How to sump it

ahud · 10/06/2010, 02:01 PM

Hello,

How do you setup a sump on a tank that does not have overflows?

I have one of the 40 breeders from the petco sale. Is it ok to get it drilled?

Thought I wanted to keep it simple, but I think the sump would be worth it even if all I used it for was a heater and some chaeto. Plus I could keep my ATO hooked up to my sump.

mutateddogbone · 10/06/2010, 02:06 PM

there are HOB overflows you can buy, but they are not as reliable as a drilled one. you will have to check the manufacturer for your specific tank to see if the side walls on the tank you purchased are tempered or not.

chimmike · 10/06/2010, 02:37 PM

definitely worthwhile to get it drilled. Shoot, you could get it drilled and build an external overflow box as well.

ahud · 10/06/2010, 02:37 PM

If I was going to do it I would drill. I have heard some scary stuff about the HOB overflows.

Honestly, is it more economical to drill it and buy the overflow? Would I be better off buying a reef ready forty breeder?

sjmantis · 10/06/2010, 02:44 PM

Check out my tank, I drilled my 40b

jeff@zina.com · 10/06/2010, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahud

How do you setup a sump on a tank that does not have overflows?

You add overflows.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahud

I have one of the 40 breeders from the petco sale. Is it ok to get it drilled?

Yup. All panes are drillable, sides and bottom. Or you can drill yourself, Bulk Reef Supply (Sponsors section) has what you need.

Jeff

ahud · 10/06/2010, 03:07 PM

Does it matter if you drill the bottom or the back?

I think I'm going to use the stand that come with my 65gallon and it does not have bottom. Drilled bottom just has a cleaner look in my opinion.

AZ-Alan · 10/06/2010, 03:15 PM

Just make sure you don't attempt to drill through a panel that is tempered.

Alysiak00 · 10/06/2010, 03:23 PM

over flow setup should be okay just check, check, check, and o ya.....RE CHECK the fittings

ahud · 10/06/2010, 03:31 PM

Does it matter if you drill the bottom or the back?

evsalty · 10/06/2010, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahud

Does it matter if you drill the bottom or the back?

The Aqueon 40br tanks from Petco are 100% drillable on all paines of glass. Here is mine.

ahud · 10/06/2010, 03:51 PM

My fault guys, I was not clear on my question. Sorry.

What I meant to ask is there any pros and cons for drilling on the back or the bottom?

evsalty · 10/06/2010, 03:58 PM

Bottom drilling allows you to keep the tank closer to the wall. It also has more straight shot both for the drain and return so less restrictions.

Side drilling is necessary when a tank has a tempered bottom and is why many side drilled tanks are drilled on the side. But with side drilling you can save room in the tank it self by drilling high and using a smll overflow box.

ahud · 10/06/2010, 04:19 PM

Thanks you.

I am going to drill it on the bottom. How do I know what size holes I should drill?

I already have an Eheim 1260 return pump I want to use.

aleonn · 10/06/2010, 04:46 PM

I got two 1.5" drains and two 3/4" returns drilled in my 180. RC has a drain/overflow plumbing size calculator on the main page.

trb · 10/06/2010, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahud

Thanks you.

I am going to drill it on the bottom. How do I know what size holes I should drill?

I already have an Eheim 1260 return pump I want to use.

You base it on the bulkheads you are buying to put in the holes. Usually the bulkheads are 1" or 3/4" inside diameter, but the holes are larger. They will usually say what size hole to drill if you buy them online. I got mine locally, and a local guy had the necessary diamond hole saw that I borrowed.

Eurobeaner · 10/06/2010, 06:57 PM

i got my drills off of ebay. $8 shipped for 2. i drilled 4 holes with one, 0 issues. no sense to pay $25 for a drill you'll use once. unless you want an all in one kit with the internal overflow box and drills, then go glass-holes... its just expensive

ahud · 10/06/2010, 07:06 PM

I'm going to see if a local marine store will drill it for me. I don't have the drill or the bit.

If they don't do them, then I will have to buy both.

evsalty · 10/06/2010, 09:09 PM

Call some glass shops. They usually charge $10 per hole so I have heard. Also you can check with your lfs.

mitsuklypse84 · 10/06/2010, 09:24 PM

1.5in on the drain is the way to go! you can have less flow and it will drain fine.if you go smaller and decide its not enough your sol.

ahud · 10/06/2010, 09:39 PM

I'm having a hard time deciding where to drill....

I like the look of having a small overflow near the top because you keep a lot of tank space, but I also like being able to keep the tank close to the wall.

Opinions?

ahud · 10/06/2010, 09:43 PM

another thought,

If I drill on the back, where would you put the overflow? In the center? off to one side?

lordofthereef · 10/06/2010, 09:51 PM

Another pro with side drilling is that of you spring a leak you will only be able to drain the tank to the lowest point at which the leak is. Bottom drilled means it will drain the whole tank. Not that I feel you need to worry a whole lot about this, bit it is something to consider. Future tanks of mine will surely either be back drilled or have a coast to cost overflow

ahud · 10/06/2010, 10:27 PM

You would have to spring a leak in your plumbing AND in your overflow right?

