Drilling for an overflow?

carbunkle · 10/22/2008, 05:30 PM

hello all,

i've been keeping tanks in one form or another for about 5 years now, mostly FOWL, and i'm looking to leap into a full blown reef. As is the case, money is short as always, so i'm not really able to get the reef tank i want. i'm looking now to get a used 55G with no overflow. my question is this: is there a thread that shows you how to drill an overflow? i reall don't want to use a hang on overflow.

tthnow · 10/22/2008, 05:33 PM

rig me up some free HBO and we can talk. J/K go to the DIY section it may have some things there for you.

mjsnook · 10/22/2008, 05:38 PM

You may want to watch I think some 55's are tempered glass...

carbunkle · 10/22/2008, 05:41 PM

i know that bottoms are tempered, how can you tell if the sides are?

michael.lemke · 10/22/2008, 06:26 PM

get yourself a good carbide tipped drill bit. mark your spot and tape the back with blue masking tape. Use a ring of plumbers puddy and fill area with water. slowly drill area without using much pressure. Too much can crack the glass ade doesn't help much. Sand the whole when finished with wet dry sand paper. Lots of pics and videos on you tube. good luck.

sminker · 10/23/2008, 12:02 AM

it is extremely rare for the sides to be tempered.

go to youtube and search for glass drilling. there are a few vid clips that show you how. its very easy. just takes patience.

billdogg · 10/23/2008, 06:35 AM

www.glass-holes.com has an excellent how to video, as well as all the parts you will need to complete the project (bulkheads, bits, overflow boxes, etc) and at very good prices

EvMiBo · 10/23/2008, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by billdogg
www.glass-holes.com has an excellent how to video, as well as all the parts you will need to complete the project (bulkheads, bits, overflow boxes, etc) and at very good prices

+1
yup, grab the 600gph drill kit, good to go.

almees · 10/23/2008, 07:18 AM

Most 55, front and back glass is tempered. Side is not. You can tell by putting a moniter in the tank(white screen) look for lines in the glass. Your nontempered will look different then the bottom which is usually tempered. Out of 4 of my 55 tanks, all bottoms and fronts and backs were tempered, sides were not.

carbunkle · 10/23/2008, 09:49 AM

thanks billdogg. i emailed the guys at glass-holes, and they recommend the 700gph for a 55gal. i'll be getting that and the return kit as well. thanks for the input.

10/22/2008, 05:30 PM	#1
carbunkle Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Three Rivers, MA Posts: 3	Drilling for an overflow? hello all, i've been keeping tanks in one form or another for about 5 years now, mostly FOWL, and i'm looking to leap into a full blown reef. As is the case, money is short as always, so i'm not really able to get the reef tank i want. i'm looking now to get a used 55G with no overflow. my question is this: is there a thread that shows you how to drill an overflow? i reall don't want to use a hang on overflow. __________________ It puts the lotion on the skin, or else it gets the hose again. Ha! Current Tank Info: 29 gal FOWL, 2 false perc clows

10/22/2008, 05:38 PM	#3
mjsnook Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 169	tempered glass? You may want to watch I think some 55's are tempered glass... __________________ Thanks, Mike

10/22/2008, 05:41 PM	#4
carbunkle Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Three Rivers, MA Posts: 3	i know that bottoms are tempered, how can you tell if the sides are? __________________ It puts the lotion on the skin, or else it gets the hose again. Ha! Current Tank Info: 29 gal FOWL, 2 false perc clows

10/23/2008, 06:35 AM	#7
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	www.glass-holes.com has an excellent how to video, as well as all the parts you will need to complete the project (bulkheads, bits, overflow boxes, etc) and at very good prices __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

10/23/2008, 09:49 AM	#10
carbunkle Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Three Rivers, MA Posts: 3	thanks billdogg. i emailed the guys at glass-holes, and they recommend the 700gph for a 55gal. i'll be getting that and the return kit as well. thanks for the input. __________________ It puts the lotion on the skin, or else it gets the hose again. Ha! Current Tank Info: 29 gal FOWL, 2 false perc clows

10/22/2008, 05:33 PM	#2
tthnow Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Hughson Posts: 513	rig me up some free HBO and we can talk. J/K go to the DIY section it may have some things there for you.

10/22/2008, 06:26 PM	#5
michael.lemke Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: greeley co Posts: 395	get yourself a good carbide tipped drill bit. mark your spot and tape the back with blue masking tape. Use a ring of plumbers puddy and fill area with water. slowly drill area without using much pressure. Too much can crack the glass ade doesn't help much. Sand the whole when finished with wet dry sand paper. Lots of pics and videos on you tube. good luck.

10/23/2008, 12:02 AM	#6
sminker Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 612	it is extremely rare for the sides to be tempered. go to youtube and search for glass drilling. there are a few vid clips that show you how. its very easy. just takes patience.

10/23/2008, 07:18 AM	#9
almees Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Palm Bay Posts: 228	Most 55, front and back glass is tempered. Side is not. You can tell by putting a moniter in the tank(white screen) look for lines in the glass. Your nontempered will look different then the bottom which is usually tempered. Out of 4 of my 55 tanks, all bottoms and fronts and backs were tempered, sides were not.