Seeking help with hooking up a canister to a drilled tank.

[yng]

I am trying to upgrade to a 3 x 1.5 x 1.5ft tank, to replace my old 2ft tank which is hooked with a canister.. im tired of seeing those acrylic tubes sticking in the aquarium .. im trying to save cost by reusing my canister instead of getting a sump.
It seemed like hooking up a drilled tank is possible provided I am able to get all the necessary plumping parts to prevent leaks.
My question is, can i have the hole drilled at the bottom of my back panel instead of the usual holes at the top? or it would be better that i have it drilled at the bottom of my tank instead?

I intend to have it drilled like the image attached. Can i use a sponge filter guard or a strainer for the bulkhead only or is it necessary to have like a box there?

 

[fishdance]

Yes you can have both the intake and return of your canister go through the bottom of your tank or a side panel, but you will need double taps (quick release) to clean filter or remove the canister without draining. Its best to place intake and return at each end of the tank providing your canister hoses are long enough. Most people use appropriate sized substrate to hide the intake and return screens (cylindrical).

 

[yng]

Yes you can have both the intake and return of your canister go through the bottom of your tank or a side panel, but you will need double taps (quick release) to clean filter or remove the canister without draining. Its best to place intake and return at each end of the tank providing your canister hoses are long enough. Most people use appropriate sized substrate to hide the intake and return screens (cylindrical).

Which is more desirable? Does it makes any difference with the efficiency? This is the layout which im considering to do. Drilling the bottom of my tank means i have to drill my cabinet which is extra work.. Also im planning to use something like that as an inlet to my cannister then having a return with something like that.
Is drilling a hole on the top left corner a good option or should i just have the return pipe going above the tank? Appreciate any suggestions..

Also, why does most ppl have their holes drilled at the top of the tank? most of the time middle of it with an overflow box..

 

[fishdance]

It's entirely your choice. People go through the bottom to provide a completely clean appearance on tanks you walk around (in center of room). You don't see any intake or return, hoses or electrical cables.

If your going through the back, it's far easier to put a vinyl sheet backing to hide everything. Make sure the intake can't suck in air, factor in water change levels too.

You will need double taps - like Eheim, ISTA, UNS Delta etc. As you need to remove canister for maintenance.

 

[yng]

It's entirely your choice. People go through the bottom to provide a completely clean appearance on tanks you walk around (in center of room). You don't see any intake or return, hoses or electrical cables.

If your going through the back, it's far easier to put a vinyl sheet backing to hide everything. Make sure the intake can't suck in air, factor in water change levels too.

You will need double taps - like Eheim, ISTA, UNS Delta etc. As you need to remove canister for maintenance.

My aquarium is actually placed outside of my house close to a wall so I can actually just make a simple box to cover the back if necessary. How do they normally do the return pipe? My aquarium does not have a cover because I'm suing those lights that clips on the side panel.. I am not really concerned with pipes showing at the back.. My aim is that I don't see those gadgets in my tank when I'm viewing it from the front.. I will also be painting the back and the bottom if my tank black..

So do you mean I can have my inlet drilled at the back but my return has to be drilled at the bottom to have a really clean look in the tank? Not sure how it works.. Hope you can guide me through.. Thanks..

 

[fishdance]

Going through the bottom, all the prefilter screens on both the intake and return are covered - hidden by substrate so you can't see how the tank is filtered. It's a total mystery, all you see is a decorated fish tank with fish swimming about.

Naturally for your tank you should do whatever suits you best however you will still see bulkhead fittings and pre filters screens on a side wall. You could try to hide this behind decor but you could also hide a standard canister intake or use a clear glass intake just as easily. Most canisters have intake and return going over the tank wall (through lids).

Whichever way you go, be mindful not to get air sucked into the canister intake, the draw down or a vortex can occur if your intake is too high. If your prefilter screen is too small, it can easily clog. If it's large, it's harder to hide and ugly. And make sure you can remove the canister without having to drain the tank. Some brands of canister have detachable shut off valves built in (the same function as double taps). The valve you pictured wouldn't work.

 

[yng]

Can you give me an idea of a hidden return from the bottom ? My imagine is that i will have water gushing out from the bottom of my tank returning to my tank.. or i either have a pipe inside my tank.. i dont really have an idea how its gonna be like..

A glass intake will still be visible although not clear.. since i will be painting the back of tank black.. i assumed those fittings will not that visible if i use black fittings plus i will put some decorations there to cover it up as well.. also im thinking of making something like this for my tank

..do you think it will be possible for me to use the return pipe if i choose to have my return from the bottom for this purpose? or am i risking sand going into my canister ?

I don't quiet get the part where you said " the draw down or a vortex can occur if your intake is too high" . Do you mind elaborating?

Yes, i know what you are referring. Something like the Fluval 404 where you can completely detach the inlet and outlet at once by pulling a lever. The valve i showed was to cut off water from the intake so i can detach the pipes and clean them as im sure u aware those pipes gets really nasty after a month or 2.. haha =P

 

[fishdance]

I would not use any power filter on a tank with sand. A simple air driven sponge is best, or a flat sponge sheet under the sand to create an air driven undergravel filter. A sand volcano or sand waterfall is simple to achieve with air.

You can try using a fine prefilter on a canister intake kept high off the bottom but it will eventually get ruined by sand. Even HOB filters get damaged by sand. It's up to you of course. Maybe keep a spare impeller set or spare canister ready.