Question....drilling my tank

[drock59]

So I know my tank is an AGA but how do i know if it is tempered? This is what AGA says:

 

Can I drill holes in my aquarium for external filters?

 

Maybe, many of our aquariums are made with tempered glass in the bottom. Tempered glass cannot be drilled. Non-tempered glass panels may be drilled by a qualified technician. In some cases, you may special order All-Glass aquariums pre-drilled with the MegaFlow or Twin-Flow overflow systems. You could also special order, in some cases, an aquarium with non-tempered glass if you wanted to have it drilled outside of our facility. If you have an older tank that you want to drill, don’t take any chances - if you are not sure that the glass is non-tempered, do not drill it.

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I knew the bottom is probably tempered but I dont know about the other faces. IF someone knows and could ease my fears I would appreciate. Thanks

[R-3]

I thought all All-glass tanks were tempered on the bottom. It usually has a sticker that says tempered. Thats all the info you will get. What size and how old of a tank? Later Ryan

[drock59]

40g and it should be just about brand new. Bought from a Petco worker, who bought it a few months ago. I figured the bottom was tempered but there are no markings for the other sides and I would rather not have it shatter.

 

I want to drill two 1" holes on the side and use it as a fuge.

 

Also, anyone have recommendations for bits?

[Chief]

45mm diamond coated hole saw. I got mine on ebay.

 

ebay link

 

It takes a little while to get them but they are great bits.

 

Impur has a great walkthrough in the DIY forum.

 

http://www.pnwmas.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1746

 

Jay

[mister crabs]

bottom IS tempered sides are NOT

[drock59]

thanks for the help.

 

Is there any place local that has the diamond coated hole saws?

[inkto]

fwiw I had one of my old glass tanks drilled at a small glass shop in hillsboro for $15 a hole... To test whether it was tempered or not he scratched the glass with a glass cutter. The non-tempered glass scratched easily... is "softer" in a sense since the surface is not under tension.

 

ben

[mister crabs]

interesting....never thought about that

asfor the holesaws i dont know....might call glass shops on monday.....but ebay would be by far the cheapest....i think they are like 10 bux shipped. only problem is they take a week or so to get them.

might check out prices from glass shops on having it drilled.

[R-3]

From what I have seen you are okay drilling the side walls of a newer 40G Breeder. Check out some threads on RC where people have done it. Later Ryan

[Liquid Hobby]

I drilled 6 holes in the back of my 40G breeder uses those diamond hole saws. When they are new and fresh it made quick work of the glass... did all holes in about 30 minutes!

[Jim]

I called AGA about my 40 breeder. I gave them the dimensions and they assures me the bottom was not tempered. I drilled it without any problems at all. I did this last year and at that time they said that tempered glass was not used on tanks smaller that the 55. I believe Waves would drill it for you for about $50.00.

[drock59]

Sweet thanks for the replies.