Quick plumbing help needed!

Jovreefer · 04/29/2006, 07:45 AM

Ok I've finally broken down and decided to add a sump to my 20H tank. I want to drill a new tank and move everything over but I need help.

Where should I drill it?

I want the hole on one side and the return on the other. If I drill near the top I wont be able to surface skim, and someone said they've herd of tanks breaking later on because of being drilled on the back side.

If I drill the bottom then I will have to also cut out a hole in my stand to fit the plumbing.

What would be the best place to drill this tank?

artful-dodger · 04/29/2006, 08:20 AM

Many tanks (especially bigger ones) have tempered glass in the bottom and can't be drilled. Check in advance with the manufacturer (or have the glass drilled by the store).

I've not had a problem with holes causing breaks, but anything's possible. I would recommend staying at least the diameter of the hole away from any glass edge.

You will need to build or buy an overflow of one type or another so that you [U]do[/] surface skim and to prevent draining too much water down to the sump and overflowing.

If you have a glass shop cut the 4 rectangles to build a box, expect it to cost you more than the new 20.

For about $5 you can use an elbow fitting on the inside of the bulkhead and extend with pipe and a screen up to the surface. Glue or tape all fittings in the overflow tube to make it leak proof! (This the cheapest approach but also the loudest and is the least efficient at surface skimming.)

04/29/2006, 07:45 AM	#1
Jovreefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: In my tank Posts: 2,462	Quick plumbing help needed! Ok I've finally broken down and decided to add a sump to my 20H tank. I want to drill a new tank and move everything over but I need help. Where should I drill it? I want the hole on one side and the return on the other. If I drill near the top I wont be able to surface skim, and someone said they've herd of tanks breaking later on because of being drilled on the back side. If I drill the bottom then I will have to also cut out a hole in my stand to fit the plumbing. What would be the best place to drill this tank? __________________ Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.

04/29/2006, 08:20 AM	#2
artful-dodger Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Highlands Ranch, Colorado Posts: 3,011	Many tanks (especially bigger ones) have tempered glass in the bottom and can't be drilled. Check in advance with the manufacturer (or have the glass drilled by the store). I've not had a problem with holes causing breaks, but anything's possible. I would recommend staying at least the diameter of the hole away from any glass edge. You will need to build or buy an overflow of one type or another so that you [U]do[/] surface skim and to prevent draining too much water down to the sump and overflowing. If you have a glass shop cut the 4 rectangles to build a box, expect it to cost you more than the new 20. For about $5 you can use an elbow fitting on the inside of the bulkhead and extend with pipe and a screen up to the surface. Glue or tape all fittings in the overflow tube to make it leak proof! (This the cheapest approach but also the loudest and is the least efficient at surface skimming.) __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." -- Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 140g RR Oceanic "Ultimate" mixed reef, 37g softies, 40g RBTA tank, 65g FOWLR, 40g breeder frag, and (of course) a 29g QT! ...next up is a 240g! (Gotta go to K-Mart and buy a life...)