mark_82 Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Soon I'm going to be setting up a 5x2x2 tank with a sump. Would it be better to get a hole drilled at the back of the tank with plumbing running down to the sump or get an overflow chamber? What are the pros and cons of each? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilroy Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Hi, I have a 5x2x2 and I have a weir (overflow) which is full of sponge to prefilter the water going into the sump. Both the inlet and outlet are at the bottom of the tank, and it works very well. The sump is in the cabinet and I only need a couple of elbow joints to plumb it properly. I think you definitely should have a weir. It is a matter of personal preference whether or not you want the plumbing from the bottom or back of the tank. cheers Shane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurohige Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 If you're doing weir: * You will have a waterfall noise in the room, but this can be reduce by putting pipe in your outlet. If you're drilling holes at the back: * Looks tidy, no weir box inside the tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashieFront Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 If you're drilling holes at the back: * Looks tidy, no weir box inside the tank. and u can't put the tank right up against the wall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ViS Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 You also don't get as much water flow out of the tank with a hole in the back wall. The benefit of the wier is that the water falls straight down before any other direction. With a hole in the back, the water moves horizontally first. This causes a little back pressure and doesn't allow water to escape from the tank as easily. It's much easier to accidentally overflow a "hole in the back" tank. If you go that option, go the biggest hole possible and the biggest bulkhead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stonedragon Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 hi i agree the hole in the back can and does cause water to overflow the top of my tanks. go for the wier. my 2 cents. stonedragon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_82 Posted January 23, 2007 Author Share Posted January 23, 2007 Thanks for the replies. I was thinking of just getting a hole drilled in the back of the tank because I thought it would be less visible and noisy than a weir. But I don't want problems with water overflowing out of the tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurohige Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 Get a bigger hole drilled then ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_82 Posted January 23, 2007 Author Share Posted January 23, 2007 Get a bigger hole drilled then ?? What would be the recommended size? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gino123456 Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 Hi guys i was just reading up on the weir conversation and i agree a weir is the way 2 go. Does anyone know of people who drill holes in tanks im in Sydney . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobcas Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 Xtreme at Taren Point / St George at Rockdale will both drill holes for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gino123456 Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 Are these guys mobile or do u need to bring the tank to them , and also is there a holesaw that u can buy do it yourself. Hi guys im only new here butwas wondering if there were any info on making a mini reef here, i have seen heaps os stlyes but which r the best. I have a 5fter which i have made my own over the top filter with pump inside the tank but looking at something a little more neater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilroy Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 Are these guys mobile or do u need to bring the tank to them , and also is there a holesaw that u can buy do it yourself. Hi guys im only new here butwas wondering if there were any info on making a mini reef here, i have seen heaps os stlyes but which r the best. I have a 5fter which i have made my own over the top filter with pump inside the tank but looking at something a little more neater. A mini reef is very easy to make, so easy even I managed to make my own. All you need is a bit of eggcrate for the bioballs to sit in, a small tank, and some glass to make dividers/baffles. Add some sponge, a heater and There is an example here I don't have a spinning arm, my intake gravity feeds onto a splash plate that I made out of a tupperware container. If you want further info, PM me and I will send you some pics. Cheers Shane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gino123456 Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 I was just wondering with the holes where can u buy the holes saws to drill the glass from Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurohige Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 I was just wondering with the holes where can u buy the holes saws to drill the glass from Ebay. Something like THIS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWC Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 I was just wondering with the holes where can u buy the holes saws to drill the glass from Ebay. Something like THIS Don't mean to hijack but has anyone used one of these? Are they hard to use? Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfuller Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 Don't mean to hijack but has anyone used one of these? Are they hard to use? Dave Got mine here: http://search.ebay.com.au/search/search.dl...o%3D1&fgtp= Nice and easy - just go slowly, and keep the "saw" cool. I used a cordless drill and a spay bottle and cut a perfect hole in 6mm glass. Cheers, Scott. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_82 Posted January 25, 2007 Author Share Posted January 25, 2007 So, if I go for the hole in the back option, there is a chance that water may overflow and I won't be able to put my tank against the wall. The weir will take up some space and will make a waterfall sound which probably can be reduced by installing a durso standpipe. Are there any other disadvantages or advantages? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L127 Posted January 26, 2007 Share Posted January 26, 2007 your better off getting a pro to do your holes.. real easy to break the glass... its not like drilling a hole for a door... lol p.s i like holes with bulkhead dont keen on the whole weir thing if you ask me its ugly.. i have a 6x2x2 an 3x 4fts running on 2 different sumps an i have never had a prob with overflow.. if you need help get back to me.. Holly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_82 Posted January 26, 2007 Author Share Posted January 26, 2007 p.s i like holes with bulkhead dont keen on the whole weir thing if you ask me its ugly.. i have a 6x2x2 an 3x 4fts running on 2 different sumps an i have never had a prob with overflow.. if you need help get back to me.. What size hole and bulkhead would I need? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L127 Posted January 26, 2007 Share Posted January 26, 2007 i use 1inch bulkheads Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurohige Posted January 26, 2007 Share Posted January 26, 2007 I drilled many tanks myself. Like scott said, I used cordless drill and do it slowly. I also put some putty around it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaZ Posted January 26, 2007 Share Posted January 26, 2007 One benefit of a weir is that the top of the weir sets the water level in your tank. A weir is wider than a pipe, so it can be higher without disrupting the water flow over the top. Once you start talking about drilling big holes in the back of your tank, the water level in your tank may be lower than you want. This might not be an issue in most cases but it was an issue for me when I had my display tank made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L127 Posted January 26, 2007 Share Posted January 26, 2007 good point but a weir takes up alot of tank space too... Holly im happy to take pics of mine if you want some examples.. PM me if interested so i dont hi jack the thread.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_82 Posted February 18, 2007 Author Share Posted February 18, 2007 Thanks for the replies. I've decided to go for the weir option. Now I have to choose a sump. I'm thinking of getting a double mini reef with bio balls or a matrix style sump. What are the advantages/disadvantages of each? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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