40 Breeder Help

[deepreefer]

I got a 40 breeder from Petco and was wondering if you can drill these tanks from the bottom side. I read some posts where it mentioned that some of these tanks have tempered glass on the bottom, in which case you cannot drill them from there, but you can drill any other side. I didn't see any type of warning sticker that labels the bottom as tempered glass, so should I drill it? The tank is Aqueon, let me know if you have any insight on this. Also I want to paint the back side of this tank black or blue, is there a different process? or is it the same thing? The only problem with this is that I don't know how to do it. If you have any insight on this, your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks for everything

 

[StevieD]

I got a 40 breeder from Petco and was wondering if you can drill these tanks from the bottom side. I read some posts where it mentioned that some of these tanks have tempered glass on the bottom, in which case you cannot drill them from there, but you can drill any other side. I didn't see any type of warning sticker that labels the bottom as tempered glass, so should I drill it? The tank is Aqueon, let me know if you have any insight on this. Also I want to paint the back side of this tank black or blue, is there a different process? or is it the same thing? The only problem with this is that I don't know how to do it. If you have any insight on this, your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks for everything

If its a tank from Petco, and if its an Aqueon tank, chances are the bottom is not tempered...I have one from Marineland and one from Aqueon and theres a sticker in the bottom of the Marineland tank that says do not drill, but no sticker in the bottom of the Aqueon tank. Also, according to Aqueons website, they also say the bottom is not tempered...Heres the link, hope this helps.

http://www.aqueonproducts.com/assets/011/19107.pdf

As far as painting, paint whatever color you want, just make sure you prep the surface well so your paint sticks. Clean the glass really well and make sure its dry. I personally dont paint, I use window film (tint) cause I change my mind alot.

 

[phnxfrfx1776]

you can always check with the manufacturer's website, contact customer service and they should be able to tell you. never assume that because there is no warning label that it is not tempered glass

 

[zakstrong]

i believe it is not tempered but i wouldnt recommend it. the pressure on the bottom plate is greater than on the sides. if its for an overflow you can do it from the side and save some space inside the tank.

 

[deepreefer]

Thanks for the input. Is there anyone that has drilled the bottom of an Aqueon 40 breeder without any problems? Also is the window film better than painting it? Easier? Once again thanks for all the help everybody.

 

[StevieD]

Like I said, I prefer not to paint just because if I want to change from black to blue or vice versa I can...The window tint is very easy...spray bottle, squeege, and a paper towel...pull it off if you mess up or if you dont want it anymore. Better? maybe not...Easier? Eh, depends I guess. I have never drilled an Aqueon tank on the bottom, always in the back glass...I may try the extra one I have in the garage in the bottom next time.

 

[deepreefer]

Like I said, I prefer not to paint just because if I want to change from black to blue or vice versa I can...The window tint is very easy...spray bottle, squeege, and a paper towel...pull it off if you mess up or if you dont want it anymore. Better? maybe not...Easier? Eh, depends I guess. I have never drilled an Aqueon tank on the bottom, always in the back glass...I may try the extra one I have in the garage in the bottom next time.

Can you post a picture of the tank, so I can see what it looks like. Thanks for all your help

 

[StevieD]

I have some left over tint in the garage, my 75 has the tint on it, ill see what I can get for ya

 

[zakstrong]

the window tint is nice but salt water will eventually make it peel off. the best thing ive seen is latex paint. it dries with a rubber texture and can easily be peeled off. should you want to change the color. that is assuming you have access to the back.

 

[deepreefer]

the window tint is nice but salt water will eventually make it peel off. the best thing ive seen is latex paint. it dries with a rubber texture and can easily be peeled off. should you want to change the color. that is assuming you have access to the back.

