viv construction

[s1rk1118]

I'm starting my first viv, using a 75G glass aquarium. In the design stage, I've worked out most issues, with one exception. I'm planning an egg crate false bottom, and I was going to drill a couple of holes, but noticed the bottom glass is tempered. Without holes in the bottom, what is the best way to circulate/filter the standing water? I'm probably going to go ahead and carefully try to drill the bottom. If it shatters, I'll replace it with predrilled glass or acrylic. I'm really looking for a clean setup with no exposed hoses or wires.

[Marty]

big problem. There's nothing that will bond acrylic to glass permanently. You'll be in trouble if you break the glass. I have the same setup in my 90gal. No drain holes. I have a fluval canister filter outside the tank and the water is siphoned out. Fresh water is brought up for the waterfeature. All tubes and cables are embeded in the walls foam/soil mix so it's not visible.

[zaroba]

could always drill the side of the tank right near the bottem. granted that the sides aren't tempered. use a bulkhead to go threw and a 90 degree elbow on the inside to point it up.

only problem with this is that the water depth will be dependant on the size of the piping and how close the hole is to the bottem. due to how big the elbows are, larger pipes = higher water depth and smaller pipes = lower water depth (granted they can accomidate the waterflow)

[Tindomul1of9]

Not all the glass sides maybe tempered. Perhaps you can find out fromt he manufacturer which aren't.
Also i agree that the easiest route is to get an external filter canister. if you plan to build a back ground then you can hide siphon tubes and the tube that returns the water.