RobertN
Active Member
Hi All-
So I have a 100g cube DT. In the stand cabinet below, I have a 20g tall that was set up for me with the tank when I bought it originally (and knew even less than the little I know now about this hobby) that is my sump. Originally I also had the chiller in the cabinet, but recently moved it outside of the cabinet at the suggestion of several forum posters here, in order to prevent the chiller motor from burning out prematurely.
I want to take advantage of the new space in my cabinet and wanted to either get a 40g square to use as my new sump or connect up a second 20g tall to the first one. I'd prefer the 40g square, but I've seen their prices and they're at least about $210 (before taxes), which is more than I can spend now.
I tried looking locally for used 40g squares, but not much chance of that. I've seen some used 20g talls on Craigslist for really cheap ($10-$30). Please correct me if this info is incorrect, but I was told at an LFS that if I wanted to connect up 2 20g's, I'd have to have 2 holes drilled into both of the 20g's and attach bulkheads into each of the 4 holes so that I could plumb them together. In order to do this, I'd have to either buy the 2 20g's and pay extra to have the 4 holes drilled or drill the holes myself.
I've seen some videos online about getting a drill guide and drilling the holes myself and it looks both scary and intriguing.....and the challenge seems attractive. But I have also been told that it is going to be harder to make clean holes on a 20g without it shattering since the glass is thinner than a larger tank. I don't know how much it costs to get the holes drilled in the 2 20g's or even if the LFS's usual source for that drilling work would be willing to risk doing that on a 20g. Perhaps, if it were possible, it would be no more costly than buying a $26 drill guide and a diamond glass drill bit.
So what's the thoughts from you folks out there? Also, what size holes should be made.....1"?
Thanks much, in advance!!!
Robert
So I have a 100g cube DT. In the stand cabinet below, I have a 20g tall that was set up for me with the tank when I bought it originally (and knew even less than the little I know now about this hobby) that is my sump. Originally I also had the chiller in the cabinet, but recently moved it outside of the cabinet at the suggestion of several forum posters here, in order to prevent the chiller motor from burning out prematurely.
I want to take advantage of the new space in my cabinet and wanted to either get a 40g square to use as my new sump or connect up a second 20g tall to the first one. I'd prefer the 40g square, but I've seen their prices and they're at least about $210 (before taxes), which is more than I can spend now.
I tried looking locally for used 40g squares, but not much chance of that. I've seen some used 20g talls on Craigslist for really cheap ($10-$30). Please correct me if this info is incorrect, but I was told at an LFS that if I wanted to connect up 2 20g's, I'd have to have 2 holes drilled into both of the 20g's and attach bulkheads into each of the 4 holes so that I could plumb them together. In order to do this, I'd have to either buy the 2 20g's and pay extra to have the 4 holes drilled or drill the holes myself.
I've seen some videos online about getting a drill guide and drilling the holes myself and it looks both scary and intriguing.....and the challenge seems attractive. But I have also been told that it is going to be harder to make clean holes on a 20g without it shattering since the glass is thinner than a larger tank. I don't know how much it costs to get the holes drilled in the 2 20g's or even if the LFS's usual source for that drilling work would be willing to risk doing that on a 20g. Perhaps, if it were possible, it would be no more costly than buying a $26 drill guide and a diamond glass drill bit.
So what's the thoughts from you folks out there? Also, what size holes should be made.....1"?
Thanks much, in advance!!!
Robert
