Plubing / Overflow assistance / Ideas - please - Thanks

ash9965 · Dec 1, 2017

OK so I recently acquired a used acrylic aquarium. Its dirty and scratched so its going to be some work to get it cleaned up and back running . The biggest issue I need assistance with is ideas and suggestions on how to address is the overflow.
Here is the situation the tank is approximately 83 long by 18 wide by 24 tall and unfortunately all of the drilled holes are in the bottom center of the tank with the largest hole being dead middle center bottom of the tank . I am not sure putting a tower overflow in the dead center would look right ?/ Thoughts ? Opinions ? Suggestions ? There are no holes on the back wall but there are 4 other holes on the bottom 2 - left and 2 right . They are smaller than the middle hole and I assume they were used for returns . I also will need ideas on the best way to plug a couple of them and then have return plumbing coming out of the middle of the tank without looking weird. All are welcome.

Thanks in advance

Mandelstam · Dec 1, 2017

Sounds like they could be from a closed loop system and not used for an overflow?

I would plug/seal them up and make a new overflow how and where I want it.

ash9965 · Dec 1, 2017

Mandelstam said:
Sounds like they could be from a closed loop system and not used for an overflow?

I would plug/seal them up and make a new overflow how and where I want it.

Good suggestion whats the best way to drill acrylic ?

Mandelstam · Dec 1, 2017

ash9965 said:
Good suggestion whats the best way to drill acrylic ?

Acrylic can be worked with wood working tools, so hole saws used for wood can be used. I've no personal experience with working acrylic outside of putting it inside a laser cutter though. I'm not sure about having to cool the drill etc. But I'm sure Google or a search here on R2R can help you with that.

ash9965 · Dec 2, 2017

Thanks .. any other ideas reefers ??

ash9965 · Dec 2, 2017

whats the best low profile way to seal the holes ?

JoshH · Dec 2, 2017

@cromag27 let's get someone with a little experience in here. And I'd be willing to bet the 3 holes for the drains were hidden by an overflow at some point myself. Hard to know for sure without pictures though.

cromag27 · Dec 3, 2017

bad design, in my opinion. the best way to patch acrylic holes is using a flat piece of acrylic to weld over the top. this does take a special technique to do correctly. the next best option would be bulkheads. then you can drill your tank how you want it. you can use hole saws from the big box stores, but be careful. as the acrylic heats up the chips will start to melt, if they down with the hole saw in the hole, then the hole saw will get stuck.

ash9965 · Dec 3, 2017

Thanks good advice

George Lopez · Dec 7, 2017

When drilling acrylic go with high speed, high tooth count and clean it out continuously until you make it through also use a clutched drill set at middle setting in case it does try to jam up on you.

ash9965 · Dec 8, 2017

Thanks

jeff williams · Dec 8, 2017

When I drill acrylic If it can't be drilled flat I keep a cup of water on hand and drill slow then dip the hole saw to cool it as needed. If it's flat you can build a dam to hold water around the hole with plumbers putty or tape ect.

ash9965 · Dec 11, 2017

Good idea . So if I pursue drilling new holes whats the best way to plug up the old holes . Any one have experience with low profile type bulkhead fitting plugs ?