Ok should I have my tank drilled?

[Bloat]

Should I have my 55's drilled and if yes how here are my wants for the new tank:

sump/fuge
sand bed (not to deep)


pluse it will have about 100#s of live rock

Would like the whole plumbing idea do I only need two holes

Any ideas would be great

Thanks
Scott

[wanareef]

Drill for overflow or closed loop? Sounds like you have it full of water already.

I would. For both. More than 2 holes.


For the overflow - drill near the upper corners for one of these
http://barraquatic.com/ go to overflows one in each corner. Attach these to the tank using a BH or if you have an acrylic tank, you can glue them to the tank using Weldon #4. Reconmend 2 for redunantcy and for flow.

You can use 2 SCWD's for the closed loop with a pump like a mag 12 or more.


Don't forget to get, union's and ball valves

This is just to get you started thinking.

[JennM]

Holy overkill for a 55!

If you want to drill for a drain, a 1 3/4" hole (fits a 1" bulkhead) in the side of the tank, near the top, would suffice) Only one hole is needed, and use a bulkhead kit with an elbow and intake strainer to adjust water level and prevent your livestock from going down the drain. Return the water over the top edge of the tank.

If you're going to go to all that trouble to drill multiple holes and plumb loops and bells and whistles, save your time and money and buy a larger tank because you will have outgrown the 55 before you're even finished.

JMHO.

Jenn

[Bloat]

OK so now that is to much live rock ? I have herd as much as 1.5#s per gallon to 2#s a gallon. next Q?s is do you need to drill a small 55? or is it only for larger tanks . So then I could get away with just using a cpr back on the tank instead of drilling? and due away with a sump/ fuge?

[JennM]

Depends what kind of rock you use. That old rule of thumb applied to dense Caribbean or Florida rock - very heavy. More porous rock is lighter - "bigger", less pounds to fill the same volume.

"Need" is a relative term... do you NEED to drill a 55? No. However a system with a sump is better insofar as you have more water volume, more space for your peripheral stuff to go without sacrificing tank space.

I recommend that anything larger than a 55 be drilled, because it's hard to find hang-on equipment with enough fire-power to move enough water in a larger tank, without a bunch of powerheads etc.

I've done 55 g systems with both reef-ready, AND hang-on equipment, and if either method is done properly, you can have excellent results.

If you're going to go to all the trouble of drilling a tank, I'd spend the time/money on a larger tank. Most people outgrow their 55 reef pretty fast.

Jenn

[Bloat]

Thanks for your time will look for some good hang on filters. would have larger tank but really dont have room for anything bigger right now but will use 55,s at a later date for maroon clowns. should be fine

Scott