So I am trying to get back into the game. I am building a 40 gallon reef with a 29 gallon sump DIY wet dry filter. What I want is to drill a hole in the back of the 40 for the drain. I have made my own overflow with pvc and an airlifter before but I don't want to use that type of system. I was just going to drill the hole in the back maybe almost half way down and drain that way. Has anyone drained this way before? The goal here is to not have pipes coming up and over the tank and not use the airlifter. I could also drill in the bottom of the 40? I don't know? What do you think?
? on my idea
- Thread starter saltyguy
- Start date
azsoccerpop
New member
what about a builtin box overflow?
AZBigJohn
Usually confused...
The bottoms of most 55 gallon or smaller tanks are usually tempered, so DO NOT DRILL THE BOTTOM WITHOUT CHECKING!
If you have a weir with teeth in your aquarium that will maintain water level if the pump shuts off, then you can drill anywhere that works for you. Otherwise, I would drill near the top as xanthrum mentioned, to avoid draining half the tank.
If you have a weir with teeth in your aquarium that will maintain water level if the pump shuts off, then you can drill anywhere that works for you. Otherwise, I would drill near the top as xanthrum mentioned, to avoid draining half the tank.
mjstech
New member
I say hit or miss for any side really. There is a way to check if tempered with polarized lenses and an laptop/phone/tablet....Google that. You can drill in middle, but add a wier stated above, and it won't drain past wier high and return section of sump. If you are drilling, do a bunch of holes....Can't do it when wet. I would do two or three for drain, two for return...And maybe some (3} near the middleish for closed loop.... You will want unions, and valves, and ball valves... You can then tee one of the closed loop side to drain to garden hose. But make sure you have the ability to remove closed loop pump (ball valves)
Yeah I wouldn't drill to far down because if the power goes out I wouldn't want all the water to drain to the sump. If I drilled from the bottom then I would install a pvc that goes half way up. This is a 40 gallon breeder from Aqueon. I am not sure if the bottom plate is tempered. I don't really like the idea of drilling the bottom anyways.
mjstech
New member
Dollar per gallon sale? I think it ends Saturday...Goes up to 75g... for anyone looking for cheap tanks. This sale is though Petco but petsmart will price match. If you drill bottom and have PVC going half the height of the tank then half of the tank will empty with power outage. Have you researched diy tank plumbing? I know lot of people get the 40 with 20 or 29 sump and there will be post/pics.
If you have a pump that can FILL a tank faster and higher than a drain that is 1/2 way down can empty it... it sounds like an accident about to happen (unless I'm missing something ... like an emergency drain near the top)
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