return pump. If you're buying new usually everything is ala carte (altough the LFS will probably make you a package deal). You can bet that they aren't loosing any money on any equipment they sell.

Although a drilled tank would be nice, I'd probably get an overflow box now. If you find you like the hobby and want to go larger later, your thirty would make a nice sump for a larger system. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Radula]

Thanks so much for your help! Clarifies things a bunch!