I know that you cannot drill the bottom of an aquarium, but what about the back of the tank close to the bottom? I want to drill out the side, about 1" from the bottom, of a 125 gallon aquarium to plumb in a sump, running a 90 degree elbow inside the tank and up for the overflow to be "built in" to the tank... Able to be done safely?
Drilling Glass...
- Thread starter khumquat
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Mr Coffee
New member
depend on whether or not the glass is tempered. You can drill the bottom if not tempered. There are tests you can do with a laptop LCD and also polarized lenses or polorized pieces of plastic you can buy off of ebay. If you find the tank manufacturer they can often tell you if it is tempered. If not then yes it can be drilled there are a number of write ups on drilling glass and a nubmer of websites. Use a dam of plummers putty lots of water go slow and take your time follow the guide lines for how many holes how far apart and how far away from each other. Ultimatly do so at your own risk.
I would drill at the top of the tank and put a coast to coast overflow or bean style overflow. Drilling at the top will mean that if you have a leak will not drain the whole tank.
I would drill at the top of the tank and put a coast to coast overflow or bean style overflow. Drilling at the top will mean that if you have a leak will not drain the whole tank.
Def drill at the top for this reason. There is also some formula for drilling close to the edge of the glass... I do not remember it, but I'm sure someone will chime in with it. It stressed that there is a minimum distance from the edge of the glass that you can safely drill
uncleof6
Active member
Coast to Coast is full length, inside, of the back of the tank. Generally, 6 -7" high, and 4 - 5' wide. In most every case, it is better to drill high on the back of the tank, rather than through the bottom of the tank. (No need to hide plumbing inside the tank)
Holes need to be not less than 1 - 1.5x the hole diameter from the edges of the glass, and from each other. (Edge to edge)
Holes need to be not less than 1 - 1.5x the hole diameter from the edges of the glass, and from each other. (Edge to edge)
Thought so... I was thinking of doing a box of black ABS probably... 6" deep and 5-6" wide, the full length of the tank (72")... holes every 18" (18, 36, 54) 1" bulkheads plumbed to 1" pvc then into a 3 way 2" y-connector and down into a sump setup... Not sure if this is even ideal, but it'd be neat.
DaGoldenChild
New member
Anyone have any pics or diagram on how to build a c2c im looking to drill my tank and wondering the best way to build one
uncleof6
Active member
Um would you accept it if I told you NO DON'T DO THAT? (the 3 into 1 idea) um it would not even be neat...
http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx
I would black acrylic not ABS for the overflow---costs more, lasts longer.... (subjective observation)
uncleof6
Active member
Just two pieces of acrylic formed into an "L" using weld-on # 3 or # 4, the whole siliconed into the tank with the top edge of the "weir" lined up with the outside trim bottom (1" down from the top edge of the glass)
My advice. Buy this. Helped a lot!
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/plumbing/glass-drill-bits/glass-drill-bit-guide-thk.html
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/plumbing/glass-drill-bits/glass-drill-bit-guide-thk.html
screamingibis
New member
Drilling the bottom and having a leak will not drain your whole tank. It will only drain what's in the overflow box. I have a 60 gallon marineland cube that's bottom drilled. It's not a problem.
Lionfish666
New member
Drill the bottom, that way you can hide the pipes through the stand.
As someone mentioned you need an acrylic baffle w overflow so tank doesn't drain.
Here's mine before I finished the build so you can see what's there.
<a href="http://s1083.photobucket.com/albums/j394/ReeferBro/Nicks%20Reef%20tank%20build/?action=view¤t=IMG_20120818_122635.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j394/ReeferBro/Nicks%20Reef%20tank%20build/IMG_20120818_122635.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
As someone mentioned you need an acrylic baffle w overflow so tank doesn't drain.
Here's mine before I finished the build so you can see what's there.
<a href="http://s1083.photobucket.com/albums/j394/ReeferBro/Nicks%20Reef%20tank%20build/?action=view¤t=IMG_20120818_122635.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j394/ReeferBro/Nicks%20Reef%20tank%20build/IMG_20120818_122635.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
xdannyxrocksx
New member
Could just drill the top to be safe, go with c2c and paint the back of the tank to hide plumbing.
