downsizin tanks

[Reefdude]

well the 75 is too much right now with school, a new baby, and only one income. So I am gonna downsize back to original 30 I started with (the circle of life) and I wanna to things different and better this time.

1. I have an external overflow but would like to get the 30 gallon (glass) drilled for an overflow elbow (90 degree) turned upright in the corner. Do I need only 1 or do I have to have 2 oveflows??? I will be runnin a mag 7 for return flow. Also...where in SA can I get holes drilled in an aquarium.

2. I dont wanna lose all my macros/mangroves so I was gonna do a 10 gallon sump underneath. Will acrylic bond with glass and if so what do i need to use to get them to bond.

thanks for all the input. :cry:

[Reefdude]

I was gonna drill 1 hole but I dont know if I should run 2 or just stick with one. Also, where are you getting all your plumbing supplies??

[TexasState]

When you drill, just remember that it's harder to drill thinner glass.

>>Will acrylic bond with glass and if so what do i need to use to get them >>to bond.
No they do not bond, you'll have to fit sure that the acrylic make a tight fit, and slap on a bunch of 100% aquarium safe silicone. You can reinforce them with small glass rail to slide the acrylic in.

[Tim Marvin]

Acrylic and glass won't bond. Silicon doesn't hold acrylic very well. Why do you need this bonded?
Use two 1 inch, just in case. It is always better to overbuild than under. If one gets clogged and you only have one, then what? 1 inch are good size overflows for a 30 gallon. Remember not to drill too close to the top because the water level will be about 1/2 to 1 inch above your elbow. You may also consider a mag 5, or put a ball valve on the outflow side of the mag-7 in case you need to cut back the flow. You could also split the return and have it return in a couple different places around the tank. You probably won't need additional flow in the tank.

[Reefdude]

the glass and acrylic will be bonded for all the baffles in the 10 gallon refugium

[Tim Marvin]

The acylic and glass won't be bonded....... :cry: you can use the light grate from Home Depot and build a self standing box inside or you can use the acrylic to build a box that fits tight in the tank unfortunately nothing will bond the two surfaces together (that I am aware of). Also the screen will work to hold thing in. I just thought of something........Hmmmm..... Try a hot glue gun to see if it will bond glass and acrylic......Probably not, but I don't think I have tried that....

[Triggerman]

i don't want to discourage you, but you're not going to be happy downsizing. you might be satisfied for a while but you can't have near the inhabitants in the 30 as you do in the 75. more than likely you're going to just want to reset back up the 75 in a few months. once you have the itch there's no getting rid of it. the best solution would to be to just set both of them up, just kidding. don't make any hasty decisions.