Drilling holes in fish tank.

Quiet Professional · 02-07-2013, 09:10 PM

It has been quite a while since I have been apart of the Fishkeeping hobby. I recently bought a 20 gallon long, Aqueon from the PetCo dollar a gallon sale. Has anyone had success in drilling the bottom of their tanks for filtration? I have heard the thin glass proves to be a problem.

TheDrake · 02-07-2013, 09:56 PM

Just check if it says tempered; the bottom of a 20g long might be, especially if it looks thin to you. If it's not tempered, game on. I don't think I own a tank without at least 1 hole drilled in it...

Green_Flash · 02-07-2013, 09:58 PM

there is a site that sells glass drilling kits for aquariums, can't recall the exact name.

there is also a test you can do with an lcd screen and polarized sunglasses to check tempered glass.

Quiet Professional · 02-07-2013, 10:00 PM

Thank you TheDrake. Has anyone seen a comprehensive thread on doing this? I haven't ventured in a project like this before.

TheDrake · 02-07-2013, 10:12 PM

check youtube for demos/tutorials. it's pretty straightforward, assuming that you have the right equipment (diamond tipped hole bit) and standing or running water over the site you are drilling. practice a couple times on an old tank and you will quickly be a pro.

TheDrake · 02-07-2013, 10:15 PM

http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategor...ass-Drill-Bits

**GraphicGr8s** · 02-08-2013, 12:21 AM

http://www.aqueonproducts.com/assets/011/19107.pdf

Quiet Professional · 02-08-2013, 02:34 AM

Wow you guys were awesome, thank you.

Razorworm · 02-08-2013, 11:55 AM

if it is an Aqueon tank, it is not tempered. Furthermore, tempered glass is NOT always stamped. The Aqueon 40b is not tempered either. When in doubt, call their help line (check website for number)

Glass holes.com has a nice vid on drilling. I got my dril bit ( hole saw ) from
Aquacave, a sponsor here.

02-07-2013, 09:10 PM	#1
Quiet Professional Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 70	Drilling holes in fish tank. It has been quite a while since I have been apart of the Fishkeeping hobby. I recently bought a 20 gallon long, Aqueon from the PetCo dollar a gallon sale. Has anyone had success in drilling the bottom of their tanks for filtration? I have heard the thin glass proves to be a problem.

02-08-2013, 12:21 AM	#7
GraphicGr8s Banned (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 1,534	http://www.aqueonproducts.com/assets/011/19107.pdf __________________ Quote me as saying I was misquoted. The problem is you don't know what you don't know. Life is simple…People complicate it. On the west coast of the east coast of North America Here's to our wives and sweethearts - may they never meet. I can't live life at 140 characters

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02-07-2013, 09:56 PM	#2
TheDrake Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Auburn, NY Posts: 131	Just check if it says tempered; the bottom of a 20g long might be, especially if it looks thin to you. If it's not tempered, game on. I don't think I own a tank without at least 1 hole drilled in it...

02-07-2013, 09:58 PM	#3
Green_Flash Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: United States Posts: 1,452	there is a site that sells glass drilling kits for aquariums, can't recall the exact name. there is also a test you can do with an lcd screen and polarized sunglasses to check tempered glass.

02-07-2013, 10:00 PM	#4
Quiet Professional Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 70	Thank you TheDrake. Has anyone seen a comprehensive thread on doing this? I haven't ventured in a project like this before.

02-07-2013, 10:12 PM	#5
TheDrake Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Auburn, NY Posts: 131	check youtube for demos/tutorials. it's pretty straightforward, assuming that you have the right equipment (diamond tipped hole bit) and standing or running water over the site you are drilling. practice a couple times on an old tank and you will quickly be a pro.

02-07-2013, 10:15 PM	#6
TheDrake Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Auburn, NY Posts: 131	http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategor...ass-Drill-Bits

02-08-2013, 02:34 AM	#8
Quiet Professional Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 70	Wow you guys were awesome, thank you.

02-08-2013, 11:55 AM	#9
Razorworm Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Hawthorn Woods IL Posts: 550	if it is an Aqueon tank, it is not tempered. Furthermore, tempered glass is NOT always stamped. The Aqueon 40b is not tempered either. When in doubt, call their help line (check website for number) Glass holes.com has a nice vid on drilling. I got my dril bit ( hole saw ) from Aquacave, a sponsor here.