I think I have changed my mind and I am just going to drill it on the back. I will get a lot more room out of the tank that way.

So would you do it in the middle or off to one side?

10/06/2010, 02:01 PM	#1
ahud Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 519	How to sump it Hello, How do you setup a sump on a tank that does not have overflows? I have one of the 40 breeders from the petco sale. Is it ok to get it drilled? Thought I wanted to keep it simple, but I think the sump would be worth it even if all I used it for was a heater and some chaeto. Plus I could keep my ATO hooked up to my sump.

10/06/2010, 02:06 PM	#2
mutateddogbone Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Posts: 1,016	there are HOB overflows you can buy, but they are not as reliable as a drilled one. you will have to check the manufacturer for your specific tank to see if the side walls on the tank you purchased are tempered or not. __________________ 2013 Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society - President An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure Current Tank Info: 75g braceless SPS dominated w/ 50g Frag Tank

10/06/2010, 02:37 PM	#3
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	definitely worthwhile to get it drilled. Shoot, you could get it drilled and build an external overflow box as well. __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

10/06/2010, 03:23 PM	#9
Alysiak00 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: N. Ridgeville, Ohio Posts: 1,835	over flow setup should be okay just check, check, check, and o ya.....RE CHECK the fittings __________________ 40Br/40Br Sump-2xMp40's, mag 9.5, 250w Maristar w/ Bluewave Ballast, DIY stand, SRO1000, 2xBrs Deluxe Reactors -“Ocean: A body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for man - who has no gills.” - Ambrose Bierce

10/06/2010, 09:51 PM	#23
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	Another pro with side drilling is that of you spring a leak you will only be able to drain the tank to the lowest point at which the leak is. Bottom drilled means it will drain the whole tank. Not that I feel you need to worry a whole lot about this, bit it is something to consider. Future tanks of mine will surely either be back drilled or have a coast to cost overflow __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

10/06/2010, 02:44 PM	#5
sjmantis On the cliff by the sea.. Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 561	Check out my tank, I drilled my 40b

10/06/2010, 03:07 PM	#7
ahud Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 519	Does it matter if you drill the bottom or the back? I think I'm going to use the stand that come with my 65gallon and it does not have bottom. Drilled bottom just has a cleaner look in my opinion.

10/06/2010, 03:15 PM	#8
AZ-Alan Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 124	Just make sure you don't attempt to drill through a panel that is tempered.

10/06/2010, 03:31 PM	#10
ahud Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 519	Does it matter if you drill the bottom or the back?

10/06/2010, 03:51 PM	#12
ahud Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 519	My fault guys, I was not clear on my question. Sorry. What I meant to ask is there any pros and cons for drilling on the back or the bottom?

10/06/2010, 03:58 PM	#13
evsalty hmmmmmm Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NW Mesa, AZ Posts: 3,531	Bottom drilling allows you to keep the tank closer to the wall. It also has more straight shot both for the drain and return so less restrictions. Side drilling is necessary when a tank has a tempered bottom and is why many side drilled tanks are drilled on the side. But with side drilling you can save room in the tank it self by drilling high and using a smll overflow box.

10/06/2010, 04:19 PM	#14
ahud Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 519	Thanks you. I am going to drill it on the bottom. How do I know what size holes I should drill? I already have an Eheim 1260 return pump I want to use.

10/06/2010, 04:46 PM	#15
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	I got two 1.5" drains and two 3/4" returns drilled in my 180. RC has a drain/overflow plumbing size calculator on the main page.

10/06/2010, 06:57 PM	#17
Eurobeaner Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 329	i got my drills off of ebay. $8 shipped for 2. i drilled 4 holes with one, 0 issues. no sense to pay $25 for a drill you'll use once. unless you want an all in one kit with the internal overflow box and drills, then go glass-holes... its just expensive

10/06/2010, 07:06 PM	#18
ahud Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 519	I'm going to see if a local marine store will drill it for me. I don't have the drill or the bit. If they don't do them, then I will have to buy both.

10/06/2010, 09:09 PM	#19
evsalty hmmmmmm Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NW Mesa, AZ Posts: 3,531	Call some glass shops. They usually charge $10 per hole so I have heard. Also you can check with your lfs.

10/06/2010, 09:24 PM	#20
mitsuklypse84 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 11	1.5in on the drain is the way to go! you can have less flow and it will drain fine.if you go smaller and decide its not enough your sol.

10/06/2010, 09:39 PM	#21
ahud Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 519	I'm having a hard time deciding where to drill.... I like the look of having a small overflow near the top because you keep a lot of tank space, but I also like being able to keep the tank close to the wall. Opinions?

10/06/2010, 09:43 PM	#22
ahud Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 519	another thought, If I drill on the back, where would you put the overflow? In the center? off to one side?

10/06/2010, 10:27 PM	#24
ahud Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 519	You would have to spring a leak in your plumbing AND in your overflow right? I think I have changed my mind and I am just going to drill it on the back. I will get a lot more room out of the tank that way. So would you do it in the middle or off to one side?

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