Drilling holes in a 46g bowfront

PLNelson · 12/10/2006, 10:20 PM

Has anyone had any luck drilling holes in a 46g bowfront. I'm a little apprehencive about doing it, and just wonding if anyone else has.

Thanks,
Phil

sideways13 · 12/10/2006, 10:40 PM

I've got one that's drilled on the back side. I don't think you can drill the bottom. Mine is an AGA 46bowfront by the way.

james deluca · 12/11/2006, 12:29 AM

if its temperd glass DO NOT DRILL IT!!!! and what you doing if for cuz you can get a hang on the back overflow that can be uesed insted of drilling it look up creative plastic reserch to see one and what they do but thats if you dont whant to drill it

i may be wrong and so could my sorce but iv herd that drilling it sometimes compermises the integrity of the tank oh and sorry for any sp erors

PLNelson · 12/11/2006, 02:03 PM

Mine is made by AGA as well. I was worried about compromising the integrity of the aquarium, but I want it to look as clean as possible. Thanks for the help

Miggy · 12/11/2006, 02:30 PM

i have the same problem in that i have a 6 x 2 x 2 and i am definately going to have a sump on it.

i am not that keen on overflow boxes and would much rather have the tank drilled.

I think that the only opion may be to drill the back panel of the tank but any more information would be good!!!

james deluca · 12/11/2006, 04:03 PM

go on the web ans serch for creative plastic reserch and see what they have on overflows cuz like all things thier are risks but also ways around them and if you whant to know more about drilling a tank i would recomend asking Travis L. Stevens
on Want to Start a Marine Aquarium?: A Step in New to the Hobby he seems to know a gerat deal about all that stuff

Bergovoy · 12/11/2006, 04:33 PM

Ther is a way to determine if the glass is tempered. (Actually a couple of ways)

There is a device, (a pice of plastic that is polarized that they can place over an edge, and see if the glass is tempered.

You can use polorized sunglasses to look at the glass tank. IF you see slight imperfections / little bubbles or a film type of coating onthe glass it is tempered. You can look at a windshield on a car and see the same type of things.

You can also take a glass cutter, (not my favorite method), and make a small score in the glass that you want to drill. (about a quarter of an inch long, in some inconspicous place.

If it leaves a score, then it is NOT tempered.

The best bet is to take the tank to a glass shop and havethem look at it.

You can also do what I did, and bring the tank to a tank mfg, and have them rip off the glass, drill a new piece of glass, get it tempered, and then reinstall the glass back onto the tank.

Almost as expensive and the tank costs originally, but not quite.

But worth it if you are going for that look.

My tank is due back from the tank mfg sometime, today, I hope???

Bill B

12/10/2006, 10:20 PM	#1
PLNelson White Trash Astronaut Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bemidji, MN Posts: 115	Drilling holes in a 46g bowfront Has anyone had any luck drilling holes in a 46g bowfront. I'm a little apprehencive about doing it, and just wonding if anyone else has. Thanks, Phil

12/10/2006, 10:40 PM	#2
sideways13 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Hugo, Minnesota Posts: 15	I've got one that's drilled on the back side. I don't think you can drill the bottom. Mine is an AGA 46bowfront by the way.

12/11/2006, 12:29 AM	#3
james deluca Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: u.s. nv. Posts: 59	if its temperd glass DO NOT DRILL IT!!!! and what you doing if for cuz you can get a hang on the back overflow that can be uesed insted of drilling it look up creative plastic reserch to see one and what they do but thats if you dont whant to drill it i may be wrong and so could my sorce but iv herd that drilling it sometimes compermises the integrity of the tank oh and sorry for any sp erors

12/11/2006, 02:03 PM	#4
PLNelson White Trash Astronaut Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bemidji, MN Posts: 115	Mine is made by AGA as well. I was worried about compromising the integrity of the aquarium, but I want it to look as clean as possible. Thanks for the help

12/11/2006, 02:30 PM	#5
Miggy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Leicestershire, England Posts: 29	i have the same problem in that i have a 6 x 2 x 2 and i am definately going to have a sump on it. i am not that keen on overflow boxes and would much rather have the tank drilled. I think that the only opion may be to drill the back panel of the tank but any more information would be good!!!

12/11/2006, 04:03 PM	#6
james deluca Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: u.s. nv. Posts: 59	go on the web ans serch for creative plastic reserch and see what they have on overflows cuz like all things thier are risks but also ways around them and if you whant to know more about drilling a tank i would recomend asking Travis L. Stevens on Want to Start a Marine Aquarium?: A Step in New to the Hobby he seems to know a gerat deal about all that stuff

12/11/2006, 04:33 PM	#7
Bergovoy Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Monrovia, CA Posts: 2,163	Ther is a way to determine if the glass is tempered. (Actually a couple of ways) There is a device, (a pice of plastic that is polarized that they can place over an edge, and see if the glass is tempered. You can use polorized sunglasses to look at the glass tank. IF you see slight imperfections / little bubbles or a film type of coating onthe glass it is tempered. You can look at a windshield on a car and see the same type of things. You can also take a glass cutter, (not my favorite method), and make a small score in the glass that you want to drill. (about a quarter of an inch long, in some inconspicous place. If it leaves a score, then it is NOT tempered. The best bet is to take the tank to a glass shop and havethem look at it. You can also do what I did, and bring the tank to a tank mfg, and have them rip off the glass, drill a new piece of glass, get it tempered, and then reinstall the glass back onto the tank. Almost as expensive and the tank costs originally, but not quite. But worth it if you are going for that look. My tank is due back from the tank mfg sometime, today, I hope??? Bill B