Anyone ever drill an existing tank already setup????

[Pola0502ds]

My display tank uses a CPR external overflow box and I have been wanting to make it a internal overflow. Has anyone ever done this on an existing setup? I know I would have to completely empty the tank, drill, and put it all back together but I obviously have some concerns. Besides stress on the coral and fish, is there anything else to be worried about? I'm worried about disturbing the sand and releasing all the crap thats accumulated in it over the year I've had it.

 

[javman9]

Most tanks builders use tempered glass on the bottom it will explode if you even try, if your the original owner there would have been a sticker on the bottom stating that. If your that concerned about stirring the tank, imagine if you broke the bottom and had to star w a new set up?

 

[lariat8099]

He's actually correct on this. The bottom glass is tempered and as soon as the cutting tool etches into it. The bottom would shatter into a zillion shards of tempered glass. You should stay as you are less headache or get a new tank and upgrade your system. Happy Reefing

 

[Tokash23]

I was under the impression he was talking about drilling through the side (maybe im wrong) but seems to be more of a headache than its worth either way. You would, like you said, have to empty everything out to get the tank on its side to drill it, or find a way to do it while its standing up and just set something up on the inside to catch all the glass.

 

[Bradley Crocker]

Actually, tempering varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and by size of the tank, or thickness of the glass. I have a 42 gallon that's annealed glass all around.

Contact the manufacturer if possible.

 

[prsnlty]

You would need to remove the sandbed no matter how it could be drilled because of the glass dust and shards that would fall in it and drilling water. You will have to rinse it really well to reuse and would have a short (2-3 week) cycle. Provided you keep all your rock wet.

Now about the tank. You should be able to drill the side. I've never seen tempered glass sides and have drilled several tanks. I'd like to make a great overflow suggestion as I have now used it on 2 tanks and love it. H2Overflow and a siphon stop return. The overflow is barely noticeable if at all and offers adjustable flow. I have one on a 45 corner tank and one on a 30g. A single overflow is good for up to 100g. They cost about $70, easy to install and nearly invisible. Google it cuz I don't think the company is a sponsor here.


All you see on the 30g

Looking up from below the tank you can see the return on the left and overflow on the right. Takes up hardly any space.

 

[Pola0502ds]

You would need to remove the sandbed no matter how it could be drilled because of the glass dust and shards that would fall in it and drilling water. You will have to rinse it really well to reuse and would have a short (2-3 week) cycle. Provided you keep all your rock wet.

Now about the tank. You should be able to drill the side. I've never seen tempered glass sides and have drilled several tanks. I'd like to make a great overflow suggestion as I have now used it on 2 tanks and love it. H2Overflow and a siphon stop return. The overflow is barely noticeable if at all and offers adjustable flow. I have one on a 45 corner tank and one on a 30g. A single overflow is good for up to 100g. They cost about $70, easy to install and nearly invisible. Google it cuz I don't think the company is a sponsor here.


All you see on the 30g

Looking up from below the tank you can see the return on the left and overflow on the right. Takes up hardly any space.

Thank you, i will look into that overflow.

And im sorry i wasnt clear, i would be drilling one of the side panels. I have no interest in drilling the bottom.

 

[tjnorthdakota]

I wouldnt try drilling it loaded for the simple reason that any weight in it is going to cause stress on the glass and you dont know how its going to act like that, if you ever look at a tank from the side, even with braces you will notice a little bow to the glass

 

[cilyjr]

I've drilled a couple different tanks while inhabited. A smaller one and a large one. The tanks were both fine and an overflow kit was installed. Glassholes kits were used.

I BY NO MEANS RECOMMEND DOING THIS. I'm simply stating that I have done it. I thought it was a crazy idea but....

Neither tank was mine but I was asked for help. Both times the plan was the tanks owner. And admittedly I would have been..
A. More nervous were it my tank
B. Unlikely to attempt this at all if it were my tank.
That said both were successful and ran for a long time with no I'll effects.
Here's what we did.

Be Prepared for the worst. Ie having enough vessels to put any livestock in if there were a tank crash. and have alot of ro water made up.
As you need to drain at least 1/2 the tank put the water in a stock tank so it can be available fast.

