Question about drilling holes....

[daaaaaan]

I have a spare 56 gallon collum tank that i have some ideas for.....but I would like to run a sump on it, but it doesnt have any holes drilled....can I take it to a local window shop, and have them drill holes along the top of the tank, with out causing it to weaken, and break under pressure when i fill it up with water?

Also, I am going to be running a 30gallon sump, so how many, and what size holes do you suggest? Also what size bulkheads?

[Fiziksgeek]

If you just need to get water to and from the sump, a 1" drain and maybe a couple of 3/4" returns would work just fine for a flow rate of 150-300gph. This assumes that any additional flow will be comming from power heads.

A glass shop, or even a LFS will probably drill the tank for you. But, they will charge, and the drilling will be guaranteed (in most cases) If the tank cracks, your out of luck.

[rsxs1212]

or you could just go for an HOB overflow but i prefer drilled

[daaaaaan]

I prefer drilled too.......I am looking for a flow rate of around 500gph, so what size holes do you suggest? I want all my flow coming from my return in the sump.....

[rsxs1212]

well more is always better. but most people run about a 1 inch drain and 3/4 inch returns. but you could always step up to a 1 1/2 drain and 1 inch returns or whatever. i suggest you just put ballvales on the drain and return but mainly the drain so you can fine tune the gph. megaflows use 1 inch drains and 3/4 inch return i believe and they are rated 600gph i think. i am not sure though so dont put your life on it haha