75 Aqueon Drill or not to drill

Boatman220 · Jul 17, 2022

First time poster. Hello everyone.
I hope to get some definitive help here. I purchased a new 75 gallon Aqueon tank about 3 weeks ago and want to know if the back can be drilled. The website says the bottom is tempered but says nothing about the sides. Does anyone know? Thanks

Peace River · Jul 17, 2022

#WelcometoR2R!!! Usually the Aqueon tanks are not tempered on the back, but I would still use the polarized sunglasses test before drilling to make sure. Commodity tanks have been known to use whatever glass is available in a pinch and you don't want to be surprised. Good luck!

N1tew0lf1212 · Jul 17, 2022

More and more temper tanks from aqeuon have been coming out there customer service has stated they have started using tempered on all glass. Just as a jeads up the temper test with polarized sunglasses is the best route to go. Search google.....They have also not been labling there tempered glass like the typically do for the side panels so it is a toss up to be honest some things ive read has indicated that they have been sending fully tempered tanks since as early as 2017 when orders went up. Be cautious as the only way to tell is with the polarized test.

shakacuz · Jul 18, 2022

welcome aboard the r2r board! as mentioned, do a polarized glasses test to see if the glass is drillable.

Bucs20fan · Jul 18, 2022

I would buy an eshopps HOB overflow before I drill an aqueon tank. Not that it cannot be done, or be done right and still look good. HOB overflows have come a long way and would work nicely.

NowGlazeIT · Jul 18, 2022

My 75 aqueon came with a do not drill label next to the manufacturer sticker. I called Aqueon and the tech told me everything besides their 90g and 60g breeder comes tempered now on all sides. My polarized sunglasses say otherwise. Proceed with caution. Let us know what you decide on

Celestion · Jul 18, 2022

It was only the floor, Always check for polerized glass build, Petco sale is super, Aqueon 75 gallon uses 5/16 glass thickness, kinda a thin glass, when full looks scary, a bit, even brand new, I wouldn't hole it, get a fx6 or 2 tidal 110 lol. Marinelands new 75gallon uses 5 tempered panels 3/16 glass, very clear very light, talk about a thin seal lol wow new silicone must be strong, difinativ master here

NowGlazeIT · Jul 18, 2022

Aqueon 75 Gallon From Petco All Sides Tempered?

What are the chances of all panes on an Aqueon 75 gallon tank from Petco being tempered? All panes show stripes with my laptop and polarized sunglasses. I tested a known non-tempered piece of glass and the glasses blacked out. I am going to return the tank tomorrow and see if I can bring my...

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jft · Jul 18, 2022

USE an Hang on tank overflow then in the future you Have no issues if you want to change biotope to a Paluadarium or fresh water.

Boatman220 · Jul 19, 2022

I just want to thank everyone for your experiences. The conclusion I'm going with. Is the polarized test is the most reliable information to go by. Hope I'm reading my test correctly. I'm going to drill. Aqueon can't help because they don't know. Meeting production is there primary goal. I'm sure tempered glass cost a bit more but not at the cost of loosing the order. So they switch back and forth. My local Petco has been great with letting me check tanks. Being a newbie I'm going with polarized testing and drilling. Wish me luck.

Peace River · Jul 19, 2022

One tip when you are drilling the tank - don't think of it as drilling a hole like you would with a hole saw drilling into wood, instead think of it as grinding the glass to create the hole. Take your time, add water, and go sloooow (and even slower at the end when the water starts to drip through the hole). Good luck!

ScubaFish802 · Jul 19, 2022

Worse case, Petco has all Aqueon tanks 50% right now. I just picked up a new 20 long for QT.
I saw another customer picking up 2 of the 75s because of the sale

NowGlazeIT · Jul 19, 2022

Boatman220 said:
I just want to thank everyone for your experiences. The conclusion I'm going with. Is the polarized test is the most reliable information to go by. Hope I'm reading my test correctly. I'm going to drill. Aqueon can't help because they don't know. Meeting production is there primary goal. I'm sure tempered glass cost a bit more but not at the cost of loosing the order. So they switch back and forth. My local Petco has been great with letting me check tanks. Being a newbie I'm going with polarized testing and drilling. Wish me luck.

Good show and good luck reefer

cdnco2004 · Aug 2, 2022

Well me and my friend just tried to drill a Aqueon 75 gallon last night. My glasses don't seem to work for the test. I figured I had no issues with my last 2 Aqueon 75 gallons we should be good. Nope... Started to drill and it shattered but stayed in one piece. We measured the glass thickness on the other 2 that drilled fine and the thickness of the glass was 0.24" where the one we got last month during the Petco 50% off sale is only 0.18". So I guess they use tempered glass on their thinner glass versions. I thought I had read they used 3/8" or 0.37" on Aqueon website. So I don't know what to believe other than next time when we go to PetCo to get one I will be bringing my calipers with me to measure the glass first.

Rowboman · Aug 2, 2022

Boatman220 said:
I just want to thank everyone for your experiences. The conclusion I'm going with. Is the polarized test is the most reliable information to go by. Hope I'm reading my test correctly. I'm going to drill. Aqueon can't help because they don't know. Meeting production is there primary goal. I'm sure tempered glass cost a bit more but not at the cost of loosing the order. So they switch back and forth. My local Petco has been great with letting me check tanks. Being a newbie I'm going with polarized testing and drilling. Wish me luck.

Definitely do the polarized glasses test. I drilled into my 29 gallon for an overflow last month with it only partially drained successfully, but I did discover with the glasses test that the two side panels were tempered glass and there was no warning label on the tank. So it’s definitely risky. Also, check the side windows on your car first to make sure your doing the test right because they legally have to be made with tempered glass. Good luck sir

NowGlazeIT · Aug 2, 2022

cdnco2004 said:
Well me and my friend just tried to drill a Aqueon 75 gallon last night. My glasses don't seem to work for the test. I figured I had no issues with my last 2 Aqueon 75 gallons we should be good. Nope... Started to drill and it shattered but stayed in one piece. We measured the glass thickness on the other 2 that drilled fine and the thickness of the glass was 0.24" where the one we got last month during the Petco 50% off sale is only 0.18". So I guess they use tempered glass on their thinner glass versions. I thought I had read they used 3/8" or 0.37" on Aqueon website. So I don't know what to believe other than next time when we go to PetCo to get one I will be bringing my calipers with me to measure the glass first.

You say the glass stayed in place? How did the break look in comparison?