65 Gallon Marineland Aquarium drilling

[ReefinDan]

Hey everyone. New to Reef Central so I am hoping to have a good experience here. Hoping to get a honest and 110% answer for this question.
I have a 65 gallon marineland aquarium I am planning on doing a reef setup with sump. I contacted marineland via their website and asked if the 65 gallon column tank was drillable. A person by the name of BREX, who seems to answer a lot of peoples questions on the website, said that the 65 gallon column tank was drillable but not the bottom panel and that it will also void the warranty. I am fine with this as long as I can even attempt to drill the glass. There is a sticker on the bottom glass that reads "tempered glass, do not drill" I know already that tempered glass cannot be drilled. Are the side pieces tempered? I tried to contact marineland but they were closed. Has anyone else on here drilled a 65 gallon marineland aquarium, Part #10650? Thanks in advance. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[drillsar]

I have a 75 gallon marineland and I drilled the back. Most aquariums the side or back is not tempered as it's cheaper.

 

[ReefinDan]

Well, I will be giving it a shot later on this week coming up. From what I am understanding, the sides are annealed and the bottom is the only tempered piece. If anyone else has some good advice please let me know soon. Like I said, whoever BREX is at Marineland, he told me on the website that that specific tank was drillable so hopefully all will be well.

 

[EvenFurther]

If it was me, I would still check the panel before drilling. All it takes is polarized sunglasses and a laptop screen with blank MS Paint background. The stress lines in tempered glass are easy to spot out. That sticker is very common on tanks with tempered only bottom panels. Still check to be sure.

 

[ReefinDan]

I tried that last night with polarized glasses and all the glasses did was turn black. Even on the bottom panel.

 

[drillsar]

I am almost positive the bottom is only tempered. Only smaller tanks may have a issue with all glass either thin or tempered. However, did you try contacting Marineland themselves? Of course they will say it voids the warranty

 

[ReefinDan]

Great news. Marineland got back to me and let me know that only bottom glass is tempered and the sides are annealed. Just to double check I used a laptop to do my own at home verification check. Bottom panel striped and the sides blacked out. Drilling is a go! Thanks for your help guys.

 

[crocogator106]

Great news. Marineland got back to me and let me know that only bottom glass is tempered and the sides are annealed. Just to double check I used a laptop to do my own at home verification check. Bottom panel striped and the sides blacked out. Drilling is a go! Thanks for your help guys.

Update your progress if you don't mind. I'm about to drill my 75g and I'd like to know how it turns out.

 

[ReefinDan]

Will do. I plan on documenting the whole build.

 

[andyg1960]

A video of your drilling process would be great, too

 

[Ajae]

did you get the kit from petsmart? if so its the same one that i have drilled before, it's good to go on the back and sides.

 

[drillsar]

Drilling a tank is easy.. The trick is slow and put the drill on the lowest setting torgue and gradually work up the torgue.. Plenty of water as well