Need advice on drilling a new 75g :)

[Kenn]

Well ... As some of you at the 2011 Swap may know I was fortunate enough to win the 75g tank (Supplied from Gerbers) in the raffle 

I am very excited about this as I have had to post pone getting a larger tank for some time due to the family budget.

Now that I have this nice tank I want to go with a drilled setup. I have always had overflow boxes so have no experience with drilled. I wouldn't even know where to place the holes or what size to drill (I know they don't go on the bottom)

I don't want to screw this up, so ANY advice on this subject would be appreciated (parts needed, techniques, etc)

Thanks!!

[Boonjob]

There are some great videos on you tube about drilling the glass... Once you figure out what size bulkheads you want to use, you can get the diamond glass bits off ebay super cheap, and just make sure you have the area submerged in water when you drill(plumber's putty is great for creating a area to hold water around where you are to drill); helps you place duct tape on the opposite side of where you are drilling to help stabilize the surface when you break through the other side as well as catching the circle you cut so you dont have to take your hand off the drill . If you don't have a steady hand you can get a magnetic brace; most bits come with a jig(however I have never found the need) and just drill slow and steady as long as you let the weight of the drill do the drilling and you keep it straight you will be just fine...


I personally think one wide and narrow overflow located at the center of your tank would be the best bet,but that's just me.

[Boonjob]

I guess that should read one long and narrow over flow...doesn't make much sense to use both wide and narrow to describe an object.

[Kenn]

Anyone using  a coast to coast return and want to share any info ??

Just thought I should also consider this type of return as well since it is a new dry tank.

Changed my mind after a little more research

[Wall_Tank]

I don't want to screw this up, so ANY advice on this subject would be appreciated (parts needed, techniques, etc)

Just bring the tank over to my place....   Then you don't have to worry about screwing it up.  I'll refund the price of that raffle ticket 

Do you care if you see pipe?

Check out Lazy's build thread.....towards the end you see his tank shot how he did the overflow.   He put in a second smaller pipe, that runs under a full syphon, then the larger pipe is only emergency.

[slandis3]

You need to make sure the tank is not tempered before you drill it. Most likely it is only tempered o the bottom but I would check for a tag on the bottom if the tank or email marineland and ask if they are tempered just to be safe.

[Kenn]

You need to make sure the tank is not tempered before you drill it. Most likely it is only tempered o the bottom but I would check for a tag on the bottom if the tank or email marineland and ask if they are tempered just to be safe.

There is a BIG sticker on the bottom that indicates it is tempered. I will check with marineland just to make sure it is bottom only. Thanks for the suggestion

[cyberwollf]

Talk to a shop.  I had Joel drill 3 holes in mine for coast to coast with triple drains.  I have also seen marine solutions offer to drill. 

Here's the part in my thread where I did the overflow

http://www.ohioreef.com/index.php?topic=7590.60

[Kenn]

Thanks Wes

I was 1 up on ya ... I sent Joel a message today to see if it was something he would do.

I really like your set up. hows the C2C working out for ya?

[cyberwollf]

Thanks Wes

I was 1 up on ya ... I sent Joel a message today to see if it was something he would do.

I really like your set up. hows the C2C working out for ya?

Its a nice setup, dead quiet.... No complaints.  If you are going to do it, I'd pay extra for the "smoked" glass. it really helps hide the pvc elbows.

[Kenn]

Its a nice setup, dead quiet.... No complaints.  If you are going to do it, I'd pay extra for the "smoked" glass. it really helps hide the pvc elbows.

Where did you pick up your smoked glass ?

[UDJustin]

kettering glass has the smoked glass thats what I did the 30 gallon cube in too

[DarinSchmidt]

Hey UDJ, you have any pics on here or can you post any of your 30g? I'd like to see it if you wouldnt mind.

[lazylivin]

Kenn if you want to drill yourself I have a holesaw that will cut  a hole for 1.5" bulk head. Cutting is a piece of cake. The main thing is to clamp a piece of wood inside so when you go through it will not chip out. I also cut a template in another piece of wood for the hole saw to fit in that way it doesn't walk on you when starting the hole. Then just have someone hold the hose on it to keep it cool. You can bring the tank over and we can do it together or borrow saw and do at your house.

[Kenn]

Thanks Brian, much appreciated

Could anyone provide some info on what the benefits of a C2C overflow be to a standard drilled overflow?

[slandis3]

Our new tank has an external coast to coast ( sorta the over flows don't go completely across the tank) it gives you more room in the tank. Even if you go with an internal c2c you still save room due to not having the overflow box taking up a complete corner of the tank. The most important thing I like about them is they give more surface skimming area.

[UDJustin]

Hey UDJ, you have any pics on here or can you post any of your 30g? I'd like to see it if you wouldnt mind.

