Drilling Aqueon Tanks

[Dom]

In the past, I have drilled countless Aqueon tanks of different sizes. I always drill through the bottom because I like to keep all plumbing within the footprint of the tank.

Today, while drilling through the bottom of an Aqueon 40 long, POP! Ugh!! It was going fine until I sped up the drill and started to roll within the cut to dig and advance the bit.

Clearly tempered glass.

But I was well into the cut when it happened. So I'm trying to determine if tempered can be drilled. I know that as a general rule, you "can't". But with all of the other Aqueons I've drilled in the past, I don't see why this one would be different, tempered or not.

Has anyone ever drilled an larger Aqueon? I plan on calling them in the morning and have already ordered a new tank. But before I try again... LOL.

Thanks

 

[Water Dog]

When it went “POP”, did the bottom pane shatter or did the hole that you were drilling just crack?

 

[Larry L]

I'm not aware that it's possible to drill tempered glass. FWIW, the Aqueon site says this:

Aqueon Glass Aquariums Tempered vs. Non Tempered: Due to glass availability, Central Aquatics may temporarily substitute regular or non-tempered glass panels with tempered glass panels. Anytime a glass substitution is made, a sticker will be adhered to the aquarium bottom as a precaution to the end user. Please Note: Any aquarium that is altered in any way (i.e. - drilled, attempted to be drilled, the center brace removed) by an individual outside of Central Aquatics, will deem the warranty null and void.

so unless there's a sticker I think you pretty much rely on polarized sunglasses or some other method to make sure one way or the other.

 

[redfishbluefish]

You can not drill tempered glass....period!

It will shatter into a million pieces....and as you witnessed, maybe not right away.

The polarized sunglasses and a white screen on a phone/tablet/laptop, is the simple way to determine temper. Wearing polarized sunglasses, rotate the electronic device until you see a black screen. If it's totally black, it's not tempered. If you see streaks (gray-ish color), it's tempered, and can not be drilled.

 

[Tallison]

I would stay away from Aqueon as they use Tempered glass on the back panels. I was drilling the back of my brand new 75G when it popped and I had to go buy a new RR tank.

 

[Dom]

When it went “POP”, did the bottom pane shatter or did the hole that you were drilling just crack?

It shattered, which means it is tempered. But why would this drilling shatter? I mean... is it that some Aqueons have tempered glass when others don't? I've drilled other Aqueons in the past successfully.

 

[Dom]

You can not drill tempered glass....period!

It will shatter into a million pieces....and as you witnessed, maybe not right away.

The polarized sunglasses and a white screen on a phone/tablet/laptop, is the simple way to determine temper. Wearing polarized sunglasses, rotate the electronic device until you see a black screen. If it's totally black, it's not tempered. If you see streaks (gray-ish color), it's tempered, and can not be drilled.

So based on your answer, some Aqueons have tempered glass and others do not. Is that correct?

 

[redfishbluefish]

So based on your answer, some Aqueons have tempered glass and others do not. Is that correct?

Actually, based on you results I'm going to say YES to that! I think it was Aqueon were I read that they use whatever glass is available....tempered or not tempered. I once had a tank that had label that stated, "Do Not Drill." I checked, and the only panel that was tempered was the bottom....so I drilled the side panel. Do the test I stated above with whatever tank you want to drill....it works great.

 

[Tallison]

So based on your answer, some Aqueons have tempered glass and others do not. Is that correct?

Yeah I sought the same answer when mine busted. Basically Aqueon has been using tempered glass for back panels instead of the bottom which means you wont really know for sure until you test it

 

[Even Further]

Tempered glass cannot be drilled or cut. Never even attempt to drill or even make a design plan until you've done the polarized lens over a LCD test. Older LCD laptops work great for this. It really depends on the tank and size.

 

[RMS18]

I can confirm that my 40 breeder by Aqueon is drilled in back glass. Bought the tank new from PetSmart 1.2 years ago.

 

[Royy13]

I can confirm that my 40 breeder by Aqueon is drilled in back glass. Bought the tank new from PetSmart 1.2 years ago.

I just drilled an Aqueon 40 Breeder that I bought a month ago through the back panel. It may vary from tank to tank.

 

[Robert Vacchiano]

Drilled a 40 aqueon breeder about 4 months ago it was fine drilled the back

 

[cilyjr]

 

[shred5]

https://www.aqueon.com/-/media/files/aqueon-na/us/set-up-guides/criticaldimensions-pdf.pdf?la=en


40 long is tempered.

 

[cracker]

.

 

[Syntax1235]

I would stay away from Aqueon as they use Tempered glass on the back panels. I was drilling the back of my brand new 75G when it popped and I had to go buy a new RR tank.

I've drilled two Aqueon tanks, a 125 and a 180, 5 holes each and didn't have any issue (back panel).

 

[carazz]

I would not trust the chart above. I bought a 75 at the last dollar a gallon sale at Petco. I didn't have polarized lenses with me but I decided to give it a shot. I emailed Aqueon asking if it could be drilled. They told me that depending on availability, they will use tempered glass in ANY panel and it could be different for tanks built right after one another.

 

[Buddah001]

Tried to dril a 75g in the side and it shattered. Called them and was told due to high demand any glass available will be used.
Had to buy a Marineland tank to finish project

 

[hexcolor reef]

They don’t have the 48x18x16 listed here, it’s their 60 gallon tank. I would like to drill since I own that one.
I also have the 10 gallon tank which I will attempt to drill the bottom as practice