Does the latex paint also peel off from the saltwater or does it stay there permanently unless you peel it off? Thanks

 

[zakstrong]

it does peel off easily with a razor blade, better than tint in my opinion. if you dont see your self wanting to change the color. i would an acrylic paint. more difficult to take off but you wont need to repair it later on

 

[Charley Diesing]

If its a tank from Petco, and if its an Aqueon tank, chances are the bottom is not tempered...I have one from Marineland and one from Aqueon and theres a sticker in the bottom of the Marineland tank that says do not drill, but no sticker in the bottom of the Aqueon tank. Also, according to Aqueons website, they also say the bottom is not tempered...Heres the link, hope this helps.

http://www.aqueonproducts.com/assets/011/19107.pdf

As far as painting, paint whatever color you want, just make sure you prep the surface well so your paint sticks. Clean the glass really well and make sure its dry. I personally dont paint, I use window film (tint) cause I change my mind alot.

Little off topic. But what do you do to prep? Sand the back? I've had problems with my backdrop(spray painted black) I obviously didn't prep or anything. But I am redoing my tank(beans animal overflow, etc) In which I will be able to redo the backdrop. How do you prep?

 

[deepreefer]

it does peel off easily with a razor blade, better than tint in my opinion. if you dont see your self wanting to change the color. i would an acrylic paint. more difficult to take off but you wont need to repair it later on

Does the acrylic paint still work on glass? And when I paint it should the back side be vertical or horizontal? Also do I need to cover any of the other sides with tape or something? Thanks

 

[StevieD]

Little off topic. But what do you do to prep? Sand the back? I've had problems with my backdrop(spray painted black) I obviously didn't prep or anything. But I am redoing my tank(beans animal overflow, etc) In which I will be able to redo the backdrop. How do you prep?

Prep for me is cleaning the glass with rubbing alcohol and making sure there is no lint or streaks on the glass (I use vinyl tint)...Prep for paint wouldnt be much different, just make sure the glass is clean (no oils, silicone, grease?, etc), mask off what you DONT want painted (trim, side glass), and paint away

 

[tinkerman]

Yes mask off what you don't want paint on, clean glass I just use windex and do a good job, used krylon fusion spray paint use in thin layers. Has been fine for over 4 yrs. It will come off with a razorblade.

 

[tobyte1]

Why paint at all? On all my tanks, I make a 'curtain' out of upholstery vinyl. Usually do one side blue and the other black. They are velcroed to the back of the tank. Even on my 6 foot 210g, 6 inches from the wall, I can switch colors or remove the panel altogether in minutes. Works great for me.

 

[zakstrong]

vertical or horizontal doesnt matter. like said above just mask it off. i wouldnt recommend leaving it clear and hanging a sheet. you WILL get salt on the glass. you WILL notice it and you WILL hate it. you will be back there with a sqeegy.

+1 on rubbing alcohol to clean it.

 

[deepreefer]

When you guys say "mask off" that means put tape on the places I don't want paint on, right? Also when I'm painting it, after I'm done should I leave it outside, or bring it inside my house? The problem I see leaving it outside is that dust or other things can get on the paint, or the wind might mess it up. The problem I see bringing it inside is that if it starts dripping then I will have a stain somewhere. Can you guys please advise on how to avoid these problems, and to bring it inside, or leave it outside? Thanks

 

[StevieD]

mask off means tape off or tape paper to whatever you dont want paint on...and depending on where you live at this point in time, I dont suggest putting it outside in the winter...if you concerned about it dripping, do light coats of paint...one light coat, let it dry, check coverage...If needed, add a second light coat, let it dry, check coverage...it can dry where you painted it at, and if you have to bring it in the house, purchase a drop cloth, or use a tarp, or old sheet that you dont mind getting paint on...Its alot easier than you think, your just overthinking like alot of us do, I do it all the time lol

 

[tinkerman]

Yes put tape on anything you don't want paint on. I did mine in the garage and shut the door between coats. It depends on where you are doing it, If outside and temps are warm then yes you could bring it in after your done. If you are getting dripping then you are appling paint to thick. My first coat I could still see in the tank, second looked like tint, third cant see in tank and is solid black, fourth was a touch up coat. I would leave the tank dry for at least 24 hrs. The krylon fusion paint is 1 hr between coats. It is specificly for glass and plastic.