Yes my 30 gallon build is under build threads and my 75 gallon was TOTQ the first time it was done if you would like to check that too.

[cyberwollf]

Its all about skimming surface area. Plus, you save space in the tank like Mike said.  You are welcome to come see mine anytime.  I actually drilled the Lockline to go through the calfo, but not sure if i'd do that again

[Kenn]

WOW ..alot to take in. I feel like I am just starting out again

I LOVE the thought of all the surface skimming. I need to educate myself on all the plumbing that would be required though (electrical is SO much easier )

[Wall_Tank]

Kenn if you want to drill yourself I have a holesaw that will cut  a hole for 1.5" bulk head. Cutting is a piece of cake. The main thing is to clamp a piece of wood inside so when you go through it will not chip out. I also cut a template in another piece of wood for the hole saw to fit in that way it doesn't walk on you when starting the hole. Then just have someone hold the hose on it to keep it cool. You can bring the tank over and we can do it together or borrow saw and do at your house.

Did you steal that method from me     That works great..

C2C gives you better surface skimming....... but an internal C2C takes up alot of space. 

[thepipbull]

Kenn here is a good DIY article you might want to check out

http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx

[referinohio]

I will be drilling one here also in the not too distant future. There is a website called glassholes.com you might want to check out.
You can order a kit that includes an internal overflow box, bulkhead(s), template and the diamond hole saw.

[bkvreef]

I will be drilling one here also in the not too distant future. There is a website called glassholes.com you might want to check out.
You can order a kit that includes an internal overflow box, bulkhead(s), template and the diamond hole saw.

I used their video in drilling the holes in my old tank.  Skip the hose!  put a circle of plumbers putty around the desired spot.  Fill it with water and start drilling.  Hold the bit at an angle to strat until it gets started and then lower it so the drill is perpendicular to the tank.
I put some duct tape on the underneath so when the hole was completely drilled the extra piece didn't fall down onto the opposite side.

[Kenn]

Thanks for the information everyone!

Now I may have to start a post on a new sump as my existing one was custom made (not by me) to fit under the 37g I now have

[cyberwollf]

Thanks for the information everyone!

Now I may have to start a post on a new sump as my existing one was custom made (not by me) to fit under the 37g I now have

You just thought you won a "free" tank.  Your going to spend 2x the tank price for the "other' stuff lol

[Kenn]

You just thought you won a "free" tank.  Your going to spend 2x the tank price for the "other' stuff lol

aint that the truth

fortunately I have the 37g setup like a hot rod for such a small tank (IMO)... 400w MH, SS 220 skimmer, mag7 return pump etc.

[Kenn]

Ok... now I'm looking at overflow kits from Glassholes.com (if you have a better suggestion please let me know).

My question is what size should I get for this 75g tank?

My options are a 700 GPH   or a 1500 GPH.

I am planning on using my new Mag7 for a return pump.

Also, someone educate me... what size should the return pipe be?  1/2" ?

[Erik72]

When I drilled my 90g a few months ago, I sent glassholes an e-mail and asked them for advice on what overflow to get that matched my return pump.  They returned my e-mail on the same day.  Drilling with their kit was very simple. 

[Boonjob]

Ok... now I'm looking at overflow kits from Glassholes.com (if you have a better suggestion please let me know).

My question is what size should I get for this 75g tank?

My options are a 700 GPH   or a 1500 GPH.

I am planning on using my new Mag7 for a return pump.

Also, someone educate me... what size should the return pipe be?  1/2" ?

I like to go bigger on all mystuff(for expansion), so I personally would go with the 1500...but it do believe that would be overkill and the 700 would work just fine... chances are your overflow is only gonna run as fast as your return pump is(as it controls the flow) and depending on how far down you run your mag 7 below the DT's water line depends on how fast it pumps... mine runs at about 580gpg atm on my 55gal....

As for return pipe I used 3/4 pipe...if you had the space you could go up to 1" on the return, larger pipes create less friction. A 1" pipe wouldn't have much pressure at the exit but would be a higher flow rate.   Just keep in mind a 1" pipe over a 1/2" will hold significantly more water in the pipe so you will need to compensate for this in your sump's max fill line which may drop your operating level in your pump chamber too low and lead to pump failure, extremely frequent top offs, or in my case lots of microbubbles. I personally could not use 1" pipe on my sump because it would leave the water in the pump chamber too low and I would have to cut my pump's return down to about 300gph to compensate for it(loosing all advantages of using 1" pipe).

[Kenn]

When I drilled my 90g a few months ago, I sent glassholes an e-mail and asked them for advice on what overflow to get that matched my return pump.  They returned my e-mail on the same day.  Drilling with their kit was very simple.

I followed your suggestion and sent them an e-mail.

They recommended a 700gph overflow kit and a 3/4" return kit

Thanks