Drilling holes vs. HOB overflow?

[d.w.]

I'm looking into buying a used glass tank and I'm going over to have a look at it and make the final decision. The tank is not drilled but the guy who is selling it drills tanks and he says that he would drill it for me if I want but that he will only do so after I have bought the tank. If the glass were to break during drilling (he says he's never had one break before) he would not cover the repairs. I assume that this is actually a common policy when it comes to drilling glass. My question is should I take the risk and drill the overflow holes or should I look into a good HOB overflow? I'm looking to weigh the pros and cons for both options so I can make my decision.

 

[ackdaddy]

If he is going to make you buy it then drill holes in it.......and he breaks it, then u have to pay for it. You are better off buying a new one from a store and just paying them to drill it cuz if they break it its on them.

 

[ophiura]

How big is the tank, and how old?

 

[maeistero]

he should cover it if it breaks. especially since he is so confident in his abilities to drill. it's really simple and not at all risky if you know your hole bit is newer and you have adequate liquid on the site.
i will always go for drilling my own.

 

[fitchguy]

I say let him drill it! He is just saying that to cover his own butt and just in case. It depends on how much you are buying it for as well. You know like condoms are only 99.9% effective but you don't see anyone caring about that .1% now do yah?

Ask him to see the other tanks that he has drilled if he has any. Either way, drilling a tank really is not that hard, it just takes a steady hand with good drilling technique. GO FOR IT!!

 

[lesleybird]

Neither....find a used tank that is reef ready already drilled.

 

[d.w.]

The tank is 160 gallon and he was using it for FW so that's why it isn't reef ready. I'm not sure how old the tank is, but I do know that with the deal that he is offering me it would be cheaper for me to let him drill the tank and then "if" the glass breaks replace the glass than to buy a new tank all together.