I have yet to order my overflow...

[traco]

and was wondering how hard it would be to drill my 55 gallon tank for a sump below? What size hole does one drill? I have a Eheim 1260 pump for the return on a 15 gallon tank.

[xtreme]

Drilling is actually quite easy, you just need to make sure your glass isn't tempered. I would definitely recommend drilling for your overflow as it is much better than using one of those syphon type boxes. The size of the hole you need to drill will depend on the size of the bulkhead you want to use.

[brizzo]

Be careful, alot of the 55s out there have tempered glass on all sides! Sometimes just the bottom!

[spoot]

If you know the manufacturer of the tank, then it's best to contact them first. If your tank can be drilled though, I would definitely recommend it. I'd do a minimum of 2 holes myself.

[mark]

consider a Herbie (2 drains) then another hole for the return

[traco]

I believe it is a All-glass aquarium (black trim and bracing in the middle).

[traco]

consider a Herbie (2 drains) then another hole for the return
I'm a newbie, what's a "herbie"? Two drains would be an advantage?

[Rbacchiega]

A herbie system utilizes two drains, one which the water will go through all the time, the other is used as an emergency drain. Then you'll need a gate valve to control the ammount of water draining down into your sump versus what is being pumped back up. This creates an almost silent system

[mark]

As no air is drawn into a Herbie it is silent, with the only sound coming from where the water drops over the lip of the overflow.

[dkcrx]

once you get drilled, you'll never go back! lol

[brizzo]

A herbie system is a syphon system with a backup. The gate valve controls how fast the water drains, which allows you to adjust the water level in your overflow box. You can the control if air is getting sucked into the pipe, or a constant suction of water with proper water height in your overflow box.

The emergency drain is placed at the top of your overflow box. You need one because if the main drain gets clogged or slowed, your return pump from your sump will still continue to fill the tank at a faster rate causing your tank to overflow. When plumbing your emergency drain, have the pipe above your sump water level, so if its getting used you can hear the falling water :)

[traco]

Well, I am definately letting my husband read this, he'll understand it better than moi! lol So I still need an overflow box?

[mark]

take a look at Bignose's thread (http://216.187.96.54/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=48465&page=1), clear picture of Herbie, just image a couple of inches of water over the bulkhead without the pipe if running.

[spoot]

traco, the "overflow" box that nazerine was reffering is not a "siphon overflow box". Nazerine is talking about a glass box, siliconed into the tank around that drilled hole.

[traco]

Ah, I see .. went to the other thread linked and now know what you were talking about. Thanks. :)