Question: To Drill or Not to...

[demodiki]

So, I have a 90 gallon, glass aquarium that is drilled on the bottom. I am thinking a closed loop would be the best thing for flow. It is NOT drilled in the back. Should I take the chance and get it drilled? Does it really matter for the closed loop?

[caferacermike]

Do you have any idea of the manufacturer? I'm wondering if it's tempered. If I was a betting fella I'd say the back is not if the bottom wasn't. I have friends here in ATX that can drill it cheap if you'd like.

[demodiki]

It is the prestige model of the Perfecto brand.

[caferacermike]

Big Josh what do you use for this? You make it sound so easy yet some make it sound so difficult.

[Ross]

diamond drill bit.

[matt]

You don't need to drill for a closed loop; there's no siphon loss when the power is turned off. You can run outlets and inlets up over the side. If your tank is drilled in the bottom, probably in a corner, the usual thing is to enclose the hole in an overflow box and use it to drain the tank to a sump. Maybe you already have an overflow box?

Personally, I would never run a tank drilled in the bottom unless the hole was surrounded by an overflow box. If it's just a bulkhead with a pipe, and there's ever a leak around the bulkhead, your entire tank will drain right out the bottom, most likely ten minutes after you leave for work, or even worse, ten minutes after you leave for that nice 2 week caribbean cruise. :o

[caferacermike]

You guys use a hand drill or something nicer? My friend uses a drill motor built into a glazier type suction cup. Once set up it's more a drill press then a hand drill. If I'm right (I;ve never gone out and watched him) there is no pilot hole or anything so how do you keep it from walking? Just intersted, knowledge is the key.

[demodiki]

It has a corner overflow.

[brewercm]

I had mine (Joshuas new 100) drilled in the back for a 2" bulkhead that fed to the closed loop pump. The returns were just hang on sea swirls that I picked up from Matt a couple of years ago. I loved the way that that setup worked and it gave me some changing flow in the tank.

[demodiki]

One of the things I did not think about was having to drag that heavy tank over to whomever will do the drilling. Not a pleasant idea. I may just try the 'over the top' design and see how it goes.

[brewercm]

I know that some here in SA have gone to the persons home to do the drilling (I'm sure for a little extra $$). I believe Ross even drove up to Lampasas to drill Steves tank at one time. So if you can sweet talk the right folks it might work out for you.

[caferacermike]

Ross will drive there or my friend Ezra from ATX.