Pre-drilling an un-pre-drilled tank

[Nzomniak]

I might be getting a Bow front tank from someone, which is not pre-drilled. I really wanted a pre-drilled for simplicity sake considering that I'm such a newb.

Can someone either tell me exactly what holes will need to be drilled, or a link to somewhere that shows/explains it? Please?

 

[AllenFord_SC]

This can only be answered by asking you questions.

1) Is the glass tempered? If so, it can't be drilled.

2) What are your plans for plumbing? Are you just drilling for a drain and return line, or do you plan on having two drains and two return lines.

3) What is the amount of flow you are looking for? This will help determine the size of the bulkheads you need to drill holes for.

4) Will you be running a closed loop? This will require more holes to be drilled. 1 for a drain and a few more for returns.

5) Where do you plan on placing your overflows? In the corners, one central, or an external box that runs the span of the tank.

Answering these questions will help us help you alot more.

 

[okiejaco]

There is a ton of infromation in the diy forum.

 

[Nzomniak]

It was such an easy question when I asked it, why did you have to go and make it so complicated?

1) I know that tempered glass can't be drilled.

2) What would be the point of having two drains and two return lines?

3) I have no idea how much flow is needed. I'm planning on starting with FOWLR, then eventually getting into the corals.

4) I don't know what a closed loop is, nor what it is good/bad for?

5) How much difference does it make where the overflows are located? I was planning to have a sump under the tank, if that makes any difference.

I obviously have no idea what I'm doing.

I've been researching and learning about the fish, water parameters and maintenance. I have no clue when it comes to the "hardware" side of things. I thought when you go to the store and buy a pre-drilled tank, that the holes and stuff were standard. Hubby is the one who knows about hardware, but he knows even less than I do about aquariums. :lol:

I also think the tank is acrylic, maybe 50 - 60 gallons. The guy said something about plexiglass. But he also looked at me like I was crazy when I asked if it was drilled.

 

[dave11]

agree totaly with allen - think a lot about what you want before you have the tank drilled - a lot is down to personal choice.
dave

 

[Nzomniak]

I went to the DIY forum, but didn't see anything about it. Damn search button. I really need to donate some $$ to RC, but won't be able to for about 2 more weeks.

*Searches deeper through DIY forum*

 

[AllenFord_SC]

Ok acrylic is much better if youy plan to drill. You will need an overflow box to go around the holes you drill. For a FOWLR you won't need an extraordinary amount of flow. We will assume the tank is 60 gallons.

First off measure the back wall of your tank and find your center point. I believe a 7" by 5" overflow box would suffice. You will need one hole drilled for your drain. Let's just say we are going to allow for 1000 Gallons per Hour of flow. For this I would make the drain pipe 1.5" diameter. Now you need a return pipe. 1" should suffice in this area. Purchase your Bulkheads before you drill!!! Some manufacturers diameters vary from others. Go with Schedule 80 bulkheads. Once you have purchased the bulkheads, measure the size hole needed to drill. The hole should be placed no less than half of the distance from the tank as the size of the hole. So If you drill a 2" hole it shoul be at least 1" from the edge on the side closest to the edge.

For the overflow box, you are also going to need to know how to work with acrylic. www.melevsreef.com is a great place to learn this.

Don't let the idea of working with acrylic scare you. Practice on a couple of pieces before you go for the tank. You will need to assemble the overflow box and attatch it to the tank. Install the bulkheads before you install the box so it is easier to tighten them. This is not going to be an easy project but with patience and a little reading you should do fine. Plus you will have the reward of saying you did it yourself. If all of this scares you, you could always find a glass or plastic shop and see if they could do it for you.

I attached a quick drawing I did to try and explain a little more.

 

[Nzomniak]

Thanks a million for the personalized drawing! I never expected anything like that. You've really opened my eyes to how much planning and detail will need to go into it. I will definitely take the info and drawing you gave me and run with it!! :lol:

If anybody else has any further info, it is ALL welcome!

Thank you!

 

[Nzomniak]

Does this setup take into consideration that I want to get corals in future? Or will I need some kind of modifications later on to make it coral friendly?

 

[Recife]

For a FOWLR tank, can't you just drill a hole and use a pipe turned up as overflow without the need to attach an overflow box?

 

[AllenFord_SC]

Corals will require more flow. For that I would recomend a closed loop setup.

Basicly a closed loop is a pump that pulls water from one pipe in the tank and sends it to several other pipes to create flow patterns without the water ever contacting air. With an acrylic tank, this will be an easy upgrade when you are ready to do it.

All that will be needed is an external pump, some bulkheads, and some plumbing supplies, such as ball valves, pipe, and some unions. But we will discuss this more when the time comes. No need to rack your brain to much as the overflow should keep you busy for a while. Post some questions when you are ready about the CL and I will be happy to help anyway I can.

 

[AllenFord_SC]

Yes recife, you can do it that way, but the main purpose of an overflow is surface skimming. The larger amount of the surface that is being skimmed, the less likely you are to get a protein slick on the surface. Also it provides a better air/gas exchange. Say a 2" pipe can skim about 5" of surface at a time where as the overflow I drew for her can skim 17" on a more spread out area.