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Moving on up!

Haus

Haus

Was lucky enough to score a 125 yesterday thanks to R2R member Executioner069, and thanks to Diana a for cross-posting here. I’ll be moving my reef up from the basement underworld to the living room. Picture of tank and stand is below.
My 65 mixed reef is all hang-on equipment and doing quite well (also pictured below).
I’ve never drilled a tank or had a sump before, so does anyone have experience using hang-on skimmer(s) and fuge on a large system like a 125? Or is it time for me to pony up and learn about making a sump, drill the glass, plumbing, etc?

Im sure the consensus will be to drill, but I’m curious for input both ways. Thanks!
 

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M

mnat

Officer Emeritus
Staff member
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Honestly I think you can run a great reef tank with either, it just really comes down to your preference to aesthetics and maintenance. Looks wise having a sump and everything out of the way just look better, we ran HOB for a while and it worked great, it just kind of looked a mess with everything hanging on and figure when you go bigger you are going to need bigger pieces of equipment hanging on to handle the new tank. Also, I would do some research to see even if there are HOB equipment that is rated up to a 125g, as most are made for smaller tanks. Realize this tank is going to be in your living room now and will basically be the center piece whenever you have people over (reefer and non reefer alike) so the looks I think become more important. We always found doing maintanence on HOB stuff to be a little more sloppy and prone to more spills, again just a personal thing but something to think about.

Drilling obviously can be a chore, and make sure you can drill the tank and that it is not all tempered glass. There are plenty of people on here who have drilled and used a glass holes kit which makes it very easy. There are also a ton of tutorials to watch/read to help you out. It is not as intimidating as it used to be. Having a sump is going to give you a much better choice of equipment and going to make the tank much cleaner looking. Also, it will probably be a bit quieter which will also be important if it is in a main living space.

If it were me, I would drill and go with a sump.
 
Haus

Haus

Thanks for the replies. I have gotten the hang of hang-on maintenance and am intimidated by the process of drilling and learning, but good point-I’m sure there is tons of info online. I hadn’t thought of the noise difference. Aesthetics came to mind, plus the increase salt creep all that equipment creates. Expense is another consideration but I’m in no rush.

As far as hang on equipment rated for a 125 I found one that’s rated for larger tanks (corallife super skimmer 220g) or I could use 2 of what I have (reef octopus classic 90 hob) but then we’re filling up the wall. I have a 10g hang on fuge that I’d move over.
Im going to research the drilling and sump.
 
M

mnat

Officer Emeritus
Staff member
Moderator
www.glassholes.com sells the kits (look like they are not in business anymore but look up their style) and the overflows and I believe has the instuctional videos. All you need is the drill (their kit has the blade, template, all the plumbing pieces and the overflows) and most people on here are willing to loan a drill or to help out. Check with the seller though and make sure the whole tank isn't tempered or it is really a moot point.
 
Haus

Haus

Thanks, he gave me the info booklets on the aquarium so I’ll be able to look up about the glass. I’ll check out this kits too. Thanks!
 
amado

amado

Dal
Staff member
Board of Directors
NJRC Member
Drill the tank. Make sure it’s not tempered glass. Having a sump is going to help with water volume. It will also look cleaner and you will be able to use better equipment.

I was scared to drill as well but I did it.
Go buy a small used tank or a $1 a gallon sale use that to practice. This kit gives you everything you need even the bulkhead and drilling mold so you won’t mess up.

I used a 20 gallon and I drilled like 5 holes on each side for practice until I got confident enough to drill the tank.

ReefCreators 700 GPH Internal Overflow Box Bulkhead Drill kit Amazon.com : ReefCreators 700 GPH Internal Overflow Box Bulkhead Drill kit : Pet Supplies
 
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motortrendz

motortrendz

NJRC Member
Drilling is super easy. Lay the tank on the ground with thw back panel facing up. Mark exactly where you want the holes, measure like 10x to make sure yourexqctly where you want to be. Get yourself some modeling clay. And put it where your going to drill your hole. Make an impression with the bit and then fill the crevice with antifreeze, it acts as a lubricant and keeps the glass cool. Put tape under the glass so it doesnt fall out when you finally get through. Remeber your not drilling your actually grinding. Steady pace. And let the weight of the drill do the work. Dont push. Itll take time. As you cut into the glass keep checking that you have lubricant in the glass where your grinding. As you get to the bottom, back off on some of the weight of the drill so it doesnt "pop" through.
 
motortrendz

motortrendz

NJRC Member
Yes but you can easily clean that with alcohol and you'll have to clean the tank anyway after with vinigar

Your not filling it with antifreeze. Your basically using about 3oz per hole and most of it burns off in the process. I've done about 50 holes this way and have never had any break or crack.
 
amado

amado

Dal
Staff member
Board of Directors
NJRC Member
motortrendz said:
Yes but you can easily clean that with alcohol and you'll have to clean the tank anyway after with vinigar

Your not filling it with antifreeze. Your basically using about 3oz per hole and most of it burns off in the process. I've done about 50 holes this way and have never had any break or crack.
Click to expand...

Water works the same and it’s free and readily available. We also all know that water is reef safe lol
 
Haus

Haus

Nice-thanks for the instructions. I have a few small tanks to practice on. I also have a 29 gallon sump available though a bigger sump would be more ideal for this size. Thanks guys, I’m not surprised it’s unanimous. Looking forward to a fun display tank. No more excuses to disappear to the basement lol
 
DEL

DEL

Vice President
Staff member
Board of Directors
NJRC Member
Moderator
you can also just get an overflow box and kit. i had a lifereef overflow on my 110g. never had any issues.
 
Haus

Haus

so the bottom panel has a sticker that says tempered glass, but from what I’m reading elsewhere bottoms are often tempered but the other four sides usually are not. I don’t see any manufacturer or other ID info on the tank anywhere, and since I got it from someone who was given it secondhand for free as well I don’t think I can get more info on the glass.ill have to use polarized glasses to try to figure it out
 
DangerDave

DangerDave

NJRC Member
Haus said:
so the bottom panel has a sticker that says tempered glass, but from what I’m reading elsewhere bottoms are often tempered but the other four sides usually are not. I don’t see any manufacturer or other ID info on the tank anywhere, and since I got it from someone who was given it secondhand for free as well I don’t think I can get more info on the glass.ill have to use polarized glasses to try to figure it out
Click to expand...

I’ve never had to rely on it, do you not trust the glasses test?
 
iTzJu

iTzJu

Officer Emeritus
NJRC Member
I used a polarize filter for one of my lenses to test if you don't have glasses and have lens filters.
 
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