HOB overflo vs drilling

[marie74]

I am looking into getting a 90g standard tank- not reef ready.

I am debating between buying a toms rapids pro HOB overflo filter w/ built in skimmer or drilling the tank and building a sump..

anyone have any advice/experiences they can share?

 

[Flaxon-Waxon]

I am looking into getting a 90g standard tank- not reef ready.

I am debating between buying a toms rapids pro HOB overflo filter w/ built in skimmer or drilling the tank and building a sump..

anyone have any advice/experiences they can share?

Drill if possible.. HOBs can be a pain in the butt. Even HOB overflow manufacturers recommend drilling, FWIW.

 

[marie74]

Thanks.

I know that drilling is probably better.. but it will be MY tank, so I will have to do the work.... hubby is really not interested, and I have NO idea what I am doing. I guess I better learn if I need to drill, build a sump/fuge, and plumb it!

 

[Flaxon-Waxon]

Nah the plumbing isnt too bad. I actually just paid my LFS to drill it for me (that's something I didn't want to do)

Here's the back of my tank I did 3 holes, 2 1" drains and a 3/4" return...

 

[JJ-MIK]

Might be able to take it to your LFS they may do drilling. I would drill over hob.. I've never had one but hear nothing but issues with it backing up and dumping all over your floor..

 

[marie74]

Ben- what size is your tank? I'd like to see more of your plumbing if that is possible?

my lfs will drill your tank- $30 per hole, does not include bulkheads or any plumbing. cheeper just to order a kit fm glass-holes

 

[Flaxon-Waxon]

Ben- what size is your tank? I'd like to see more of your plumbing if that is possible?

my lfs will drill your tank- $30 per hole, does not include bulkheads or any plumbing. cheeper just to order a kit fm glass-holes

It's a 75 and not actually set up yet. I will be using flexible hosing for the drains and return lines... (we are putting hard wood floors down in 2 weeks and will be setting the new tank up after that is done lol - didn't want to need to move the tank 2 times)

And yes it's always cheaper to DIY drilling, but do you really want to? It's not like it's a skill I will need down the road, it's a "once a tank" deal for me...

 

[Ingy]

I suspect a glass shop will do it for less than that.

 

[Flaxon-Waxon]

I suspect a glass shop will do it for less than that.

I doubt it. Glass shops are actually expensive because glass is all they do, and they need to make it worth their time to do a small job.

 

[marie74]

I suspect a glass shop will do it for less than that.

Sounds like a great suggestion. I called a couple, they said they only do auto glass and window repair.

 

[Jaketit]

Is it tempered glass. If so I'm pretty sure you can't drill it. Might want to check into this. I know a lot of name brand pet stores sell tempered glass tanks.

 

[marie74]

I plan to check if it is temperd first, but I have not gotten it yet (A co-worker is getting rid of it, downsizing- he breeds discus.
The lfs says most tanks this side only have a tempered bottom, but the manufacturers website has the info...

 

[JJ-MIK]

Most percent of tanks do o Lu have a tempered bottom.. But wouldn't hurt to check first

 

[dmolavi]

BRS sells a drilling kit for this, and has a video on how to do it on their YouTube channel:

Drill Press Attachment for Hand Drills - Bulk Reef Supply (the drill press attachment for a hand drill)
Diamond Coated Glass Drill Bits - Bulk Reef Supply (hole bits for glass)

Instructions on drilling holes in glass aquariums - Bulk Reef Supply - YouTube
Ultra quiet reef tank overflow - YouTube
Installing an internal aquarium overflow and drilling holes in glass aquariums - YouTube

 

[Daniel Fishy]

Drilling is best but sump design is most important. Correctly designing a sump will not overflow and setting of overflow properly will not overflow tank.checkout Melevs reef.com

 

[marie74]

The 90 I was looking at was from a co-worker- he is selling for $50.
Great deal, but drilling is a hassle...

A person in the local aquarists club is upgrading to a 125- selling his 75g reef ready for $75. I'm going to go with that one. Same footprint, just a couple inches less deep.
I picked up a 40breeder to make a sump... now I need to research how to do that...

One step at a time.

 

[Daniel Fishy]

Both good deals! Nice choice