Solana DIY Options for Sump....

[E.intheC]

As the title says.. I just bought a Solana. Got a great price on just the tank (along with all the stuff behind the back wall)...

Here's my situation: the reason I bought the tank was for the rimless look and because of how clean and hidden everything is.

On my 30 cube, there is a ton of equipment/overflow boxes/the sump is outside the stand/etc etc etc and it's UGLY.

However, my system does have a great skimmer. (Euro Reef-RS 80).

I'd like to keep the skimmer on the new tank, as I just don't believe any HOB will come close to the skimmate production the RS 80 has. (1 cup of nasty skimmate in about 3 days)

What I'd like to do is this:

Remove the black wall and everything behind it (skimmer, bioballs, ato, etc)... Drill the tank, and make an overflow. This will leave me with a rimless tank, but I'll still have the clean look and great functionality of the skimmer (which I can now hide in my custom stand that I'm making)

I'm planning on ditching the skimmer and ATO anyway, so that part is really not an issue.

Thoughts? Is this a ridiculous waste of time? Will there be any future (or present) structural problems? I wouldn't think so, but you never know.

(And yes, I know it sounds crazy to buy a solana only to remove most of it, but I bought the tank for $100.)

Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[E.intheC]

Really? No opinions? I just learned the tank is able to be drilled, so that's a huge plus.

Anyone know who/where I can take my tank to get it drilled?

 

[jackson6745]

I think if you added an overflow box and had the tank drilled it would look fine........or you could get a better hang-on skimmer like a Deltec or the new ATB and keep everything as is. I hate DIY so I vote kick a$$ hang-on skimmer

 

[ECFENCING]

I'll vote with Rich

Get yourself a nice hang on skimmer

The ATB is nice and many use the tunze nano skimmer

 

[E.intheC]

Thanks for your help guys.

I have used the tunze nano and I've seen skimmate production from the deltecs, warner marine h series, euro reef nano.. All are dwarfed by my euro reef rs 80. My er pulls out ten x as much skimmate as the others...

 

[Imbarrie]

Why not just use an overflow box for a while with the tank empty to see if that setup is really what you want.

Are you positive it is not tempered glass?

I like DIY so you know my vote.
I also have a drill press which makes that less nerve wracking.

You could google a glass shop, Im sure there is one on the island who would drill your tank for a fee.

 

[E.intheC]

I'm not 100% positive, but I'll call current tomorrow and see. The only thing I'm a bit concerned about is the black wall.. if I remove it, will there be any structural issues?

It looks like it's adding a bit of a bracing effect to the tank's back and 2 side panels.. I'm not sure.

I've heard that Aqua Hut, Country Critters, and Petswarehouse all will drill your tank for a fee. Plus, there's an auto glass shop in huntington that will do the same.. Typically about $20-30 per hole.

 

[mr_X]

i ran into a similar issue with an oceanic 30 cube. early on i used a hex tank just for some extra water volume and somewhere to hold chaeto, but eventually ordered an acrylic sump for the oddly shaped stand.
good luck!
btw- here was my 10 gallon hex