Anybody against drilling tank bottom?

Hi All
I have ordered a new 2.3m tank (for Tanganyikans) and must finalise the filtration options. Tank will be visible from 3 sides.
Supplier suggested an internal 3-chamber setup at one end which I do not have a problem with. The filter volume is somewhat restricted by this though (and I kind of believe in more is better.....).

I want to add the option to add a sump setup and do not want any plumbing visible outside the tank - QUESTION - anybody wants to advise me against having the tank bottom drilled (say 40mm for outlet & 25mm for return) purely for the risk of leakage or are the available fittings fool proof? Once a tank like this is running, fixing any leak would be quite a challenge.......

Your advise please?

Chris

 

Very commom setup, but nothing is foolproof. Keep noise in mind, certain sump setups sounds like a running toilet.

 

Drilling is fine...as long as you have overflow boxes. We heading towards winter again...you dont want your place to flood because of loadshedding.

So corners drilled with overflow boxes so water stays in tank...100%.

To minimise the sound of the water crashing down...you can add a piece of PVC to the bulkhead with the end being beneath the water level inside the sump's first water chamber.

 

Hi @cft

Good info from @Smurf Man and the others here.

If you're worried about fittings leaking then either get them installed by somebody with experience (even then, plumbing can leak until tuned ), or prepare yourself to experiment with it before moving the tank in place ( remember this makes moving the tank more difficult too ).

INSTALL THAT OVERFLOW BOX!
This will not only reduce the damage in event of sump flooding but also keep a fair amount of pressure off the fitting and will allow you to operate on the fittings while the tank is full (but without sump running)

I would also create a backup 40mm drain that creates a lot of noise to drain water while and alert you to any issues in the main drain.

Good luck with the setup and shout if you need to bounce any more ideas.

 

Thanks - my idea in sketch form....

 

I was not, but now am PRO drilling the tank as I have had external overflows as well as drilled tanks and a drilled tank NEVER floods while overflow boxes does lol. You don't need the water in the overflow to fill all the way to the top, and don't really need the pipe all the way up, you can just have the bulkhead screwed in at the bottom and all the water flowing over will go down anyways, will cause better aeration too that way. Just make sure to silicone every connection like crazy and you won't have leakage. Moving the pipes every now and then will also cause the silicone to come loose so make sure to leave it alone once it is up and running.

 

Thanks @ Chris_H.
My idea with different levels was to have media in chamber one and two for filtration of the internal system. I would thus keep the internal pump running with backup power (very low head) during power outages to keep the tank "alive".
Regards

 

Drill it with a tungsten carbide tip

 

Thanks @ Jack - soon.....

 

Remember to use coolant

 

Thanks all. Drilling will be done by tank manufacturer , not me. @24mm, I would not attempt a DIY......
Have a good weekend!