Drill or HOB ideas 67 gallon osaka

[Aysha]

I got one of these last night.
http://www.hagen.com/pdf/aquatic/Flu...ka-details.pdf
the 260 fluval osaka
(67 gallons)

I want to drill it but I am a paranoid android.
I'm also not sure what the best plan of attack would be. I usually get my tanks after somebody has done all the work already

So on a 67 gallon if I go HOB what are my options? what is the best skimmer/filter options ect act.

If I go DRILLED what is the best option?
Best skimmer? best filtration/plumbing options
ALSO VERY IMPORTANT! Best people for the job?


The stand IS NOT an issue either way! I can always build a new one.

[Madreefer]

Drill it. Sumps are way easier, putting crap in your display like heaters, thermometers and even your skimmer take away from that natural look we are trying to create.

[gqlmao]

Be very careful... a lot of these kind of curved hagen tanks have a tempered bottom. Sides I am not too sure. I would find out which panels are tempered prior to drilling.

[Aysha]

I'm leaning that way, I liked my old herbie overflow system not to mention ease of water changes and ATO systems. It will also look better and be cheaper (at least on my sanity) in the long haul.

Hob is easy but it isn't pretty and water changes are a PAIN!

Realistically it depends if I can get it drilled for a fair price without messing it up
I've never set up a sump myself ( I buy my setups pre owned most of the time)
so I need someone who knows what they're doing.



I saved enough on my glass cost that I can budget a bit more to get the tank working the way I want.

[Aysha]

Sides and bottom are NOT TEMPERED.
I checked! I'm opting for a back drill over a bottom drill if I go that route.

[gqlmao]

Yup I checked after I posted I seems someone has successfully drilled the 320version. http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/22613...ka-260-or-320/.

The fun begins!

[Magickiwi]

Originally Posted by Aysha

Sides and bottom are NOT TEMPERED.
I checked! I'm opting for a back drill over a bottom drill if I go that route.

I've run HOB for skimmers, etc. and I would DEFINITELY recommend drilling vs. running HOB equipment. This weekend I was able to move almost all my equipment to my sump and I'm amazed at how much cleaner and roomy the tank looks. If I had the choice again I'd go totally drilled vs. HOB overflow etc.

[Aysha]

How many holes for a herbie setup?
Where exactly?
How big should a sump be?

[byee]

I had a CPR HOB overflow with the airlifted.

Over the 10 years I've had my tank running, it has flooded my basement for various reasons - dead air lifter, the lines were plugged up, airline got brittle from the 14K MH……etc

Like yourself I did not want to drill the tank simply because I thought the holes would compromise the integrity of the tank.

in hind sight, should've bought a reef ready tank with holes pre-drilled!

I just bought myself a custom 45g starphire glass cube. Guess what? Its drilled! No more nonsense with HOB's !

[HaZRaTTy]

Never EVER EVER will I do HOB again. Regardless if its Fresh/Salt water. What's the point.. and why bother with stupid HOB garbage.

Drill it, If your drilling the back I would go for an external overflow otherwise why not just drill the bottom makes no sense.

If you drill the bottom go with a Herbie, by far the most fail proof silent overflow I have ever ran. (I've ran them all except bean animal which doesn't even make sense to me to begin with)

If you're drilling 2 holes and drilling the bottom for internal overflow I would take the extra 3''-4'' and drill 3 for a return. It beats having to run the return over the back. If you're going to run the return over the back anyways.. WHY Not just go with an external overflow?