Can an Aqueon 36g bow front be drilled?

glb · Jun 20, 2015

I've had this tank for years as a freshwater tank and I'm thinking of converting it to saltwater. I don't want an hob overflow. Has anyone drilled the back of this particular tank? Also, are there any downsides to using this tank for SW? The bow front distortion doesn't bother me but it is a taller tank.

glb · Jun 20, 2015

vic67 · Jun 20, 2015

According to Aqueon's website they only mention that the curved glass is tempered so you should be able to drill the back. I would call to double check though. Downsides? IDK. Sorry.

NanaReefer · Jun 20, 2015

The back yes. I drilled my 26g no problem.

glb · Jun 21, 2015

NanaReefer said:
The back yes. I drilled my 26g no problem.

Are they hard to drill yourself? I'm very handy but this makes a little nervous.

vic67 · Jun 21, 2015

I haven't drilled one with a curved front but it shouldn't be too difficult. I would position it front side down and stabilize it. Make a little well with plumbers putty so it will hold some water. Go SLOW with the hole saw; going slow is the hardest part.

glb · Jun 21, 2015

vic67 said:
I haven't drilled one with a curved front but it shouldn't be too difficult. I would position it front side down and stabilize it. Make a little well with plumbers putty so it will hold some water. Go SLOW with the hole saw; going slow is the hardest part.

Thanks. I'll stabilize the curved front with towels or something. I also know to put something on the inside front in case the glass falls on it. Can I get everything I need at a hardware store? I have a drill but I'd need the bits. Also, what size bits would I need?

vic67 · Jun 21, 2015

I got my cutter from Amazon; got the bulkheads from there too. A 45mm cutter would be for a 1" bulkhead.
This is the one I bought - http://www.amazon.com/Round-Silver-...qid=1434927906&sr=8-2&keywords=glass+hole+saw

glb · Jun 21, 2015

vic67 said:
I got my cutter from Amazon; got the bulkheads from there too. A 45mm cutter would be for a 1" bulkhead.
This is the one I bought - http://www.amazon.com/Round-Silver-...qid=1434927906&sr=8-2&keywords=glass+hole+saw

Thanks!!!

racin2438 · Jun 21, 2015

Just get the kit from ..glassholes.com. very easy to do. The key is let the weight of the cordless drill do the work. Put a piece of tape in the inside of the part you going to drill, so it doesn't fall and break the face glass. Drilling is very easy and fast less that 5 minutes at the most. String the height of hole is key too.

NathanJ8 · Jul 11, 2018

Hey glb, I was hoping you could provide some follow up on how this went for you as I've been considering doing the same thing. I would also be interested in some of the details of what you ended up using to cut the hole. Thanks!