To Drill or Not to Drill... That is the question

JonezNReef

JonezNReef

Member
So I have had my 180 up and running for a little while now and all is well. Coral is growing with nice PE, rocks are turning purple, and fish are happy. The person who owned the tank before me had it set up as a peninsula so it has a massive over sized internal overflow inside the tank on one end.

So I was wondering since the inside of the overflow box is separate from the rest of the tank could I remove all bulkheads and silicone down a sheet of 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch glass to cover the holes. Then drill the upper portion on the same side and build and install an external overflow without draining the tank? Ive drilled plenty of tanks but never one that was filled. I honestly didn't even think of switching to an external overflow until recently :headwally: I have an HOB overflow I could use if this is possible so the silicone could cure before removing the internal box, but wanted to ask around and see what others thought before I dove into this project. I would gain almost an entire square foot of space or more on the bottom of the tank if I did this.

Thought, experiences, ideas, and opinions welcome!!
 
Sure that should work as long as you have room to keep water on the drill bit to keep it cool and can get rid of all the glass shards. As long as it doesn't crack you would be golden. Siliconing the old holes with glass is no issue at all. Of course make sure that end isn't tempered. I assume once you drill you will remove the glass partition?
 
I know it isn't tempered. I could have my wife or son spray the bit while I am drilling to keep the bit and glass cool and have towels inside the internal overflow to catch the glass bits that there might be. There isn't a glass partion in the tank, but if this was successful I would be removing the internal overflow. Should I go with 1/2 inch glass which I already have or purchase 3/4 inch to cover the holes on the bottom of the tank?
 
Here is a picture of the tank empty when I was setting it up. You can see the overflow box is bigger than most would want in there tank
3680cd56445f3a484693eb47d3b409e4.jpg


At the time I just thought I would cover it with a foam rock wall which worked but I think I want the space
c7f3c6ae922703a7f8b1ee29fb8c361b.jpg
 
ruiny said:
1/2 inch to cover the bottom holes is fine.
Click to expand...



Just drilled mine today. ¾" thick glass. Took forever. Took my time about 20 mins per hole and heavy with a water spray bottle. Finally can start plumbing. IMG_0133.jpgIMG_0132.jpg


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JonezNReef said:
Very nice! What size tank is that?
Click to expand...



150 40g sump. We'll be upgrading from a 75dt with 20g sump. We're super excited. Going to start some plumbing today. The two bulkheads on corners will he returns. The three bulkheads in the middle will be fitted with a bean animal drain system. Just have to get my overflow made.


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Yea I am not to worried about drilling tanks as most of the tank I own I drilled myself. Never had to do 3/4 inch before but my big worry was drilling it fully stocked. I am still up in the air though on weather I want to redrill it and take out the internal overflow. I like the foam wall I made and its starting to cover nicely in coralline algae but the extra room would be nice. But I am also considering possibly upgrading again in the next year or so to either a larger tank or atleast a new tank with starphire glass for the front.

Do you have a build thread for yours? Sounds like you are going to have a sweet set up
 
JonezNReef said:
Yea I am not to worried about drilling tanks as most of the tank I own I drilled myself. Never had to do 3/4 inch before but my big worry was drilling it fully stocked. I am still up in the air though on weather I want to redrill it and take out the internal overflow. I like the foam wall I made and its starting to cover nicely in coralline algae but the extra room would be nice. But I am also considering possibly upgrading again in the next year or so to either a larger tank or atleast a new tank with starphire glass for the front.

Do you have a build thread for yours? Sounds like you are going to have a sweet set up
Click to expand...



Not yet. But I'm taking pictures and plan on doing so! We are really excited for sure.


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Personally I have drilled a full tank. .. albeit only 20 gallons. .. the most nerve taking thing I have ever done. .. not sure I could handle the thought of 180g of water instantaneously on my floor...

That said I would be dumb enough to do it. ... however I would drain as much water as possible out of the tank. ..your chances of success would be considerably higher if the tank where only 1/4 full. .. at the very least half full. . After that. . Lots of water. .. lots of time. .. lots of patience. .. lots of towels. ..I would also not worry about the plug falling into the tank that much. .. any one with enough knowledge and courage to drill a tank knows there should be a solid piece of wood clamped to the back side of the hole..wether that it's in the tank or out side the tank... and the side you are filling from should have square hole template the same size and the holes you are drilling. .. if you are doing three holes make a template with three holes that way you don't have to move it between holes... best of luck...
 
JonezNReef said:
So I was wondering since the inside of the overflow box is separate from the rest of the tank could I remove all bulkheads and silicone down a sheet of 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch glass to cover the holes.
Click to expand...

Maybe I've not understood your plan. Are you planning on siliconing the
glass inside the tank with water in it?

Even if the overflow is completely sealed, you'd have to somehow clean and dry the glass inside the box to have a good surface for adhesion and then allow for a minimum of 1-2 weeks for the silicone to cure. Uncured silicone can be highly toxic.
 
In addition to Rybren's concern, you mentioned that you plan on upgrading within a year or so anyway. I would save the resources and put them toward the new tank. Ignoring all risks of the glass breaking, tank crash, etc., you are still talking probably $200 or more between glass, silicone, and plumbing parts in addition to the extra time spent working on it

You speak as if the tank is going well currently. Why risk it for an interim change before moving to a system that you can set up how you want it anyway?
 
Oh yeah as for the holes. .I would simply cap the bulkheads. ...covering them with a piece of glass it's not the most reliable route
 
Rybren said:
Maybe I've not understood your plan. Are you planning on siliconing the
glass inside the tank with water in it?

Even if the overflow is completely sealed, you'd have to somehow clean and dry the glass inside the box to have a good surface for adhesion and then allow for a minimum of 1-2 weeks for the silicone to cure. Uncured silicone can be highly toxic.
Click to expand...

Yes that was the plan. I have a HOB Overflow I had planned on using for a minimum of 1 week if I did do that. And the overflow box is close to 12"x12" so cleaning and drying inside of it wouldn't be much of a hassle.
 
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