drilling a 250 acrylic

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jeffers

jeffers

Piranha
MFK Member
Jun 11, 2009
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southern indiana
well im cleaning up a 250 i brought home i still need to stain the stand and clean the tank. while the tank isnt in use yet i thought i might as well drill the tank so i could add a sump now if i can or in the future. where and how big would you suggest i do this? i have a spare 125 i need to see if it holds water and if so i would like to turn it into a sump or wet/dry. and if it dosent i will just make an acrylic one. so since this is my first time attempting this i need to know what size hole to drill, what size pump to use, and also where to set it up in the tank, and where is a good place to get one of the black overflow boxes. also what do i need to do to my 125 to make it effective?
 
Hole size depends on a couple things. Here's a quick progression list for you.

What is your flow rate going to be?
What size PVC will you need for this flow rate?
Do you need lines for returns as well?
Now that I have figured the PVC sizes, what size hole will the appropriate bulkhead need?
 
Pharaoh;4002128; said:
Hole size depends on a couple things. Here's a quick progression list for you.

What is your flow rate going to be?
What size PVC will you need for this flow rate?
Do you need lines for returns as well?
Now that I have figured the PVC sizes, what size hole will the appropriate bulkhead need?
Click to expand...

Sumps are good, but you do also have a bunch of canisters that you could use. I guess it is all personal preference.
 
pfffft... a 125 for a sump/wet dry = sweet... why not just make a closed looped system? the black over flows look ugly IMO... and if you're going to be drilling it yourself I don't think you necessarily the black over flows (someone chime in here if I'm wrong)
 
Glass-holes.com for the black overflow box. I just installed one on my 360 (check the link in my sig)

They have many different sizes so you can match one to your pump choice.
 
BMueller777;4002229; said:
pfffft... a 125 for a sump/wet dry = sweet... why not just make a closed looped system? the black over flows look ugly IMO... and if you're going to be drilling it yourself I don't think you necessarily the black over flows (someone chime in here if I'm wrong)
Click to expand...


I agree the overflows are ugly. The glass-holes.com overflows are very small, so they are ugly but small :)
The nice thing about overflows and the reason I installed one, is it skims the oily dirty surface water out of your tank. If the OP already has a sump handy then he's set up for a very nice filtering system for his monster tank.
 
yes i also have 3 cannister filters i could use with it. and im unsure of what kind of flow rate would be good. does 1200 or something like 1800 sound right or should i go higher? if the tank holds water i think i want 1800 maybe then also run a 525gph cannister. im testing the 125 hopefully tonight after work.
im not a huge fan of the black boxes either but with how they work is why i really want to do this is because it cleans the top of the tank witch i really want. and i havent checked out the suggested website yet but im guessing they are the ones that are only as deep as you need instead of all the way to the bottom? also how low should i drill my holes and how many for it? oh ya and what is a good pump for a 1800 flow rate at a decent price?
 
jeffers;4002753; said:
yes i also have 3 cannister filters i could use with it. and im unsure of what kind of flow rate would be good. does 1200 or something like 1800 sound right or should i go higher? if the tank holds water i think i want 1800 maybe then also run a 525gph cannister. im testing the 125 hopefully tonight after work.
im not a huge fan of the black boxes either but with how they work is why i really want to do this is because it cleans the top of the tank witch i really want. and i havent checked out the suggested website yet but im guessing they are the ones that are only as deep as you need instead of all the way to the bottom? also how low should i drill my holes and how many for it? oh ya and what is a good pump for a 1800 flow rate at a decent price?
Click to expand...


LOL go to the web site, they explain everything, where to drill the holes, how many, bla bla bla. They even sell the hole saw for glass tanks. Acrylic is easy to work with, just use a regular wood hole saw. Ya gota keep it cool though, I use a water mister thing you would use to spray plants with or clean windows. I just drilled through 1" thick acrylic, it took a while but it's done :)
As far as your turn over question (flow). Set up your drain so it can handle more water than you think you will need or right at the absoulte max level. Then if you need more flow just add another pump to your system. You don't want to go back and drill another hole because you don't have enough drainage capacity. It's easy to add another pump if needed, as your fish grow and/or stocking changes.
 
Well looks like I need to go to the site then lol. When I get home I will do that and maybe even take some pics of the tank. Thanks egon
 
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