Wanting to go bigger, need help....

B

bagged87blayzer

New member
Ok So I want to go bigger. I have a freshwater 55 gallon that I want to convert. Only thing is I do not know where to start. I want to drill it but I really want to go through the bottom so I can set the tank against the wall and not have all the pipe unreachable. I am going to use a 20 long for the sump. I do not know how many holes I will need to drill or what kind of setup I would need. Basically I started out with a 10 gallon that I have setup and I am hooked. Salt is sooo much more exciting and enjoyable then the freshwater chiclid tank. Any advice/ideas/opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
Not all tanks can be drilled, and most can not be drilled through the bottom. Few tanks (larger than 10 gallons) are made without tempered bottoms. Many have tempered front/side panels, too. Tempered glass cannot be drilled. You can't tell by looking at it if it's tempered glass or not.
If you know the manufacturer of the tank, send them an email and ask them. That's your best chance of confirming whether or not your tank is drillable.
 
By the time you buy drill, bulkheads, and an overflow, I would probably just find an already drilled 55 or 75 that someone is selling. There are ussually a few used ones for sale from time to time. Most 55 gallons are at a minimum tempered on the bottom and can't be drilled. They ussually have a sticker somewhere on the bottom of the tanks that say which panels are tempered.
 
Not to hijack the thread but I have a 65gal for sale... ;)

I've found it be a better choice than a 55, 6 more inches front to back, but not quite as long as a 75. At any rate, either a 55 or a 75 isn't worth drilling on your own. you can pick those common size up relatively cheap used.

luis
 
ive used the HOB overflows with good success..

as others have stated it might be cheaper to in the long run to just sell yours as a freshwater setup and just use the proceeds to buy a good used setup that is already drilled...

i would count all the cost that your looking to put in it..
especially if your going to sink the money all in at once..

now if your going to buy this this week then that piece next week than you might want to do the hob overflow..
 
18" front to back makes a big difference. trust me, save yourself the headaches and start with a 18" deep tank.
 
I noticed your name on here is baggedblazer. Did you air bag your blazer yourself or have a shop do it for you? I used to be in mini trucks years ago. Are you in any truck club?
 
I have a nice 90 w/oak stand, refugium, canopy & plumbing for only $350. PM me if you want to see pics.

Diane
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13270925#post13270925 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tangers
18" front to back makes a big difference. trust me, save yourself the headaches and start with a 18" deep tank.
Click to expand...
Ditto. Setting up rockwork in a 12" tank is tight.

Take your time and find a drilled tank for sale here.
 
but ummm...yeah ditto! you'll want a bit wider tank to stack your rock. in that narrow of a tank, it will be more like a rock wall!


and you can find great deals on used tanks often! Lots of folks go out and buy a ton of stuff and either get bored with it, or don't do enough research and get frustrated and quit!


these forums are fantastic for gathering information and asking for advise!
 
Check on a new price before you buy used... sometime it is not much more and you get warranties. If you are gonna buy used be sure to find a good deal. That 75 on craigslist seems kinda high to me.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13285705#post13285705 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fasteddie7
know of a 300 4 sale!
cheap!
Click to expand...


You're only 5 posts short of being eligible to sell your tank here. Why are you trying to get yourself banned now?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13273097#post13273097 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by forddna
Or just give in and buy a 4x2x2 120g. :D
Click to expand...

:)

That's what I did. I still owe you pics dont I?
 
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