Drilling Bottom Of Tank For Filter

[Craig89]

Morning all after receiving my new tank and building a stand yesterday I've realised I've made a slight mistake, I've not left enough room behind the tank for any filter pipes. I've seen that marine keepers drill their tanks for sumps etc and then use bulkhead fittings is it the same principle for an external filter ?

Any help is much appreciated

Thanks
Craig

 

[techen]

Why not just drain the tank down to like  25% and move it forward so you can stuff in the filter in behind the tank?
 
Drilling it would be useless as you'd need to build a WEIR system so your fish don't get sucked down the holes.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Tanks can be drilled as long as the glass being holed is not tempered.
 
You will need 2 holes one for water to go out and another for it to be returned. You will have to create an internal overflow setup as well and then set up the sump tank properly.
 
You can use a canister but you will need an inch or so behind the tank for hoses. You can drill for a canister but it seems like overkill.
 
And then, to drill the tank, you will have to empty it. So, if you have to empty it, why not just move it then and save yourself all the other stuff?

 

[Craig89]

Tank isn't set up yet just arrived yesterday and is in an alcove built in so there is no option of moving it forward

 

[m00ms]

pipes on the side of tank?