As for getting ready to drill we drained about 1/2 the tank and marked where the holes needed to be.

Then made a wooden template so the drill wouldn't move around when starting the hole. Then clamped in place.

Both times there was access to the back of the tank which made the dust of little concern though any dust will be mostly silicon dioxide and is pretty insoluble (meaning you might as well throw a piece of quartz in there). We're I to drill inside out I would have something to catch the run off which will be tricky because the cooling liquid (let's assume ro/di) will want to run down the side and into the 1/2 full tank.

Then I drilled while a helper sprayed the area with cool water. The 2nd time we rigged a bucket and airline tubing and drilled a 1/4 hole in the side of the wooden template which allowed water to be dripped into the drilling area automatically.
Drilling a vertical panel of glass isn't any more difficult than a horizontal one. With any drilling don't apply much pressure let it "sand" away the hole. Thicker glass is actually less stressful (at least in my mind) as it's less prone to crack.
Then we installed the overflow and filled back up. I stayed to help with the 125 but left shortly after drilling the 2nd time.

Should you attempt this, having access to the back of the tank would be a big advantage. It will help with runoff and holding the drill straight.

Ultimately I would suggest emptying the tank into a stock tank and doing it properly. But I wanted to say that what the op is proposing has been done successfully.

Good luck whatever you choose.

 

[wkscott]

I've drilled a couple different tanks while inhabited. A smaller one and a large one. The tanks were both fine and an overflow kit was installed. Glassholes kits were used.

I BY NO MEANS RECOMMEND DOING THIS. I'm simply stating that I have done it. I thought it was a crazy idea but....

Neither tank was mine but I was asked for help. Both times the plan was the tanks owner. And admittedly I would have been..
A. More nervous were it my tank
B. Unlikely to attempt this at all if it were my tank.
That said both were successful and ran for a long time with no I'll effects.
Here's what we did.

Be Prepared for the worst. Ie having enough vessels to put any livestock in if there were a tank crash. and have alot of ro water made up.
As you need to drain at least 1/2 the tank put the water in a stock tank so it can be available fast.

As for getting ready to drill we drained about 1/2 the tank and marked where the holes needed to be.

Then made a wooden template so the drill wouldn't move around when starting the hole. Then clamped in place.

Both times there was access to the back of the tank which made the dust of little concern though any dust will be mostly silicon dioxide and is pretty insoluble (meaning you might as well throw a piece of quartz in there). We're I to drill inside out I would have something to catch the run off which will be tricky because the cooling liquid (let's assume ro/di) will want to run down the side and into the 1/2 full tank.

Then I drilled while a helper sprayed the area with cool water. The 2nd time we rigged a bucket and airline tubing and drilled a 1/4 hole in the side of the wooden template which allowed water to be dripped into the drilling area automatically.
Drilling a vertical panel of glass isn't any more difficult than a horizontal one. With any drilling don't apply much pressure let it "sand" away the hole. Thicker glass is actually less stressful (at least in my mind) as it's less prone to crack.
Then we installed the overflow and filled back up. I stayed to help with the 125 but left shortly after drilling the 2nd time.

Should you attempt this, having access to the back of the tank would be a big advantage. It will help with runoff and holding the drill straight.

Ultimately I would suggest emptying the tank into a stock tank and doing it properly. But I wanted to say that what the op is proposing has been done successfully.

Good luck whatever you choose.

You are way braver than I'll ever be. I'm also too lazy to even consider moving my rocks, corals, sand, etc. I just can't see the upside here vs. potential damage.

 

[cilyjr]

Like I said I don't recommend it. The bravery comes easy when it's not your tank...the 1st time was in an unfinished basement as well. I should have mentioned that

 

[Captain Jack]

Yea, vertical drilling isn't much harder than horizontal drilling, just need to have an assistant keep a steady spray of water on it. If you tape off the inside good (tape over the hole your drilling) then barely anything would get into the tank and before you peel the tape with the glass circle stuck to it, put a Tupperware container under it, to catch anything from falling into tank. I have a suction cup with adjustable end that came with my diamond holesaw kit, this holds the drill bit from wobbling and should be used on a vertical drill job.