Drilling 180 gal tank

Jvesche20 · Sep 10, 2019

I’m trying to do all the math and figure everything out before I drill my tank. I don’t wanna drill it and later mess up something cause it was too big or too small. I plan on drilling my tank with a high turn over. What size would you guys recommend I drill? I’m thinking of 2 overflows. Either one in the corners or spaced out evenly in the back somewhere. I attached pictures of the 2 types but not sure. I’m thinking drilling the back would be the best for this? Or would underneath be better?

Glass for the sides is 1/2” thick and I believe the bottom is 5/8”

I feel like if I drill from the bottom it’s going to be super loud from the water splashing down. I currently have a 125 with an overflow box and I wanna hide everything with this new tank.

Any tips or ideas would be great. New to drilling so any feedback is appreciated!

Jvesche20 · Sep 10, 2019

Water Dog · Sep 10, 2019

Instead of traditional corner overflows running Durso drains, have you considered a Beanaimal ghost style overflow with a low profile internal weir? @TaylorPilot of Exotic Marine Systems makes these style of overflows with long low profile internal weirs. Here is his model with a 32” internal weir with 1.5” plumbing for the high turnover flow rate that you’re looking for...

32" Overflow Kit with 1.5" Drains

This is our standard 32" slimline overflow kit. The weir openings are 0.5" tall, with a total distance from the top of the box only 1". The external box utilizes 1.5" drains for increased flow capability. If you are flowing over 1500 GPH through your sump, this is the system we recommend. The...

www.exoticmarinesystems.com

I much prefer these style of overflows as they take up little internal real estate on the inside of the tank. On a much smaller scale, here’s my ghost style overflow on my 57 gallon.

Hemmdog · Sep 10, 2019

Water Dog said:
Instead of traditional corner overflows running Durso drains, have you considered a Beanaimal ghost style overflow with a low profile internal weir? @TaylorPilot of Exotic Marine Systems makes these style of overflows with long low profile internal weirs. Here is his model with a 32” internal weir with 1.5” plumbing for the high turnover flow rate that you’re looking for...

32" Overflow Kit with 1.5" Drains

This is our standard 32" slimline overflow kit. The weir openings are 0.5" tall, with a total distance from the top of the box only 1". The external box utilizes 1.5" drains for increased flow capability. If you are flowing over 1500 GPH through your sump, this is the system we recommend. The...

www.exoticmarinesystems.com

I much prefer these style of overflows as they take up little internal real estate on the inside of the tank. On a much smaller scale, here’s my ghost style overflow on my 57 gallon.

+1, this is all people do these days. I did it on my newest build too and will always do ghost overflows in the future. So much more space in the tank with it, no dead spots, better flow overall.

Jvesche20 · Sep 10, 2019

so does the black part go all across the back of the tank or just part of it?

Water Dog · Sep 10, 2019

Jvesche20 said:
so does the black part go all across the back of the tank or just part of it?

The one I linked to has a 32” internal weir box. Most of us center our weir boxes inside the tank, so it would be 32” centered across the 72” rear glass span of your 180 gallon tank.

Jvesche20 · Sep 10, 2019

Water Dog said:
The one I linked to has a 32” internal weir box. Most of us center our weir boxes inside the tank, so it would be 32” centered across the 72” rear glass span of your 180 gallon tank.

gotcha just watched the video on the website you linked.

What is that black layer that is behind the ghost overflow? That's what I meant when I said does it go all the way across

Hemmdog · Sep 10, 2019

Jvesche20 said:
gotcha just watched the video on the website you linked.

What is that black layer that is behind the ghost overflow? That's what I meant when I said does it go all the way across

Just paint. Some people paint the outside of the back glass black.

Water Dog · Sep 10, 2019

Yup, I painted the outside rear glass of my tank black for aesthetics.

Jvesche20 · Sep 10, 2019

Hemmdog said:
Just paint. Some people paint the outside of the back glass black.

Can you just use normal black paint? I was gonna get that background stuff that sticks to the back of the glass. Not sure what it’s called but I see it at the fish stores

Mastiffsrule · Sep 10, 2019

Water Dog said:
Instead of traditional corner overflows running Durso drains, have you considered a Beanaimal ghost style overflow with a low profile internal weir? @TaylorPilot of Exotic Marine Systems makes these style of overflows with long low profile internal weirs. Here is his model with a 32” internal weir with 1.5” plumbing for the high turnover flow rate that you’re looking for...

32" Overflow Kit with 1.5" Drains

This is our standard 32" slimline overflow kit. The weir openings are 0.5" tall, with a total distance from the top of the box only 1". The external box utilizes 1.5" drains for increased flow capability. If you are flowing over 1500 GPH through your sump, this is the system we recommend. The...

www.exoticmarinesystems.com

I much prefer these style of overflows as they take up little internal real estate on the inside of the tank. On a much smaller scale, here’s my ghost style overflow on my 57 gallon.

