GLASS, and overflow questions?

[RockoC87]

I bought a used 100 gallon tank that is not reef ready, but the glass is good quality, and it is in awesome condition. my dilema is, how can I tell if the glass is tempered or not, because if it isnt, i was thinking if it was worth adding overflows to each backside or corners or whatever, and drilling it and all that with someones help hopefully. But is it worth it or should i just use the one overflow box i have, i just want the tank to be prestine, and look great as a reef tank, i have a stand and sump already, does anybody know how expensive it is to add the nice black overflows?

[captexas]

Find out who made the tank and contact them to see if it was made of tempered glass and if so, which panels. Sometimes it's just the bottom panel that is tempered. If the bottom is, you will have to drill through the sides or back of the tank.

[Mr_Cool]

If the glass is tempered, there is usually an etching on the glass that says, "Tempered Glass." Or, there could be a sticker under the bottom frame that says it's tempered glass. If it's an older tank, these may be harder to see. If you can, it would be best to find out from the people who made the tank. (Like captexas said!)

[tomanero]

I just drilled my first tank yesterday.
100 gallon I bought used but in good shape.
Went better than I expected (thanks to the help of the crew at RiverCity).
I drilled the back panel only because I couldn't find any stickers or stamps on weather the bottom was tempered or not. I figured lets not take a chance.
I found this site very helpful.
http://www.diamondsure.com/Default.htm?Techniques.htm

[SaltyJim]

Hmm...did RC actually do the drilling, or just offer advice? Feel like taking on a 75?

[erikharrison]

If you drill it yourself, some easy stuff to do is this. Make a circular template with wood. Have someone hold it really steady till it gets started. Once you got a little groove, put some silicone in a circle around the drill point. Put some water inside the silicon circle to help with heat transfer, and make sure to not use an oil based lubricant. Let the weight of the drill itself do the drilling, and do not apply force. If it's tempered and you try to drill it, it will explode. No joke.

[RockoC87]

does it end up being expensive to drill a tank and install a good overflow

[tomanero]

I borrowed the bits or I'd help you out, Jim.
RC offered advice on how to drill and where for my setup.

[LoneStar]

does it end up being expensive to drill a tank and install a good overflow

It all depends on how you go about it. You can either drill the tank yourself, if you have access to the bits and the tools. Or you can see if a LFS will drill the holes. Sometimes that means taking the tank to them rather them coming to you. Just something to keep in mind. Not sure how much they normally charge....somewhere in the $40 range or more per hole I would assume.

Then you gotta figure what kinda overflow/drain style you want. I would go with a Calfo :) But with those, you can install them on the inside of the tank or the outside. Locating it inside would be a little safer on a used tank. Then either you or someone could build the overflow out of acrylic.

When its all said and done it would be cheaper than buying a new reef ready tank. Plus doing it yourself gives you a little more flexibility on how it will be setup. Its just a matter of if you want to go through all of those steps to get there....or buying it new and having it dropped off at your house!

[tomanero]

If you want to have it drilled Benswinger Glass in Austin drills tanks for about $25/hole. Not sure if they're located in SA also.
As with anybody who's going to drill it there's no guarantee against breakage.

[RockoC87]

well i think my tank brand is an all-glass, dimensions 60" x 18" x 20 1/2" (with trim included)

[txstateunivreefer]

i know that forever pets will drill for 20 a hole

[RockoC87]

what is the right size hole to drill? i might want two overflows. Its a 100 gallon tank

[LoneStar]

what is the right size hole to drill? i might want two overflows. Its a 100 gallon tank

It all depends on the brand of bulkhead you choose. Different brands use different size holes for their bulkheads. Best bet is to measure the bulkhead OR check out the website on where you are going to order the bulkhead. Usually they should list the hole required for that particular bulkhead.