Has anyone drilled a RedSea Reefer?

Schpample · Oct 8, 2020

Hi all, brand new here, working on fun peninsula build/retrofit on a RS Reefer 300 XL, check out my build thread for more details if you're curious. Has anyone drilled any holes in a RS Reefer? I emailed RS a couple days ago to verify that the glass is not tempered, no reply yet. Submitted a support ticket this morning with the same question, but I'm getting antsy to keep building. Of course antsy doesn't trump safe... so I need to be REALLY sure its not tempered before attempting to drill. Hoping someone here might have already tried it.

P-Dub · Oct 8, 2020

Have you tried the polarized glasses and computer screen trick? Google it.
Used it to determine if my tank was tempered or not.

Schpample · Oct 9, 2020

Thanks P-Dub! I tried this test last night using an LCD thermometer and my polarized sunglasses. One known piece of tempered glass did in fact remove the black-out effect when placed between the glasses and thermometer, pretty much completely. None of the glass on the Reefer did!

Better yet though, I heard back from RedSea this morning that there is no tempered glass in my tank, so I'm off to the races tonight!

P-Dub · Oct 9, 2020

Here for you and happy RS got back to you.

Shanel · Oct 9, 2020

WooHoo! That's good info to know. I was wondering about that.

Schpample · Nov 6, 2020

Been a minute now, but for posterity: Red sea reefer tanks are perfectly drillable! My reefer 300 XL mini-pen conversion is complete and a few days into cycling! More deets on the build in my build thread, but staying on topic here, drilling just took a bit of patience and a few tools: cordless drill, diamond hole-saw, and 90-deg drill guide, all attainable from your local hardware store.