Drilling tank

[wingsfan]

I am getting ready to set up a 50 breeder with a 20long sump and I am getting ready to drill the tank.I am setting up a reef tank and was wondering where is the best place to drill the tank,,in the bottom and add an internal overflow or in the back and use an exterior durso directly to the sump? I am going to be using a mag 9.5 for a return pump thru a sqwd and was thinking of useing 2 one inch bulkheads for the downtubes and the mag pump for return with the 2 three quarter returns. What do you think , give me some advice before I drill.

[Reefland]

Hi wongsfan,

First are you sure the bottom isn't tempered? If it isn't I would drill the bottom with 1 - 1" drain (1" plumbing that is) which should be more than enough for a 50 gallon and a MAG 9. Drilling 2 is just going to take up more room.

[wingsfan]

Hi wongsfan,

First are you sure the bottom isn't tempered? If it isn't I would drill the bottom with 1 - 1" drain (1" plumbing that is) which should be more than enough for a 50 gallon and a MAG 9. Drilling 2 is just going to take up more room.

if I drill 2 and put a valve on both to regulate flow,if I decide a 9 is not enough flol I will have it drilled for it already. I got a good deal on a mag 36, I bought for our pond, i'll throw on there if I have to.The bottom is not tempered. Why do you suggest drilling the bottom?

[Reefland]

Drilling the bottom would just be my preference. This way your drain pipe goes straight down and only has to negotiate elbows needed to get to the sump (if any). As for drilling 2 holes; you can surely do it. I think however that it will just take up valuable space and you will not want to flow more water through a 20 gallon sump than what one 1" drain with a standpipe will take. Just my thoughts though.

[middlemark]

I'd agree with Reefland's great advice.

I drilled my 40 [tempered bottom ] on the back, and feel that the elbows required do not allow as much flow as on my other tank where the same size overflow runs through the bottom of the tank.

But I know my 40 breeder was tempered bottom [All Glass] - I'd check that out.

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If the sump is only 20g, whole tank 50g ... I would only have one 1" hole, as that should be plenty of water through the sump in my reckoning.
I personally prefer to generate water movement with a closed loop or powerheads if it's just water circulation I'm looking for - and only run the amount of water through the sump that will power the skimmer effectively.

Then again, that's my setup, my opinion. Your may differ