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To Drill, or not ?

webworm

webworm

Member
Joined
25 Apr 2008
Messages
215
Having visited several local aquatic retailers. I've begun to wonder if a DIY version of the fluval vicenza is possible, using clear acrylic tubes for the filter inlets and outlets into the tank.

The question is will it simply be to difficult to ensuret that the drilled holes in the bottom of the tank are correctly sealed to prevent leakage?
 
Is it a good idea ?
2 holes, or 4.

I'm looking at a 120x45x45 braceless optiwhite tank.
 
I've read also that only certain filters support this kind of plumbing arrangement, is this true ? Down to water pressure being increased if taken from the bottom of the tank ?

I've had more details on getting the base of the tank drilled,
The outside of any hole should not be less than 25mm from the edge of the glass. If tank connectors are to be used then you should leave approximately 50mm from the edge of the glass to allow room for the tank connector.
Click to expand...
Makes sense to me, I'll be looking at using bent clear arcylic for inlets and outlets, and supporting dual filters.
 
webworm said:
I've read also that only certain filters support this kind of plumbing arrangement, is this true ? Down to water pressure being increased if taken from the bottom of the tank ?
Click to expand...

Couldn't comment on that, but I did watch a youtube video about doing just this and not to try and drill tempered glass as it will shatter, and you'll need a diamond drill cutter.
 
Does having a drilled bottom actually aid you, sure, you can remove lilly pipes going over the edge of the aquarium, but surely it introduces restrictions on the layouts available for hard scaping, and similarly could dictate plant placement.

I'd appreciate any thoughts on the aesthetics ?
 
Hi webworm,
ive got a pre drilled studio 900 tank and was bought as such to keep as much pipework hidden from the kids fingers!
However you are adding limitations to scaping and once drilled you cant move the pipework to suit a layout. Bear in mind also if you ever want to change the tanks position within a room, if you drill one side this will be visable from certain angles and may be unsightly.
Advantages though are not having to prime external filters as gravity does it for you!... and obviously no external plumbing.
Personally id prefer the versatility of a non drilled base in future.
Cheerio,
Ady.
 
Thanks for insight.
I think I'm going to abandon the idea of having a drilled tank.
I've got some ideas, about something different. More details soon.
 
I've have drilled tanks in my fish house, I've drilled Loads for people. I use tank connectors from a plumbers merchants. You simply but you clear pipes over them, if your going to use a canister filter then there's no problem taking off the pipes to clean them, if you were thinking of using a sump the. You would have to empty the tank prior to removing the clear standpipes for cleaning otherwise your sump would need to be bigger than the tank
 
Weirs used to be popular even on freshwater tanks years ago but this still requires drilling and they can be a bugger to keep clean.

Another option is a HOB overflow:

http://www.cpraquatic.com/products/overflows.html

Or build your own:

http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/overflow.html

If you've got deep pockets this looks neat (interesting!) but maybe fragile - I'd probably break it within a couple of months: :lol:

http://reefbuilders.com/2010/06/07/hand ... aquariums/

And now this idea. Needs drilling the tank again but looks like quite a neat solution, would look even better if it could be done with clear acrylic tubes:

http://reefbuilders.com/2011/12/20/oceanlife-overflow/
 
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