Question about drilling holes....

daaaaaan · 06/07/2006, 10:19 PM

I have a spare 56 gallon collum tank that i have some ideas for.....but I would like to run a sump on it, but it doesnt have any holes drilled....can I take it to a local window shop, and have them drill holes along the top of the tank, with out causing it to weaken, and break under pressure when i fill it up with water?

Also, I am going to be running a 30gallon sump, so how many, and what size holes do you suggest? Also what size bulkheads?

Fiziksgeek · 06/08/2006, 11:13 AM

If you just need to get water to and from the sump, a 1" drain and maybe a couple of 3/4" returns would work just fine for a flow rate of 150-300gph. This assumes that any additional flow will be comming from power heads.

A glass shop, or even a LFS will probably drill the tank for you. But, they will charge, and the drilling will be guaranteed (in most cases) If the tank cracks, your out of luck.

rsxs1212 · 06/08/2006, 11:44 AM

or you could just go for an HOB overflow but i prefer drilled

daaaaaan · 06/08/2006, 12:09 PM

I prefer drilled too.......I am looking for a flow rate of around 500gph, so what size holes do you suggest? I want all my flow coming from my return in the sump.....

rsxs1212 · 06/08/2006, 12:14 PM

well more is always better. but most people run about a 1 inch drain and 3/4 inch returns. but you could always step up to a 1 1/2 drain and 1 inch returns or whatever. i suggest you just put ballvales on the drain and return but mainly the drain so you can fine tune the gph. megaflows use 1 inch drains and 3/4 inch return i believe and they are rated 600gph i think. i am not sure though so dont put your life on it haha

06/07/2006, 10:19 PM	#1
daaaaaan Moved On Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 125	Question about drilling holes.... I have a spare 56 gallon collum tank that i have some ideas for.....but I would like to run a sump on it, but it doesnt have any holes drilled....can I take it to a local window shop, and have them drill holes along the top of the tank, with out causing it to weaken, and break under pressure when i fill it up with water? Also, I am going to be running a 30gallon sump, so how many, and what size holes do you suggest? Also what size bulkheads?

06/08/2006, 11:44 AM	#3
rsxs1212 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bradenton Posts: 1,148	or you could just go for an HOB overflow but i prefer drilled __________________ 60% of the time it works every time Current Tank Info: 75g RR,asm g3, eheim 1250, 2 1200's one highflow maxistream mod (may do another or med flow.) , 30g sump,fuge, 4x54 T5 lighting SLR reflectors, RO/DI top off, 20L FOWLR, 10 g prop/sps dedicated

06/08/2006, 12:14 PM	#5
rsxs1212 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bradenton Posts: 1,148	well more is always better. but most people run about a 1 inch drain and 3/4 inch returns. but you could always step up to a 1 1/2 drain and 1 inch returns or whatever. i suggest you just put ballvales on the drain and return but mainly the drain so you can fine tune the gph. megaflows use 1 inch drains and 3/4 inch return i believe and they are rated 600gph i think. i am not sure though so dont put your life on it haha __________________ 60% of the time it works every time Current Tank Info: 75g RR,asm g3, eheim 1250, 2 1200's one highflow maxistream mod (may do another or med flow.) , 30g sump,fuge, 4x54 T5 lighting SLR reflectors, RO/DI top off, 20L FOWLR, 10 g prop/sps dedicated

06/08/2006, 11:13 AM	#2
Fiziksgeek Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxford, CT Posts: 1,565	If you just need to get water to and from the sump, a 1" drain and maybe a couple of 3/4" returns would work just fine for a flow rate of 150-300gph. This assumes that any additional flow will be comming from power heads. A glass shop, or even a LFS will probably drill the tank for you. But, they will charge, and the drilling will be guaranteed (in most cases) If the tank cracks, your out of luck.

06/08/2006, 12:09 PM	#4
daaaaaan Moved On Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 125	I prefer drilled too.......I am looking for a flow rate of around 500gph, so what size holes do you suggest? I want all my flow coming from my return in the sump.....