Bottom drilling vs back drilling

[DirtDiggler2823]

My tank is a strange AIO setup that poses some interesting situations as far as how to drill and plumb it. I was going to go with an overflow box, and drill the back glass, but then i got to thinking that i could use the existing weir and filter space built into the tank, and drill into that, which would shorten the amount of piping required by quite a bit. I'm fairly certain that the entire tank is not tempered glass, although i will verify that. Please take a look and let me know what ya'll think. The bio-balls are coming out, and I'm aware that I would probably have to make the weir bigger.

 

[TheEngineer]

First deciding factor would be if the glass is tempered. Bottom panes typically are, so that would make the decision for you.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

First deciding factor would be if the glass is tempered. Bottom panes typically are, so that would make the decision for you.

This is a strange custom build, and I know I will have to verify whether it is tempered or not, but in the case that it isn't, I'm looking for suggestions.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

First deciding factor would be if the glass is tempered. Bottom panes typically are, so that would make the decision for you.

I know the back glass isn't tempered, because it has chips.

 

[WVNed]

I would drill the back using a template for the overflow box of your choice in the center section. That way if you have the option to remove the guts and add the overflow box later.

 

[TheEngineer]

I'd drill the back too.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

I would drill the back using a template for the overflow box of your choice in the center section. That way if you have the option to remove the guts and add the overflow box later.

So, same concept as drilling from the bottom and using the existing stuff as the weir, but drilling the back instead?

 

[WVNed]

Yes

The size of the existing box would need to be wide enough to install a bulkhead and some fittings to make the drains from the side.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Yes

The size of the existing box would need to be wide enough to install a bulkhead and some fittings to make the drains from the side.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Drilled my first hole today... giggity

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Done drilling. The cheap bit i used died somewhere between the 2nd and 3rd holes, which made drilling the 4th hole extra fun. Either way, the most terrifying task I've had to undertake thus far is now done.

 

[Usajet]

Done drilling. The cheap bit i used died somewhere between the 2nd and 3rd holes, which made drilling the 4th hole extra fun. Either way, the most terrifying task I've had to undertake thus far is now done.

Did you drill the bottom or the back?

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Did you drill the bottom or the back?

I ended up drilling the back.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

I ended up drilling the back.

another pic

 

[Dom]

I prefer to drill the bottom. I don't like all of that plumbing outside the footprint of the tank when drilling in the back.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

I prefer to drill the bottom. I don't like all of that plumbing outside the footprint of the tank when drilling in the back.

The bottom had been drilled, and patched by whoever made the tank. I didn't feel like dealing with all of that. I did get a lot more options with drilling the back as well as far as what i could plumb.