55 gallon drilled or overflow, sump, overflow questions

[rangerfan]

well get this, so i am moving apartments which means i have to move the tanks which sucks, but anyway so i am doing a walk through with my fiance last night and i ask her where im gonna put the aquariums and she procedes to tell me that my 55 will be kind of lfoating in the middle of the room not against a wall. well i tell here that isnt really going to work becasue my whole set up is HOB and i said well you will just have to buy me a sump and she said okay!!! It was like the easiest thing ever, i didnt think i was ever gonna get to invest in a sump whew!!! so i now i have to decide if i can drill the tank i have or muy one already drilled what do yall think can one do it ones self or can local shops be trusted??? can i get a bulkhead, and i can get it drilled for a CL man their are so amny possibiliteis i feel like i ahve been let free oh it is awesome!!what should i do about a sump buy one or can i easily make one out of a 30 gal or something how should it be laid out, the plans for the tank are mosly softies and lps until i build up the courage to try SPS or feel my tank is clean enough for it because i plan on having a SSB becase im just not sold on the BB look.

[Geoff]

is this the standard 55? 48" X 12" X 18"?

are you thinking of a 360 degree walk around tank? kinda hard with those dimensions.

the first thing you need to figure out is if the bottom is tempered or not. if tempered, it would be better to just get another tank. if not than proceed.

i have drilled many tanks, i have only used a diamond drill. they are expensive, but i trust this more than using a dremel bit. then again the dremel would be less expensive since you will prolly want at least 2 different sized holes. one for overflow and one for return. of course there could be more for a CLS, but it could get crowded under there.

G~

[rangerfan]

yes it is a standard 55 correct on the dimensions and yes you will be able to view it form all three sides i am gueesing i might not be able to drill it it wasnt very expensive it is an oceanview aquarium. does anyone make reefready 55 or onther reefready with that footprint

[rangerfan]

oh well one side of the tank will be backed up with a couch but i just dont want any equipment on the outside

[rangerfan]

oh yea how can i tell if it is tempered

[Geoff]

are you trying to get your post count up?

there should be a bright orange sticker on the bottom telling you if it is tempered or not. do you know the model of the aquarium? i could not find a website for them to double check for you. do you have any polarized sunglasses laying around?

are you going to have a long side facing the couch? this opens things up a lot. if you are thinking about getting the same size tank again, i would really suggest playing with that one and drill some holes in it. drilling holes is the way to go for clean looking systems.

G~

[rangerfan]

sorry i jsut kept remembering stuff after i had already posted anyway i want a drilled tank but does anyone sell a 55 that is already drilled? who makes tanks to order

[Geoff]

i think most of the major aquarium manufacturers will have a RR tank in that size. this is a very popular size for planted aquariums.

G~