Drilling starphire (help please)

Ok so I have a 120 gallon 48x24x24 euro braced starphire tank. The old owner used it as a sump (must have had alot of $$$ laying around). I got it spotless and looking great. It only has one 3" hole drilled on the bottom of the right side panel. I considered a punisula tank but I dont have a location for it. Also I dont want a side overflow and my last tank had 2 2" holes drilled on the back roughly 2.5" from the top with 90 degree elbows for the overflow and I loved it. I want to do this again. Im not too familiar with starphire other than it looks amazing. Im curious if its any different than drilling non tempered glass. Or mainly can it be drilled? And is it something I could do or should I have a shop do it? Any input would be great! Thanks guys.
 

al&burke

Active Member
You could build an internal overflow box around the hole - what you will need to do is get a bulkhead that will fit in the 3" hole - then on the inside put an elbow turned up - then add a straight piece to the elbow to bring it up to the level you wish to keep your tank at - if it is euro braced then you would probably want to go at least 3/4" below the bracing. Google duraso(spelling) pipes - at the top of the vertical riser you could add a tee to help reduce the sound of the water draining. I think it is totally doable with the 3" hole drilled on the side of the side of the tank. The internal overflow would be built into the corner to conceal the pipe. Sounds like a nice tank I can draw you up a quick sketch if you like.
 

al&burke

Active Member
Here is the drawing I came up with - you could do this or just plug it and redrill where you want your drains.

 

acrylic51

Active Member
Drilling Starphire is no different than drilling other glass.....Key......Patiences......
As far as the overflow setup I'd honestly suggest looking at the BeanAnimal overflow. I suggest that due to the ease of tuning over the traditional Durso, which do need adjusted from time to time, and keeping them quiet can be another issue.....Can be done, but I'm sure if you google BeanAnimal overflow setup you'll like it.
I do agree though with Al on the internal overflow box....Doesn't have to be huge, but is way more efficient at surface skimming than elbows in the tank as proposed.........
 
Awesome. I'm still considering the overflow on the side but it will take up a lot of viewing space. I think drilling it will be best and I will look into that overflow. Thanks again
 

acrylic51

Active Member
Could you give an idea how the tank will be set up? You had mentioned/hinted possibly a peninsula? Is it going to possible sit open against a wall? There are ways to hide conceal an overflow on the end depending on your stand design.
 
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