Drilling a stocked tank? (I didn't)

[Henny]

Hello,

Does anyone know if a stocked tank can be drilled if the water is drained halfway? Right now I have a HOB overflow that handles about 900gph but lately I've been noticing that the DT water level increases for no apparent reason along with the sump level. (I had to unplug my ATO so that it wouldn't refill the sump when this happens.) The water level in the overflow also fluctuates but more frequently. The tank is more of a gradual increase.

Anyway I don't want to come home one day and find a flood. So I thought If I could get the tank drilled it would solve my problems. However I don't have anything to transfer livestock and rock too while the tank gets drilled and overflows installed.

I'm still new to SW and still learning all the tricks of the trade. So any advice at all would be greatly appreciated.

The tank in question is a 135 gallon Oceanic. If hind sight went 360 I went have had tank drilled in the beginning but I didn't know any better than.

Thanks,

Diron

[Euclid]

You could. I wouldn't.

[bimmerzs]

Hmmm......135 gallons makes a big mess. Too many thing's can happen doing this with livestock in there. I would suggest getting rubbermaid containers or the like and move the LR, corals and critters into that, then do it. I would still have the money ready for a new tank and to be honest......I would personally buy a used reef ready tank, move everything over to it then sell your existing tank. Good luck with whichever route you go.

Cheers,

[TinyTanker]

Does anyone know if a stocked tank can be drilled if the water is drained halfway?

the reverberations in the tank will hit the water and stress the integrity of the glass intersections and find the weakest point and push the envelope. It might not necessarily break instantly. It could do like the 250 i drilled. wait six months and let the seam pop in the middle on the bottom and drain in under fifteen minutes sand and water combo. Luckily, I was home

[SoLiD]

A Calfo set up near the top may work. But I really think you should just forget about such a risky task. The water will be putting a considerable amount of pressure on the glass even at half full. That in itself may cause the glass to crack. Also when you consider how long the drilling process could take; why would you risk it. There is just too little room for error. That in itself should help you to reconsider. :ph34r:

-David

[Henny]

You guys made some very good points. Thanks! I may just buy some Rubbermaid containers like bimmerzs suggested. Who sells them in SA?

How long does it take to drill through a 1/2" gl***** Buying another tank is not an option right now.

Is it normal for the water to fluctuate with an HOB overflow?

[hobogato]

it takes about 15 to 30 minutes per hole on 1/2" glass. but if you add an internal overflow, you cant add water for at least 24 hours.

[LoneStar]

You guys made some very good points. Thanks! I may just buy some Rubbermaid containers like bimmerzs suggested. Who sells them in SA?

Tractor Supply sells the heavy duty Rubbermaid containers.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay_10551_10001_28496_-1______14602|14606|14614|28496?listingPage=true&Special=false

They also sell a 50g version as well. But if this is a one time deal, you could get by with smaller tubs they sell at Wal-Mart or such.

[Euclid]

Or you could just get storage bins at Wal Mart for like $4 a pop

[Henny]

Or you could just get storage bins at Wal Mart for like $4 a pop

I think I'll see what sizes they have but I'm thinking one or two large containers would be better than having multiple smaller ones. I'll check them out this weekend and see which would be better for me. Thanks again!

[SoLiD]

I have about 3 or 4 big ones around the house that I use from time to time. They aren't designed to hold water (Wal-Mart Rubbermaid Storage Containers) so I only fill them about half way. Put to much water and they will want to open up like a clam. I'd buy a minimum of 4 if I were you. Remember, you will need a place for Fish, Inverts, Corals, Live Rock, and maybe some Live Sand. Good Luck! :)

-David

http://www.enasco.com/prod/images/products/D3/AC054874l.jpg

[SoLiD]

it takes about 15 to 30 minutes per hole on 1/2" glass. but if you add an internal overflow, you cant add water for at least 24 hours.

Is that with a New Glass Hole Saw Blade? I've seen it take almost an hour to cut 1 hole on an Oceanic 1/2" glass tank. And the drill had a special magnetic mount bracket/holder. The guy drilling it said that if the hole is cut too fast you will have glass chips everywhere that will without a doubt weaken the glass and seal around the hole. But then again, he probably didn't want to risk it because it was a new tank. I've only cut 6 holes myself, and they weren't on 1/2 glass; so you would know more than I.

