Can a Canister filter be hooked up to a drilled tank

Plug or cap the holes. It would depend on how big the plumbing needs to be on whether or not the canister would work. Capping the holes would be easy.

I have seen some fx5s plumbed into some acrylic tanks. Just need to find the right size bulkhead for the holes and get some hose clamps. You are honestly better off with a sump though, do some research and learn how to set them up! I have sumps on my 120, 270, and 360. I also use a 406, fx5, fx5 respectively on each of the tanks with inline uvs.

Thought of this thread: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?501847-FX5-and-Bulkheads

It may not have the answers your looking for but there is a good example of a successful setup of using a canister on a drilled tank as well as a few ideas.

Not my pic, but it can be done here's an example.

It depends on how your overflows are set up really. I'd block the holes up and put the intake for the FX5 in there along with the heaters to keep them out of sight.


Actually, if it were me I'd sell the FX5 and set up a sump. Being unfamiliar with something is no reason to avoid it, get learning!!

I don't think I'd bother hard-plumbing them into the tank, perhaps the returns if you really want to (although the FX5 returns are pretty cool, I actually use one for the return from the sump on my 400L tank), but for the intakes I'd just put them in the overflow box (presuming it is a regular full-height corner overflow) along with the heaters and block up the holes for the overflow drain either with a piece of glass siliconed in place or an end cap attached to the bulkhead.