Aqueon 40 breeder drilling

hig789 · Sep 14, 2015

I bought a Aqueon 40 breeder from petsmart for $40 to drill for a overflow and from my research the back glass is drillable. But I was looking at it last night and it doesn't have the tempered glass tag showing the bottom is tempered. Only had this tag. The 20l I bought for a sump doesn't have a tag at all on it.

I assume this is them covering their liability since they know people are going to drill them but I just wanted to be sure.

redfishbluefish · Sep 14, 2015

You need to test the glass to see if it's tempered. You will need a smart phone/tablet/laptop/etc., and a pair of polarized sunglasses. With a white screen on the electronic device, place it inside the tank. With sunglasses on, turn the electronic device until you see the screen go black. If it's a solid black screen, the glass is not tempered. If you see blotches of white, it's tempered.

I too had a tank that had a label, do not drill. When I tested the tank, it wasn't tempered, and had not problem drilling it.

hig789 · Sep 14, 2015

redfishbluefish said:
You need to test the glass to see if it's tempered. You will need a smart phone/tablet/laptop/etc., and a pair of polarized sunglasses. With a white screen on the electronic device, place it inside the tank. With sunglasses on, turn the electronic device until you see the screen go black. If it's a solid black screen, the glass is not tempered. If you see blotches of white, it's tempered.

I too had a tank that had a label, do not drill. When I tested the tank, it wasn't tempered, and had not problem drilling it.

Cool. I'll test it out. Figured they were just covering themselves. Everything I have read is that they are not tempered.

Nitroq2 · Nov 25, 2015

Well did you drill it? I bought one and was about to drill the back and seen the same thing.

hig789 · Nov 25, 2015

Nitroq2 said:
Well did you drill it? I bought one and was about to drill the back and seen the same thing.

Two 60mm holes and a 24mm.

glb · Nov 25, 2015

I think the bottom glass is the only tempered one on that tank.

Nitroq2 · Nov 25, 2015

Awesome, is that a synergy 16? I ask because that is what I am installing in my 40, was thinking (2) 3/4" returns one on each side. Is yours up and running now? If so how is the single return, also you said a 24mm? So what was that a 1/2" overflow?

Nitroq2 · Nov 25, 2015

Here is mine with the overflow just sitting in the bottom, will drill it Friday, if you look it's already marked on the back.

hig789 · Nov 25, 2015

Nitroq2 said:
Awesome, is that a synergy 16? I ask because that is what I am installing in my 40, was thinking (2) 3/4" returns one on each side. Is yours up and running now? If so how is the single return, also you said a 24mm? So what was that a 1/2" overflow?

Sorry the return was a 35mm hole not 24mm. Yes it's a Synergy but no it's not running. Still getting a few things together for it. I would think one return is plenty but I'm not relying on the return for any flow in the tank though.

hig789 · Nov 25, 2015

Nitroq2 said:
Here is mine with the overflow just sitting in the bottom, will drill it Friday, if you look it's already marked on the back.

Light looks nice. What is it? Any pictures of your stand, that's about all I have left to do.

Nitroq2 · Nov 25, 2015

hig789 said:
Light looks nice. What is it? Any pictures of your stand, that's about all I have left to do.

The lights are from Mike at SB Reef Lights. I studied a while and his spectrum layout seemed to be the best out there. I guess time will tell but I can tell you they are bright

. May add two T-5's as well with one on each side of the led fixture. But first I want to see the growth on these LED's. As for the stand I am not finished yet, still have to put on the doors and stain and paint. I am going with sliding front doors that will slide on drawer slides and slowly close themselves when pushed together. They will have the barn door look. Here it is at the moment also attaching the inspiration pic to show how the doors will be. If you want pics of the internal layout let me know.

Nitroq2 · Nov 25, 2015

This is what the Inside of my stand looks like

hig789 · Nov 25, 2015

That door idea is pretty killer man. I really it. Still debating if I am going to go with pocket holes in plywood or just frame it up with 2x4's. I like the idea of as much free room inside the stand as possible. Especially with dosing containers, ATO, and all the other stuff.

Cool light, been reading a lot of good stuff on them on FB. Mines going to be a NanoBox hybrid. 4 led pucks and 4 T5's.

Nitroq2 · Nov 26, 2015

The Doors will look something like this except they will have alot cleaner look to them.

hig789 · Nov 26, 2015

Nitroq2 said:
The Doors will look something like this except they will have alot cleaner look to them.

Sweet. Please post some pics.

Nitroq2 · Nov 26, 2015

As promised Hig here are the doors closed and opened. Keep in mind still have to touch up nail heads, sand it, paint inside white, and stain the outside

And opened