Hole drilled in the bottom

mattxhand · 02/26/2011, 05:26 PM

I have a 1" hole drilled in the bottom left side of my new tank. What can I do with it?

jmurr8484 · 02/26/2011, 05:27 PM

Use it for a closed loop

mnowicki · 02/26/2011, 06:57 PM

if you don't want to use it for a sump set up (which you should look into because there are numerous advantages), but its not for everyone... you can just seal it.

Get some aquarium safe silicone and a glass circle bigger than 1" (or different shape that completely covers the hole, make SURE its glass and not acrylic or some plastic). Silicon on the inside of the tank around the hole, put the glass circle on top and add some more silicon around it. Leakproof and if you ever decide you want to run a sump setup with the tank in the future you'll have to take ur tank apart, but u'll be able to razor the silicone off and already have a hole drilled.

jmurr8484 · 02/27/2011, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mnowicki

if you don't want to use it for a sump set up (which you should look into because there are numerous advantages), but its not for everyone... you can just seal it.

Get some aquarium safe silicone and a glass circle bigger than 1" (or different shape that completely covers the hole, make SURE its glass and not acrylic or some plastic). Silicon on the inside of the tank around the hole, put the glass circle on top and add some more silicon around it. Leakproof and if you ever decide you want to run a sump setup with the tank in the future you'll have to take ur tank apart, but u'll be able to razor the silicone off and already have a hole drilled.

Unless you are going to make an overflow box around it do not have this hole drain to the sump. Your whole tank can be emptied in the matter of minutes if there is an accident (power outage, etc.)

steelhead77 · 02/27/2011, 03:17 AM

If you do not want the hole for any reason, I would not use silicone and glass to seal it. I would find a bulkhead that fits in the hole and plug it off with that. Silicone and glass would probably work just fine, but I would feel more comfortable with a positive mechanical seal rather than a passive seal. Plus it's easier to remove if you decide you want it later.

jmurr8484 · 02/27/2011, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelhead77

If you do not want the hole for any reason, I would not use silicone and glass to seal it. I would find a bulkhead that fits in the hole and plug it off with that. Silicone and glass would probably work just fine, but I would feel more comfortable with a positive mechanical seal rather than a passive seal. Plus it's easier to remove if you decide you want it later.

I second that steelhead77

02/26/2011, 05:26 PM	#1
mattxhand Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 9	Hole drilled in the bottom I have a 1" hole drilled in the bottom left side of my new tank. What can I do with it?

02/26/2011, 05:27 PM	#2
jmurr8484 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Moreno Valley, CA Posts: 184	Use it for a closed loop __________________ God is good all the Time. (And he loves aquarium lovers).

02/26/2011, 06:57 PM	#3
mnowicki Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: North Jersey Posts: 133	if you don't want to use it for a sump set up (which you should look into because there are numerous advantages), but its not for everyone... you can just seal it. Get some aquarium safe silicone and a glass circle bigger than 1" (or different shape that completely covers the hole, make SURE its glass and not acrylic or some plastic). Silicon on the inside of the tank around the hole, put the glass circle on top and add some more silicon around it. Leakproof and if you ever decide you want to run a sump setup with the tank in the future you'll have to take ur tank apart, but u'll be able to razor the silicone off and already have a hole drilled. __________________ ~H20: RO/DI, Inst Ocn 1.020, 78 deg, ph 8.2 ~Rock:120 lbs DT ~Substrate: 120lbs DT, 60lbs DSB Sump ~Filtration: Mesh Sock->SWC 150bmk Skimmer->DSB->Carbon

02/27/2011, 03:17 AM	#5
steelhead77 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Albany, Oregon Posts: 1,117	If you do not want the hole for any reason, I would not use silicone and glass to seal it. I would find a bulkhead that fits in the hole and plug it off with that. Silicone and glass would probably work just fine, but I would feel more comfortable with a positive mechanical seal rather than a passive seal. Plus it's easier to remove if you decide you want it later. __________________ This really isn't rocket science - it's more like marine biology. Current tank info: 180 gallon AGA, 40 gallon custom sump, AquaC EV240 skimmer, PM calc reactor, 3x 250w DIY MH, PCI CL-650 Chiller, 2x Koralia 4's, 2x Koralia 2's

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