Thoughts on drilling tank.... Whats the payoff??

[AirAngel]

Hi,
Im a noob and I have had an established 50 gallon for 2 months and its too small. I want to keep coral and fish.
And I'm thinkin of buying an established 125 tank with an over the top pick up.
It has a sump(not hooked up),protein skimmer, and lots of other hardware.

Other than appearance, Is having the tank drilled that much better?
Is it worth the trouble and expense??
What are the benefits??
Is filtration that much better??

Needing some input here that I cant get next door.

Lots more to consider later.
Thanks,
Mike

 

[OurReef]

Coming from someone who ran an over the back for 6-7 years, drill it if you have the skills. The design we had was kept flowing by an aqua lifter. Problem is they get clogged by just about anything, power goes off, diaphragm goes bad. They last anywhere from a few weeks to a few years depending on how lucky you are. If yours is run the same way may I suggest keeping two extra aqua lifters in stock at all times. Murphy's law kicked our butts several times before we learned to keep spares.

 

[jefstathiou]

+1. I ran over the back for several months and clogging was a major issue. If at all possible, drill.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Even if you don't have the skills, it's easy to do.


I really like Glass-Holes overflows. They are very small and nicely designed and work very well. Can't beat them....they come with the drill bit to drill your tank. Highly recommended.

Here's their 1500 gph kit in my tank.

 

[AirAngel]

I hadnt paid attention to an overflow. I was thinking a low or bottom drill.
Isnt more bad stuff lower??

 

[NanaReefer]

Most important!!! Make sure the tank's glass is thick enough to be drilled.

 

[AirAngel]

Scratched this idea and bought a tank predrilled.
Thanks!!

 

[Drae]

If the tank has 2 holes drilled I highly recommend using both for drain purposes if noise is a problem. With Gate valves on them you can tune it dead silent ( herbie method). Then run a return over the back if you don't want to drill. Glwt.

 

[Bootstrap]

If the tank has 2 holes drilled I highly recommend using both for drain purposes if noise is a problem. With Gate valves on them you can tune it dead silent ( herbie method). Then run a return over the back if you don't want to drill. Glwt.

Good idea, i wish i had done mine this way

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD

 

[OurReef]

Good idea, i wish i had done mine this way

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD

Wouldn't be hard to switch over, drain your overflow and run a couple pipes.

 

[Bootstrap]

Wouldn't be hard to switch over, drain your overflow and run a couple pipes.

True, i wonder though, how would you run the return? Just over the back? And my skimmer couldn't process water any faster than the flow i have lol.

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD

 

[OurReef]

Run it to a seaswirl. Alternating flow, corals love it. I run 3, 3/4" as my returns.

My skimmer sits in my sump in a corner away from the main flow. I get about a full collection every three weeks.

Right now I'm running at about 50% flow, I have turned it all the way to see if the tank and sump can handle it, but it's way too much I think. Herbies have to both be fully open and they barely keep up.

Ild love to be able to figure out how much water is actually flowing through at full blast. (Reeflo Hammerhead return pump).

 

[OurReef]

You run your drain through your skimmer?

You could build a manifold that would allow you to bypass water to your skimmer and back up to the tank at the same time. Ball valve on the line running to the skimmer to control flow.