[nbwmu]

I am currently doing some research into starting my first saltwater aquarium. I have a 29 gal AGA and am trying to decide what to do for filtration. I have decided to go with a skimmer but I would also like to find a way to increase my water volume in the system. My first option is to run my canister filter (reletivly free of media), this will add some volume an increase the water flow. My second option is making a 10 gal sump, my only question now is to drill or not to drill. I have seen that many people have had bad experiences with HOT overflows but is it worth the size and space to have a hole drilled and construct a internal overflow?

Any imput is extreamly appreciated. Right now im in the phase where im online for hours reading forums but some personal experiences would be great.

[plecosword]

I would go with the sump because most skimmers are made for sumps.
Just i few things that I would atay away from would be the
seaclone skimmer,visi-jet skimmer, BIO BALLS!, they cause big nitrite problems, Bio wheels, crushed coral, and air driven skimmers.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

The question of drill or not to drill has been debated to death in the past and will be in the future I am sure.My vote is for the drilled tank and as large a sump as you can fit under your main tank.More water volume is always a plus.Skimmers for sumps are more efficient and if you have a good closed in stand they are a lot quieter there.Save the canister and use it for a carbon filter or something like that.There are some that say the hob overflows are just fine and some that say they have had a problem with them,no one ever said they had a problem with a drilled /built in overflow.

[nbwmu]

Thank you very much for the imput plecosword and nativevaman.

When you say stay away for air-driven skimmers do you mean skimmers that are driven by an airstone compared to a pump?

Also, I have never drilled a tank b/f on a AGA tank you need to use a dimond tip bit, correct? Or for procautions would it be better to get it done professionally just to be safe?

[Jeremy0322]

Pretty soon I am going to get my 55 drilled and i think that i am just going to call an auto glass store or a window shop. I dont have very steady hands would be VERY angry if i broke the tank.

[plecosword]

Originally Posted by nbwmu

Thank you very much for the imput plecosword and nativevaman.

When you say stay away for air-driven skimmers do you mean skimmers that are driven by an airstone compared to a pump?

Also, I have never drilled a tank b/f on a AGA tank you need to use a dimond tip bit, correct? Or for procautions would it be better to get it done professionally just to be safe?

Yes i meant airstone.
I had never thought about how to drill a tank! What tool would you use?