suggestions?

[Brent Porterfie]

Anyone who has a thought on this I would like to hear it.

Drilling an undrilled tank vs. using an siphon oferflow.
Lets hear the pros and cons of both.

 

[Prater]

Drilling is the best in my opinion. I have had a couple of overflows stop up and pour onto the floor and that makes the wife very unhappy. Most everyone that uses overflow ha no problem with them, but I have this thing called Prater Affect that is sorta like Murphy's Law.

Downside to drilling is if its tempered and you do not know it. It will shatter before you are finished drilling through.

Just my opinion.

 

[Marine_Junkie]

My experience with overflows is like Prater's, Not goood. I have to constantly monitor the air bubbles inside the siphon. I would drill in the back if you are not sure if the bottom is tampered or not.

 

[poke75]

I agree.

I have had two tanks I drilled. I had problems with air getting in the U pipes and stoping the flow when I was using overflows. No floods thank goodness, Just no flow through the sump.

no problems with the drilled tankes.

 

[pwhitby]

I see a tank drilling demo may well be required in the near future.

P.

 

[Prater]

I still have my drill and bits if needed for the demo.

 

[poke75]

Steve,

you really need to try the Dremal tool and diamond bit.

WAY easier, quicker, quieter, cleaner and cheaper.

That's my opinion of course and there is always the likelyhood that I used the drill incorrectly.

 

[Dtking]

My question is... I have heard of people drilling tempered glass who have succseeded... I think... IS this true??? If so, MAYBE AT A COMAS MEETING?!?!

-Dusitn

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9077262#post9077262 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dtking
My question is... I have heard of people drilling tempered glass who have succseeded... I think... IS this true??? If so, MAYBE AT A COMAS MEETING?!?!

-Dusitn

You cannot drill tempered glass, period. Trust me, I've tried.

Brent, the pros of having a drilled tank far out way the few pros of a syphon based overflow.

 

[Joshua76]

so is the bottom of any given tank the only tempered part?

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9078444#post9078444 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Joshua76
so is the bottom of any given tank the only tempered part?

It's safe to say that yes, only the bottom is tempered. But, that isn't the case with all tanks. You might want to contact the manufacturer for more information on your tank size before you start drilling.

 

[Joshua76]

thanks travis

 

[papagimp]

Well, let me add a little bit to this: I have several tanks and all that use a sump/fuge have external u-tube style overflows and I also have a continuous syphon overflow as well. And for the record, if given a choice, knowing what I do now, I would drill the tanks instead. I've never had a "problem" per say, but do notice a big difference in the noise from an external overflow vs. an internal drilled one. And I do get worried everytime I hear my overflow gurgle and surge (does this periodically)

 

[jkhudson]

I listen for the gurgle in my overflow. It lets me know that its time to add water. I would love to drill my tank, however draining, storing my tank's inhabitants, refilling and replumbing just seems a very daunting task. If someone does a demo or class on drilling I hope these topics are also covered.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9081817#post9081817 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jkhudson
I listen for the gurgle in my overflow. It lets me know that its time to add water. I would love to drill my tank, however draining, storing my tank's inhabitants, refilling and replumbing just seems a very daunting task. If someone does a demo or class on drilling I hope these topics are also covered.

Buckets, airstones, and heaters is really all you need. It doesn't take very long to drill a tank.

 

[captbunzo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9081889#post9081889 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Travis L. Stevens
Buckets, airstones, and heaters is really all you need. It doesn't take very long to drill a tank.

That and one heck of a backup plan in case you break the tank....

And yes, you CAN drill temperated glass. Well, maybe not any of us, but it can be done. HOWEVER, if drilling regular glass is like a 3 on a difficulty scale of 1-10, then drilling tempered is like a 3000. EXTREMELY difficult and should only be attempted by experts in drilling glass (which doesn't include ANY of us).

And NO!!! It is not at ALL safe to assume only the bottom of a tank is tempered. Take these lovely pictures for example. (Click for bigger versions)









That is a 55g tank that I was setting up about a year ago. That was an annoying mistake in that it meant I not only had to replace the broken pane of glass, but also the frame. On the funny side, I was being so anal-retentively slow that I was actually HALFWAY THROUGH THE GLASS when it finally broke. Funny stuff

NOW, if you can discover a tank is NOT tempered, then drill away. Whether using a diamond hole saw (like in my pics) or the dremel bit option (which I have done as well and works great).

 

[Brent Porterfie]

Is there any quick way to test if the back wall is tempered? or is contacting the manuf. the only way?

 

[captbunzo]

Yes - hit it with a hammer. If it cracks, it is not ... if it shatters, it is.

Sorry, but that is the only way that I know. But you should be able to figure that out. Also, your tank is pretty good sized (100g) and usually the bigger ones are not made with tempered walls.

Do you know who the manufacturer is? Also, check under the bottom glass for a sticker, if you can access under there from under the stand. It might comment as to the tempering or not of the glass.

 

[Prater]

Almost all new 55 gallon tanks are tempered. Most larger tanks just the bottom is tempered. They generally have a tempered glass warning on the tank if its not ancient...

 

[NewBeReef627]

I have a new 75gal I want to have drilled. I can bring it to an upcoming meeting if you want to use it in the drilling class. The bottom is tempered but the walls are not.

Lori