Drilling Tank? Clueless

[Faccia di Pesce]

So I decided to buy a new 40GB and drill holes but clueless. I want to put a sump and don't want to use the HOB overflow.

I watched a lot of videos but none seem to explain what to use in the hole? Do I have to buy from a reef supply or can I find something from Home Depot? How big should the hole be for both overflow and return? Where should I put them? etc.

Any links or suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[HuduVudu]

You will probably put a bulkhead in the hole.

There overflows that you can buy that are pre-built like this one that are very nice.

Eclipse M Overflow Box (800 GPH)

Quiet, Slim, Plug & Play The Eclipse aquarium overflow system consists of a slim black box that is mounted inside of your tank and a clear external box that mounts outside of your tank, to transport water down to your sump with as little noise generated as possible. The DIY project only takes a...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Or you can come up with something of your own design like this that I have on my tank.

 

[Faccia di Pesce]

You will probably put a bulkhead in the hole.

There overflows that you can buy that are pre-built like this one that are very nice.

Eclipse M Overflow Box (800 GPH)

Quiet, Slim, Plug & Play The Eclipse aquarium overflow system consists of a slim black box that is mounted inside of your tank and a clear external box that mounts outside of your tank, to transport water down to your sump with as little noise generated as possible. The DIY project only takes a...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Or you can come up with something of your own design like this that I have on my tank.

Thanks. I just found out the name of the pvc piece that goes in the hole :). then saw you response. So it's called a bulkhead. Can I buy that at Home Depot or is it specifically an aquarium item? How big does the hole need to be drilled? Thanks.

 

[HuduVudu]

Thanks. I just found out the name of the pvc piece that goes in the hole :). then saw you response. So it's called a bulkhead. Can I buy that at Home Depot or is it specifically an aquarium item? How big does the hole need to be drilled? Thanks.

You can't get bulkheads at Home Despot. You might be able to get them from your LFS. Some do carry these. If you can't get them at an LFS, pretty much any online aquarium store will have them.

The hole size is fully dependent on how much water you need to move through them. There may be calculators for this. I think that the link I gave you is rated for 800gph, so this will give you an idea of what size your open loop (return) pump should be, or vice versa. It is fully a function of your return pump.

Another term you should be familar with is "Bean Animal" this is a type of overflow. Follow that rabbit hole it might give you some ideas.

EDIT: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/search?w=bulkhead fittings

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

I went with a FIJI and I had to modify the trim to have my water line higher than the bottom of the trim. Eclipse is typically a solid box. Buy a quality bit or you will rebuy a tank! Bit size will depend on the bulkhead you choose but typical is 1" on the drains and 3/4" on return lines. I would go with BRS as they size everything out for ya.

 

[WVNed]

I can get bulkheads at Tractor Supply Co I have used for home made overflows or you can get a kit that comes with everything including the drill bit and bulkheads.
Go to Bulk Reef Supply and poke around in the plumbing section. In the details are drill bit sizes for different bulkheads and all kinds of nice things to know.

 

[Faccia di Pesce]

I can get bulkheads at Tractor Supply Co I have used for home made overflows or you can get a kit that comes with everything including the drill bit and bulkheads.
Go to Bulk Reef Supply and poke around in the plumbing section. In the details are drill bit sizes for different bulkheads and all kinds of nice things to know.

Will check it out thanks!!!!