Drilling an ALL-Glass 180!

[UnderwaterExotic]

I am thinking about drilling a 2 5/8" Hole in the center of the back of the tank in the top for a closed loop! I was just wondering and i am sure that people have drilled an all glass tank! Also i want to drill a 1 5/8" hole in the back of each overflow in the glass to come through there with the return pipes. Does anyone see any problems with doing this on an All-Glass tank?

[davidryder]

Tanks that size are made from tempered glass. Even thinking about drilling it can crack it pretty easily. Someone might disagree, but I think it's near impossible to drill. There might be a shop around that can do it though.

This is what i did for my closed loop:

[sethd12]

I don't see a problem with that at all. I have drilled many different sizes of AGA Tanks. I have personally drilled about 5 AGA 180's with no problem at all. Just make sure that the sides are not tempered. Good luck!

[UnderwaterExotic]

Anyone else? I just emailed All Glass. I am going to wait and see they say too!

[Overland04]

i'm sure that AGA will say the same but i think that the only part or the 180 that is tempered is the bottom

[Shnabbles]

yes i just set up my 180 and it had 2 stickers on the bottom saying the bottom panel was tempered

[poppin_fresh]

I dont think they'd temper the sides it would make the glass less clear (more green). My AGA 180 only has a tempered bottom also.

[UnderwaterExotic]

I dont know, if i cant drill it i have another trick up my sleeve to solve the problem!

[plummike]

Just the bottom is tempered. The back is ok to drill, it will void your warranty. It is also possible to crack the glass if done incorrectly. Be sure to use the proper drill or it will slide. Also some lube is a must. Most drilled tanks do not exceed 1.5" so I'm really not sure about the flow or stress cause by a hole that large.
Lay your tank on its side, keep it wet, and don't let your bit slide. Good luck

[K9]

For an All-Glass brand tank, the sides are not tempered. Here is a list on their Web site that tells you if the bottoms are tempered on any size tank they manufacture:
http://www.all-glass.com/services/techinfo.shtml

[JimmyK]

I have drilled AGA 180, 120, 40 breeder and 16 bowfront. To be sure it is not tempered just wait for AGA response. When I contacted them I was told only the bottoms were tempered. AGA also said that under 55 gallons (standard dimensions) most of their tanks do NOT have tempered glass at all.
Goodluck!

[xcreonx]

I drilled the back of my old 180g AGA. No problems at all. Although it took like 3 hours and several diamond bits for my dremel, not to mention a VERY numb arm/hand from all that vibration!

[ricwilli]

Have you thought about what would happen if the pump for the closed loop stop (no power). All the water in the tank would flow to the sump untill it reached the bottom of the 2 5/8" hole. That is the only thing stopping me from drilling a hole in the middle of my tank. Does any one know a way around this? Sorry for hijacking your thread.

[Worldwithin]

I just drilled my glass 135 this past Sat. It was a freaky experience given that I still had water and livestock in it, but everything came out perfectly fine. Obviously if you have the ability to drill it empty, you shouldn't have any issues if you go nice and slow, and keep the bit cool. The only issue I ran across was at one point, the bit moved somewhat funny, and partially chipped the glass... Nothing too bad, but still freaked me out when it occured. All in all, I have the tank back up and running, and have yet to see any issues caused from me drilling it.

[ambaratur]

Originally posted by ricwilli
Have you thought about what would happen if the pump for the closed loop stop (no power). All the water in the tank would flow to the sump untill it reached the bottom of the 2 5/8" hole. That is the only thing stopping me from drilling a hole in the middle of my tank. Does any one know a way around this? Sorry for hijacking your thread.

A closed loop does not operate through the sump. If it did it would not be a closed loop. The water will not drain if there is a power outage unless the plumbing itself has a leak.

[ConcreteReefer]

Have you thought about what would happen if the pump for the closed loop stop (no power). All the water in the tank would flow to the sump untill it reached the bottom of the 2 5/8" hole. That is the only thing stopping me from drilling a hole in the middle of my tank. Does any one know a way around this? Sorry for hijacking your thread.

Its called a "closed loop" for a reason- The water does not get dumped into a sump, it is sucked out of the aquarium and pumped back in- think about it. If the power goes off nothing happens.

[useskaforevil]

i had an AGA drilled for me, and the holes were fine, but the bottom seam is leaking incredibly slowly now. so its pretty much useless and a waste of $200. just a horror story, im sure most people have godd experinces

[ricwilli]

Thanks ambaratur and ConcreteReefer..... I feel very stupid now. I guess I still have allot of reading to do.

[nikonosis]

Originally posted by davidryder
Tanks that size are made from tempered glass. Even thinking about drilling it can crack it pretty easily. Someone might disagree, but I think it's near impossible to drill. There might be a shop around that can do it though.

This is what i did for my closed loop:

Completely WRONG! I drilled my 180g AGA megaflow. I put 2 holes in the back of the tank. AGA labels their tempered glass with a sticker. Its always the bottom that is tempered and nothing else.

[nikonosis]

Originally posted by ricwilli
Have you thought about what would happen if the pump for the closed loop stop (no power). All the water in the tank would flow to the sump untill it reached the bottom of the 2 5/8" hole. That is the only thing stopping me from drilling a hole in the middle of my tank. Does any one know a way around this? Sorry for hijacking your thread.

a real closed loop doesn't travel to the sump at all...

[UnderwaterExotic]

I am going to do it! I am going to drill the hole close to the top of the brace in one of the corners of the tank that way there is less pressure on such a big hole. I think that it will be fine. Does anyone else have a better place to put the hole?

[nikonosis]

i sure hope you are going to use a diamond coated hole saw and not a dremel tool

[UnderwaterExotic]

Nah i figured a Saw-z-all should get done what i need it to!!

[nikonosis]

jigsaw would be better.

[UnderwaterExotic]

lmao