What I need to know about drilling bottom of the tank

[fly2cast]

I was planning on building a tank where the overfill holes and return lines are on the bottom of the tank. What do I need to know about doing this? Are there more problems with leaks doing this? Is there a particular place on the bottom to avoid drilling (near the edge, etc)? Any links? Thanks.

 

[ONEMANBAND]

make sure its not tempered glass, if it is it will break.

 

[fly2cast]

Yep, I'm making the aquarium myself and the glass won't be tempered.

 

[ONEMANBAND]

Personally i keep holes in the upper parts incase a bulkhead leaks, so my entire tank won't drain. I have seen several tanks with closed loops drilled into the bottom, it can look slick.

 

[masterswimmer]

If you're building it yourself, I'd build it with an overflow box and drill it high up (like a natural durso). This way you can still have good surface skimming and avoid the noise.

Tanks are built with tempered bottoms for safety reasons. You might want to consider using tempered for the bottom of yours too. Especially since there is no need to drill it.

Russ