Do drilled tanks still need boxes? (Silicon bulkheads?)

or will a inlet protection suffice?

I have a 20 gallon that I want to drill. I am taking the tank to a glass shop to drill the tank, but I want to know where I should drill it.

I will want 3 holes. One return, one primary overflow and one secondary overflow, in the case of a flood event. Is that practical?

 

I answered my 1st question. Rephrased question.

 

The intake basket will certainly work, although you won't get the same surface skimming provided by an overflow box.

I believe the double-outlet is fairly typical for drilled tanks.

 

I regret not doing an overflow with my tank I know why you would not. I tried the inlet screener like this but after a few days the gurgling noise was too much, I went with a 90 degree elbow from the bulkhead and a inlet screen so now I can tweek the angle of the elbow and reduce 90% of the noise. I'll post a quick picture in the AM if you need it.

 

Good point. Will good surface agitation reduce the need for surface skimming?

 

Yes please! I have an idea, but went to make sure. Do you place that down or up?

Should I offset the two intakes by a half inch?

 

Sure. I have no sump, and with only 30x turnover (roughly half, 330gph, from a HOB filter), I have no problems with surface film. Just thought I'd point it out because some prefer the extra advantage of surface skimming.

 

Surface skimming- for all the water to the sump is the way to go IMHO.

My DIY set up on my current 125 has 20 inches of surface skimming, and it's HOB DIY.

On my 180 I have soon to be set up, I already built a true Coast to Coast overflow and it's drilled. 6 ft of surface skimming!

Those little strainers will work, but are far less than ideal IMO.

There have been many articles by the 'big names' in reefing about surface skimming, coast to coast, etc.

 

Well I think I will weld-on a few sheets of acrylic to make an overflow.

I got the tank drilled today. Should I silicon the bulkheads to the glass on the inside and use the gasket on the outside?

 

Answered my question again. Gasket on flange side and apply dry (no silicon).