-David

[Henny]

Bought some 18 gal containers today from wal-mart. They didn't have the Rubbermaid's for $4 so I bought a couple made by Sterilite. I also have a 35 gal Rubbermaid trashcan that I use to mix SW and a 20 gallon rubbermaid container that I was using as a FW reservoir.

I plan to use the 35gal trash can for the live rock and the other containers for fish, inverts and sand (don't have any coral). What equipment do I need to have for each container? I was thinking just a powerhead for the rock. A heater and and a canister filter for the fish. Maybe another heater and small filter for live sand and inverts?

Thanks,

Diron

[SoLiD]

You guessed it. You will need some Heaters for sure. Without all those lights and big pumps running the water will get pretty cold.

[Henny]

Thanks Solid.

I'm looking to order some 2" bulkheads but I do not know what the differences are between the flange side and the back side that are listed on the websites. Could someone please explain or show me a diagram of what the flange and backside of the bulkhead is? I want to order the slip/thread type but do not know which one is correct.

This is the site I was looking to order from: http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/2985/Economy-Bulkhead-Fittings/ :confused:

Thanks in advance

[Darth-Tater]

I use slip on both sides. 2" in bulkhead. I slip the pvc into it...much eaiser than trying to screw it in.

BKF20Economy Bulkhead Fittings, 2", Slip x Slip


Tater

[hobogato]

you could just go into B&B aquatics, Aquarium Designs or Alamo Aquatics. i think they all carry bulkheads in stock.

[Henny]

I use slip on both sides. 2" in bulkhead. I slip the pvc into it...much eaiser than trying to screw it in.

BKF20Economy Bulkhead Fittings, 2", Slip x Slip

Tater

Do you have to glue the PVC into the Slip bulkheads? I was thinking about using the slip/thread so I could remove the PVC if I wanted to change something later.


you could just go into B&B aquatics, Aquarium Designs or Alamo Aquatics. i think they all carry bulkheads in stock.

Picked up some Bulkheads from Texas Tropical for $15 a piece. They were closer to me than AD and BB. Thanks

[TinyTanker]

When getting Containers make sure you flow in each one. Perhaps a bubbler if you can as well because you need oxygen in the water. I got the 50 rubbermaid trashcans and also borrowed some 25 gallon tanks from the local fish store. It helps when they know what your doing, just in case you have an emergency they can be there to take on a medical tank for you. Keep them informed. Now for the containers wipe them out with a papertowel and really hot water. even though they are brand new. Sometimes the %^&* film on the inside putrifies your water quality. Also When Prepping the tank for the drilling there are do it yourself attachments on MAAST to talk about that. Check them out.

Too Make Residual Money check this out

WWW.Clearelectric.com

[LoneStar]

Do you have to glue the PVC into the Slip bulkheads? I was thinking about using the slip/thread so I could remove the PVC if I wanted to change something later.

YES! They will leak otherwise. If you decide to change your layout later, you will just have to cut them off. I'd place a union inline with the drain so if you want to change things around, that will give you some flexibility.

Remember one of the best places online to buy different plumbing parts like true union ball valves is www.savko.com. They also have bulkheads but I would pick those up at a LFS since you have access to them in town.

[Henny]

Ace drilled my tank and installed Calfo today. Looks great! :thumbs_up: Thanks Ace and nice to meet you and Zack!

[Henny]

Just wanted to show some pics of my novice plumbing skills. It still seems a little noisy though...was thinking of putting some elbow's inside the calfo to silence the gurgling noise...

[Henny]

Everything is back in tank. Although I think I killed my cleaner shrimp because I haven't seen him since I put him back in the tank on last Tuesday. I didn't re-acclimate him to the new tank water...just dumped him in. after 10 hours straight working on this tank and 4 hours the day before I was too tired.

[hobogato]

looks great diron. to make it more quiet, you can try to drill the holes a little larger on the top of the cap on each drain. you can also try adding a piece of rigid airline tubing down that hole.

[Henny]

looks great diron. to make it more quiet, you can try to drill the holes a little larger on the top of the cap on each drain. you can also try adding a piece of rigid airline tubing down that hole.

Ok I'll try doing that. Thanks

[Henny]

Found my missing cleaner shrimp...while I was accilimating another one it peeked it's whiskers out from between the rocks. Now I have two...oh well.