Rookie Mistake: Overflow Drilling Problem?

[shaginwagon13]

Hey guys,
I built an all glass aquarium from scratch and the glass is tempered, and naturally I just realized that I'm going to need to drill the bottem of the tank because I have to install 2 overflow systems and the piping has to go threw the base of the tank.... Can I still drill the bottom if its tempered glass and what sort of things should i do to make sure the entire base doesn't crack? Im building a Reef Aquarium and if its not possible for me to drill into the bottom of the tank are there alternate methods to get the overflow to function properly or am I completly screwed

Thanks Alot Guys
Claudio

[Samper]

You cannot drill tempered glass. It will shatter into a million pieces. The best thing I can suggest is to go to a glass shop and get a piece of glass for the bottom that is not tempered they should be able to drill it for you too if you don't have the bit. You'll have to rebuild or go with a HOB overflow.

[Reefland]

You can definitely go with an external overflow, however I would recommend doing it the best way which is going for the internal overflows with a drilled tank. As Samper mentioned, this will require a different piece of glass though.

[shaginwagon13]

Ok guys thanks Alot, Im gonna go with an external overflow system.

Thanks for all the help!!!
Claudio

[golfish]

I hate to say it but I've been leaning more towards the old external\HOB overflows rather then the internal overflows. I used an old HOB overflow for 10+ years, it never failed once. All we really need is 5-10X total gals turn over from the return and the HOB overflows take up a lot leed room.

[Samper]

golfish are you saying you would rather have a hob overflow opposed to an internal reef ready overflow??

[golfish]

For me, its a better choice because I don't need very much of a return flow.

[shaginwagon13]

Why is the internal so much better then the external? is there really that much of a difference in performance???

[Reefland]

The internal overflows only failure point is if the drain tube gets clogged. For external overflows, they can loose siphon, not restart after a power failure and/or become clogged. So the internal does have less chance for failure, however HOB overflows can be just as successful if it is a continuous siphone overflow thatis maintained.