Project External Glass Overflow
- Thread starter Tunjee
- Start date
RayLovesNemos
New member
Tunjee...u overkilled it man GREAT job lucky fish u got there 
I dont have that luxury tunjee lol. My flow tests will be on the stand in my living room when I move my current 50 into it. I am sure things will be ok. I went nutso with the silicone and I have only a small return pump. The only thing I'm worried about is the fact I have 2 small scratches in the front viewing pane (I didnt put them there tho). I hope it holds :|
125 gallon AGA
125 gallon AGA
I have used the Dremel with the diamond bits on several practice tanks. I am now prepared to cut a new 125 aga for external overflows.
The tank dimensions are 72x18x22.
Is there any reason why I should not cut the slots on the sides of the tank versus the back?
The tank is mounted into the wall so viewing will be from the front only.
I plan on cutting 18 slots over nine inches on each side of the tank.
The slots will be 1" tall by 1/4" wide with a 1/2" space between them.
I figure this will give about 1200 gallons of flow. Does anyone have suggestions, comments, or advice before I begin.
Thanks
Immo
125 gallon AGA
I have used the Dremel with the diamond bits on several practice tanks. I am now prepared to cut a new 125 aga for external overflows.
The tank dimensions are 72x18x22.
Is there any reason why I should not cut the slots on the sides of the tank versus the back?
The tank is mounted into the wall so viewing will be from the front only.
I plan on cutting 18 slots over nine inches on each side of the tank.
The slots will be 1" tall by 1/4" wide with a 1/2" space between them.
I figure this will give about 1200 gallons of flow. Does anyone have suggestions, comments, or advice before I begin.
Thanks
Immo
125 gallon AGA
125 gallon AGA
Well I just drew out the template and I calculated the number of slots wrong. If I have the slots 1/2" apart it will only permit 13 slots over 9.25 inches.
Can anyone think of any reason why I should not cut the slots on the sides of the tank versus the back?
125 gallon AGA
Well I just drew out the template and I calculated the number of slots wrong. If I have the slots 1/2" apart it will only permit 13 slots over 9.25 inches.
Can anyone think of any reason why I should not cut the slots on the sides of the tank versus the back?
NuclearReefs
Active member
I think a 1/4 is to close.. you will have to be VERY careful in drilling those with a dremel..IMO
Nathan
Nathan
SOMEthinsFISHY
New member
trust me 1/4 inch is too close ive done it and the last one is the one that breaks !
stuntjester1
New member
i can see this coming it to play now. Maybe not a overflow box, but im see a fuge coming into play....
Tunjee
New member
Re: 125 gallon AGA
Re: 125 gallon AGA
The side panels integral strength is stronger than the rear panels due to its center fulcrum point being shorter to the edge so I think it would be better to cut it into the side as compared to the back.
Are you leaving the top of the teeth connected? If so then I would say 1/4" spacing is OK. Oh and have you practiced on glass of this thickness before? This will be pretty amazing when it's done.
Re: 125 gallon AGA
immo said:
The side panels integral strength is stronger than the rear panels due to its center fulcrum point being shorter to the edge so I think it would be better to cut it into the side as compared to the back.
Are you leaving the top of the teeth connected? If so then I would say 1/4" spacing is OK. Oh and have you practiced on glass of this thickness before? This will be pretty amazing when it's done.
steve68
New member
i just did my 50 gallon breeder & maybee u can get an idea
my glass was 1/2 so i think u will fine.
www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=444094
my glass was 1/2 so i think u will fine.
www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=444094
One slot took me 45 minutes
One slot took me 45 minutes
Attached is a picture of the side of my AGA 125. The glass is 3/8" thick. As you can see the tank is in the wall so I had to cut it vertical. My daughter sprayed water while I cut. It took me 40 minutes to cut the one slot. If I do one a night it will take me a month.
I think I want to try the rotozip bit. Steve68, what is the model number on the bit?
I can practice on a cracked 55 gallon that I have. I just do not want to screw up my 125. I don't want to wait 30 days either.
Immo
One slot took me 45 minutes
Attached is a picture of the side of my AGA 125. The glass is 3/8" thick. As you can see the tank is in the wall so I had to cut it vertical. My daughter sprayed water while I cut. It took me 40 minutes to cut the one slot. If I do one a night it will take me a month.
I think I want to try the rotozip bit. Steve68, what is the model number on the bit?
I can practice on a cracked 55 gallon that I have. I just do not want to screw up my 125. I don't want to wait 30 days either.
Immo
NuclearReefs
Active member
i can barley see that LOL,, the PDF format isnt the best for posting ,, but it looks like a Long month,, It only took me 20 minutes to drill a 20 long and do a 2 3/4 inch circle....
Dremel Bit 7103 and 7134 are the ones I used.. the 7103 looks like the end of a ball point pen and thats what I started my hole with .. then I switched bits and saw'd up and down with the 7134 in a circle.... piece o cake ...
Dremel Bit 7103 and 7134 are the ones I used.. the 7103 looks like the end of a ball point pen and thats what I started my hole with .. then I switched bits and saw'd up and down with the 7134 in a circle.... piece o cake ...
puckbs
Active member
First, Nuclear...LOVE the avatar..classic...
Second...i don't remember reading anything about it, so forgive me if it was already mentioned...why not drill the teeth right into the glass? and then could you pain the outside of the tank (the inside of the overflow) to keep light out? is there a safe paint??
Its an amazing idea and it looks great, i'm playin with the idea of modifying my 40 or my 29 now
Second...i don't remember reading anything about it, so forgive me if it was already mentioned...why not drill the teeth right into the glass? and then could you pain the outside of the tank (the inside of the overflow) to keep light out? is there a safe paint??
Its an amazing idea and it looks great, i'm playin with the idea of modifying my 40 or my 29 now
SOMEthinsFISHY
New member
Immo wow that must of took a long time !!
mr_alberta
New member
Would it be bad if you were to continue the slot right to the top of the tank? Would it weaken the glass structurally?
I was thinking about cutting a slot out of my 46"Lxx19"Lx30"H = ~110G with 1/2" glass (no centerbrace) but with the slot going all the way through the top of the glass. The slot would end up being ~21"L and about 2"H.
Thanks.
I was thinking about cutting a slot out of my 46"Lxx19"Lx30"H = ~110G with 1/2" glass (no centerbrace) but with the slot going all the way through the top of the glass. The slot would end up being ~21"L and about 2"H.
Thanks.
steve68 said:tunjee i just drilled my 50 gallon breeder on the side with a rotozip bit that cuts tile went right through took 20 minutes to do the whole thing, the tank is going to be viewed from 3 sides so thats why the hole is on the side hole is 12 inch long by 1.5 wide.
thanks for the inspiration bro
tank has 1/2 inch thick glass no center brace
mr_alberta
New member
Wow seriously?? Thankfully I haven't started cutting yet. Thanks for the warning Aquaduck....looks like I'll have to do the run of the mill, drilled bottom overflow.
