Buying drilled tanks/with sumps off Craigs List?

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decoy50

Polypterus
MFK Member
Jan 25, 2012
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VA
I've bought a few tanks off Craig's List and I know what to look for - scratches, condition of seams etc. I'm looking to try a tank w/ a sump. I know nothing of drilling a tank so I would want to buy one pre-drilled.

What are the things I should look for/avoid when buying a drilled-tank on CL. Anything particluar about the bulkheads or overflows? I'm a sump newbie.
 
I would check seals around overflow box, go for 3 holes system (in,out and safety if one of those clogs), scratches on bottom of overflow box.. In case of buying i would also change all pipes and bulkheads for new (i like to know what i have).. If there is possibility-check if tank leaks before buying..

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Thanks D Wolf. Ive been really interested in going the sump direction for a while - for large tanks or saltwater they seem to be the best way to go, I'm just scared to death of a leak. I recently had a canister filter leak on me, luckily I caught it really quick or it could have drained my tank!

I live close to a Naval base & with deployments, CL is always loaded with tanks & I always disregard the plumbed tanks, but I want to get all the tips I can from experinced folks before I make a purchase.
 
No problem :) I dont own the sump system (i dont know why not?).. In case of leaking through bulkheads it wont empty half of the tank like canisters but just an overflow box.. :) (just be sure not to put pipe which leads back to tank, too deep under the water surface - half inch is more then enough..or even better, dont put it under water surface at all..but you wont be able to sleep near aquarium:) )

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see it up and running if at all possible first... pita to then drain ect.. but it will give you an idea of how its set-up to work... there are different ways to run sumps.. being new to it i'de check out "under the hood" and see how it runs first if you are buying a "set-up" otherwise an empty tank I would replace the gaskets ect as well and get farmilular w/ everything and how its suppose to work, strip it down and rebuild salvaging what you can of the original work. otherwise your looking for the same things you would in a regular tank. no cracks, leaks ect...

And just to warn you when we first set-up our 120 drilled ( new) we ran into a few leaks w/ plumbing right off the bat... so don't be surprised if you do get a few minor leaks at first until you get it just right. making sure you have all the gaskets ect you need to begin with will go a long way towards having minimal set-up issues. Now that we've had the set-up and moved on to another DIY filter project... it's easy. "just do it" lol if you understand filtration...ect you'll figure it out, and figure out what works best for you.

And personally I would hesistate to buy an owner drilled tank unless I saw the holes stripped of any and all bulkheads ect to make sure no cracks/chips ect. unless I saw it up and running 100%

And a warning.. once you go w/ a sump... you'll hate everything before it as far as filtration goes lol.
 
Haha thanks for the great answer! I really need to do my research on what type of system I'm looking for. I see the advantages of having the sump - greater area for BB, can hide equip, etc. I'm getting more comfortable with the idea as I read more.
 
Drilling a tank, although it sounds daunting, is really easy.
I drilled my first one a few months ago, and have now drilled at least 6, from 20s, 50s and a 120.
I only had one mishap, and that was a small tank, (20 gallons, thin glass) and it was because I hurried.
If you google MFK member uaru joey's youtube video, How to drill a glass aquarium, you'd be amazed at how easy it is.
Just make sure you get a good diamond drill bit, the size you plan on using for all your tanks.
I picked one from jehmco to fit a 1.5" bulkhead, and will never go back to none drilled tanks again.

 
Agree with the above and I cracked my first 20 yesterday, but only because I misplaced my diamond tipped saw and tried using my wood one. I actually would have been fine if I hadn't rushed it.... My own fault.

Drilled quite a few tanks and sumps and its very easy with the right tools. Acrylic is super easy and any non tempered glass is pretty easy too.


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