TO DRILL/BUILT IN OVERFLOWS or TO GET OVERFLOW BOXES?
- Thread starter ohiorn67
- Start date
fishieness
Active Member
i have a tank that is not drilled, but i would like to have a sump/fuge.... does anyone have any alternatives to an overflow box or any plans for one maybe ? 
evilbob22
Member
It is possible, but your not supposed to drill tempered glass. Check out the equipment & DIY forum, I know Squidd has drilled his own glass tank (he drilled his sump for a return), but I'm to nervous to ruin my 150 to even try it.
Ophiura, cracking the glass isn't a reason to get an overflow box... it's a reason to get a bigger tank with the overflows built in!
Ophiura, cracking the glass isn't a reason to get an overflow box... it's a reason to get a bigger tank with the overflows built in!
ohiorn67
Member
love all the opinions....geeeeeee, guess i will get a drilled tank!!! I am really looking forward to having the sump and majority of my equipment being in the sump. I love the remoraC hang on skimmer but it is a bit noisier than I would like....does a great job though....just went to a friends house and her tank was silent.....ahhhhhhhhh....
golfish
Active Member
built in over flows are a little more reliable, the down side is they take up more room. I used a small HOB overflow for 10+ years, it NEVER failed..Since then I've had all my tanks built with overflows.
If the glass is tempered you can't drill it..Most tank builders (most that I know of) will use tempered glasson the bottom so be sure before you drill.
If the glass is tempered you can't drill it..Most tank builders (most that I know of) will use tempered glasson the bottom so be sure before you drill.
jamiehag
Member
Originally Posted by bchbum189
im guessing theres no way of drilling a glass tank? how could you without it cracking?
You can have any tank drilled as long as it is NOT temperd glass (most tanks are only temperd on the bottoms as was mine) it really is not that hard to do it just takes time and a diamond tipped bit. I actaully have a 2.5" diamond bit for sale that drills for 1.5" bulkheads. I bought the bit to drill the back of my 150 gallon reef for 2 1.5" drains to the sump. The bits are expensive about $80 for the economy one that is supposed to drill about 15-20 holes through 5/8" glass. Cracking the glass really is hard to do.... you do not press hard to drill glass you "grind" through the glass. It takes about 5-8 min with a slow RPM and water running on the bit to cool while drilling. If anyone is intrested in buying the bit from me let me know......make an offer remember I paid $80 and only drilld 2 holes with it. It has plenty of life left in it yet.
im guessing theres no way of drilling a glass tank? how could you without it cracking?
You can have any tank drilled as long as it is NOT temperd glass (most tanks are only temperd on the bottoms as was mine) it really is not that hard to do it just takes time and a diamond tipped bit. I actaully have a 2.5" diamond bit for sale that drills for 1.5" bulkheads. I bought the bit to drill the back of my 150 gallon reef for 2 1.5" drains to the sump. The bits are expensive about $80 for the economy one that is supposed to drill about 15-20 holes through 5/8" glass. Cracking the glass really is hard to do.... you do not press hard to drill glass you "grind" through the glass. It takes about 5-8 min with a slow RPM and water running on the bit to cool while drilling. If anyone is intrested in buying the bit from me let me know......make an offer remember I paid $80 and only drilld 2 holes with it. It has plenty of life left in it yet.
jamiehag
Member
Originally Posted by EvilBob22
It is possible, but your not supposed to drill tempered glass. Check out the equipment & DIY forum, I know Squidd has drilled his own glass tank (he drilled his sump for a return), but I'm to nervous to ruin my 150 to even try it.
Ophiura, cracking the glass isn't a reason to get an overflow box... it's a reason to get a bigger tank with the overflows built in!
yes squidd drilled his sump but it was NOT temperd glass.
Yes it is possible to drill temperd glass but near IMPOSSIBLE without shattering it. Drilled glass that is temperd is drilled prior to being temperd. The prosess of tempering glass is heating it up untill it glows red, the surface of the glass is stretched from the heat and causes a a "pull" on the ******** of the glass making it about 10 times harder to break than non temperd glass. However once the surface tension of temperd glass is broke the pull from the ******** of the glass causes it to shatter into a millon little peices.
It is possible, but your not supposed to drill tempered glass. Check out the equipment & DIY forum, I know Squidd has drilled his own glass tank (he drilled his sump for a return), but I'm to nervous to ruin my 150 to even try it.
Ophiura, cracking the glass isn't a reason to get an overflow box... it's a reason to get a bigger tank with the overflows built in!
yes squidd drilled his sump but it was NOT temperd glass.
Yes it is possible to drill temperd glass but near IMPOSSIBLE without shattering it. Drilled glass that is temperd is drilled prior to being temperd. The prosess of tempering glass is heating it up untill it glows red, the surface of the glass is stretched from the heat and causes a a "pull" on the ******** of the glass making it about 10 times harder to break than non temperd glass. However once the surface tension of temperd glass is broke the pull from the ******** of the glass causes it to shatter into a millon little peices.
jer4916
Active Member
im currently setting up a reef tank, it has an over flow in the center with drilled holes,..it was a HUGE pain to set up..(im new to plumbing) ...word of advice, go to a pool shop for your parts. but drilled does seem to be looking like a good investment,...if your looking to buy a tank i would personally get an acylic tank if i were you, what i did...i have mine full...and the rounded corners look amazing, everyone that comes over says how much better it looks then a standard glass tank...plus its more clear then glass.
just my 2 cents.
~chris
just my 2 cents.
~chris