Where to drill drain on frag tank

[FarmerTy]

So I picked up a frag tank and was wondering what are the general thoughts on the drain hole placement? Low in the last baffle of the overflow compartment? High? Does it matter? I was thinking of drilling the lower X on the pictures.

 

[Anthony Wood]

doesnt matter really the only thing that will change is the water level inside the overflow itself. If your gonna do more than one drain put them side by side horizontally not vertically on the back pane. Thats pretty much it. If its an acrylic tank and NOT a tank with a tempered glass bottom tank I will drill right into the bottom pane. Its much cleaner and easier to find a spot to place the tank because you can get the tank itself closer to the wall. If it doesnt matter to you then drill the back pane honestly doesnt matter where on the back pane.

 

[Anthony Wood]

I should add the lower the water level in the overflow the louder water splashing will be from falling down through the overflow box teeth will be. For that reason I try to get mine as close to the top rim of the overflow box as I can. But just low enough that if you look through the front pane of of the tank you dont see any plumbing behind the overflow box itself.

 

[FarmerTy]

I should add the lower the water level in the overflow the louder water splashing will be from falling down through the overflow box teeth will be. For that reason I try to get mine as close to the top rim of the overflow box as I can. But just low enough that if you look through the front pane of of the tank you dont see any plumbing behind the overflow box itself.

Thanks Anthony for the quick response! I forgot to point out that the first baffle after the overflow teeth is a high one with water going under it so I'd imagine it would keep the water level from dropping in that first chamber and causing the splashing sound you mentioned. I'd love to drill underneath but I'll be using this tank for swaps and would rather it sit flush on the table if possible.

 

[Anthony Wood]

Your welcome and gotcha! So yes just make sure you don't drill higher then the baffle that will set the level for your skimmer like you already said. You got it all covered!

 

[FarmerTy]

Done and done! It's ready for the swap!