Some large tank questions

[nauticac4]

I have a large tank, it is acrylic, 4'Lx2'Wx2'D. I dont know the origins of the tank, however it has been sitting on my porch for about a week full of water (making sure it held water). I beleive it has what is refered to as a euro brace. About 4 to 6 " of acrylic around the top edge. I will try and take some pics. My questions are.

The acrlic is a little more than a 1/2" thick. Will this hold? It has been holding water fine on the porch but I dont wanna get it in the house and have water all over if it bust.

What is the best way to plumb an overflow and flow for the tank?

How hard and what is required to drill bulkheads into acrylic?

Thanks for any help.

BTW I am looking to do a reef tank, LPS and SPS, with some fish.

I have read on the forums quite a bit and I am wondering where to get started with planing.

 

[46bfinGA]

Your tank is 120 gallons.I believe 1/2" is fine with eurobracing you should have no worries.

You can buy some bi/metal holesaws and an arbor to drill bulkhead holes into the tank.HD or Lowes.

Check out the DIY or the Equipment forums you will find everything you are looking for.

 

[woz9683]

If it's over a 1/2" thick then it's probably 5/8" acrylic. Most acrylic actually measures under the stated thickness. Either way though, 1/2" should be fine, 5/8" will be better but both are ok.

To start planning, start reading. There is no "best" way to do an overflow, as everyone has their own opinion (there are drawings of my opinion in my gallery with a similar sized tank). FWIW, acrylic is very easy to drill with basic holesaws like 46bfinGA suggests.

Also, remember that your overflow is probably not going to be the main source of flow for your tank. Look to a closed loop or tunze/vortech type powerheads for the bulk of your water movement.