Drilling Established Tank

sphelps · #1 05-09-2011, 02:02 PM

Would you be drilling the side or the back? Both can be done with a partially full tank but drilling the side is much safer. Done this a few times without ever having an issue, the thicker the glass the less likely you'll crack it. I've only ever cracked 6mm or smaller, never cracked 10mm or larger.

byee · #2 05-09-2011, 02:09 PM

I'm still trying to decide on whether or not to drill. Thinking its a little on the risky side. When I decided, I will drilling the back corners.

I have a 120 gallon Hagen tank. Glass is prob around 10mm

sphelps · #3 05-09-2011, 02:33 PM

Just a note encase you decide to drill, Hagen doesn't use tempered glass in their aquariums.

silentcivilian · #4 05-20-2011, 06:07 AM

Also another note.. I have a HOB eshopps overflow.. no air lifter needed, and its designed that it cant break siphon.. its actually quite simple really.. the one you have is a sure fire way to flood, the new designed eshopps ones, genious.. umm.. here.. lets explain:

See the black overflow section, if water level falls below there, it cant pull anymore water and sits idle, while the other side has its own little box there, so it cant have air fill there as the drain side over draws leaving a air space.. I havent heard of anyone having a issue with this setup asides from the same flood anyone can get, of not cleaning out your hard lines once in awhile that drain into your sump.

byee · #5 05-20-2011, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silentcivilian

Also another note.. I have a HOB eshopps overflow.. no air lifter needed, and its designed that it cant break siphon.. its actually quite simple really.. the one you have is a sure fire way to flood, the new designed eshopps ones, genious.. umm.. here.. lets explain:

See the black overflow section, if water level falls below there, it cant pull anymore water and sits idle, while the other side has its own little box there, so it cant have air fill there as the drain side over draws leaving a air space.. I havent heard of anyone having a issue with this setup asides from the same flood anyone can get, of not cleaning out your hard lines once in awhile that drain into your sump.

silentcivilian

did you buy you eshopps HOB skimmer locally or from eBay?

silentcivilian · #6 05-20-2011, 06:23 AM

Locally, I bought it at oceans city off 16th

And ill add, there are a few videos on youtube you can check out that show people unplugging the system.. showing you it doesnt lose the siphon, and re-plugging it back in to start working as it should.

sphelps · #7 05-20-2011, 01:16 PM

They can still loose siphon, air bubbles can still build up in the tubes eventually breaking it. You also have to maintain a certain flow rate per siphon tube for them to work reliably.

fishytime · #8 05-20-2011, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byee

I'm still trying to decide on whether or not to drill. Thinking its a little on the risky side. When I decided, I will drilling the back corners.

I have a 120 gallon Hagen tank. Glass is prob around 10mm

yes, but is drilling the tank any more risky than using a HOB overflow to begin with???

nlreefguy · #9 05-20-2011, 05:25 PM

I have never had a problem with a HOB overflow - just put your main pump on a float switch in the display tank such that when the level in the main tank gets too high, it cuts out the main pump. Sure you'll have no circulation through your sump when this happens but at least your floor will stay dry while you figure out what happened.

fishytime · #10 05-20-2011, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nlreefguy

I have never had a problem with a HOB overflow - just put your main pump on a float switch in the display tank such that when the level in the main tank gets too high, it cuts out the main pump. Sure you'll have no circulation through your sump when this happens but at least your floor will stay dry while you figure out what happened.

Im glad you've never had a problem.....but imo a float valve in my display would be less than attractive and mechanical float valves in saltwater are an accident waiting to happen.....

or..........you could just drill the tank with a herbie or bean overflow and not have to worry about aqualifters failing, siphons breaking, floats valves sticking, noisy overflows, ugly HOB overflow hanging on the tank etc etc etc....