That is a great, clean look set up. I would 3rd this after Mr. dog.

Water Dog · Sep 10, 2019

Jvesche20 said:
Can you just use normal black paint? I was gonna get that background stuff that sticks to the back of the glass. Not sure what it’s called but I see it at the fish stores

I used rustoleum gloss black paint and applied it with a foam roller. Any paint will do. When you paint, be sure to leave the areas where the rubber gaskets go between the tank and the rear plumbing box free of paint. You want to ensure a clean seal for the rubber gaskets.

Holes drilled...

Painters tape to account for the gaskets prior to painting...

Jvesche20 · Sep 10, 2019

Water Dog said:
I used rustoleum gloss black paint and applied it with a foam roller. Any paint will do. When you paint, be sure to leave the areas where the rubber gaskets go between the tank and the rear plumbing box free of paint. You want to ensure a clean seal for the rubber gaskets.

Holes drilled...

Painters tape to account for the gaskets prior to painting...

What size holes did you drill?

Water Dog · Sep 10, 2019

Jvesche20 said:
What size holes did you drill?

I don’t recall... my 12” 1200 gph Modular Marine ghost overflow kit came with a drill bit and a template. Whatever kit you buy will either include a drill bit or recommend a drill bit size appropriate for their overflow kit.

Jvesche20 · Sep 10, 2019

Water Dog said:
I don’t recall... my 12” 1200 gph Modular Marine ghost overflow kit came with a drill bit and a template. Whatever kit you buy will either include a drill bit or recommend a drill bit size appropriate for their overflow kit.

What about the things sticking out of the return line? I have something similar but I can’t remember what they are called.

Water Dog · Sep 10, 2019

My dual returns are 1/2”. I used 1/2” ABS bulkheads that require a 30mm drill bit. BRS has a guide for recommended drill bit sizes for their ABS bulkheads.

Bulkhead ABS Thread x Thread

Bulkheads are used to attach plumbing to aquariums and sumps to allow water to flow through them. These low profile reef safe bulkheads are made from black ABS plastic. Our supplier manufactures these slightly thicker than competitor aquarium bulkheads making them more reliable. Bulkheads come...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

However for a 180 gallon tank, I’d recommend you use Schedule 80 pvc bulkheads.

Bulkhead ABS Thread x Thread

Bulkheads are used to attach plumbing to aquariums and sumps to allow water to flow through them. These low profile reef safe bulkheads are made from black ABS plastic. Our supplier manufactures these slightly thicker than competitor aquarium bulkheads making them more reliable. Bulkheads come...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Also note, it looks like you’re gonna be drilling a trimmed tank. Check with the manufacturer the recommended hole height / template placement for your overflow kit so that you can be sure the waterline is hidden by the tank trim.

Water Dog · Sep 10, 2019

Jvesche20 said:
What about the things sticking out of the return line? I have something similar but I can’t remember what they are called.

Those are Vivid Creative Aquatics random flow generator nozzles attached to Loc Line.

Random Flow Generators for Loc-Line

Attaches to 1/2", 3/4" Loc-Line and creates random flow patterns. Vivid Creative Aquatics 3D printed random flow generators easily snap onto standard Loc-Line segments for a custom flow pattern through their patent pending randomized design. Each RFG is made of reef-safe PETG plastic and made to...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Jvesche20 · Sep 10, 2019

Water Dog said:
My dual returns are 1/2”. I used 1/2” ABS bulkheads that require a 30mm drill bit. BRS has a guide for recommended drill bit sizes for their ABS bulkheads.

Bulkhead ABS Thread x Thread

Bulkheads are used to attach plumbing to aquariums and sumps to allow water to flow through them. These low profile reef safe bulkheads are made from black ABS plastic. Our supplier manufactures these slightly thicker than competitor aquarium bulkheads making them more reliable. Bulkheads come...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

However for a 180 gallon tank, I’d recommend you use Schedule 80 pvc bulkheads.

Bulkhead ABS Thread x Thread

Bulkheads are used to attach plumbing to aquariums and sumps to allow water to flow through them. These low profile reef safe bulkheads are made from black ABS plastic. Our supplier manufactures these slightly thicker than competitor aquarium bulkheads making them more reliable. Bulkheads come...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Also note, it looks like you’re gonna be drilling a trimmed tank. Check with the manufacturer the recommended hole height / template placement for your overflow kit so that you can be sure the waterline is hidden by the tank trim.

those were just pictures of random tanks. I don’t have trim on this tank.

Water Dog said:
Those are Vivid Creative Aquatics random flow generator nozzles attached to Loc Line.

Random Flow Generators for Loc-Line

Attaches to 1/2", 3/4" Loc-Line and creates random flow patterns. Vivid Creative Aquatics 3D printed random flow generators easily snap onto standard Loc-Line segments for a custom flow pattern through their patent pending randomized design. Each RFG is made of reef-safe PETG plastic and made to...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Awesome I’ll have to invest in some of these