Converting from AIO to Drilled with Sump

[Charley75]

Looking at buying a Advanced Acrylics frag tank, but want to remove the partitions and drill
It for a sump. How hard is this to do?

 

[The_Bro]

Drilling Acrylic is as easy as it gets. Just use a wood Hole saw for whatever size bulkheads your installing. Clamp a piece of wood to where your drilling as a backplate and for strength for when you break through. Drill slow it creates heat and will sorta melt from friction.
Also get some kids play doh (aka modeling clay), and make a ring with the clay around the hole to be drilled fill it with water before you drill. It makes a water reservoir to cool the acrylic while you drill.

 

[Charley75]

What about removing the existing partitions….the black pieces?

 

[The_Bro]

Does the partitions seemed fused together with heat? Or held in with silicone?

 

[Charley75]

I don’t know…this is a pic of a tank I’m thinking about buying…pic is from the listing.

 

[NanoSteam]

If it's acrylic with an acrylic AIO baffle it's likely cemented/welded together (chemically bonded). I think you can heat it with a heat gun and use some sort of wire to work it loose. You'll then have to lightly wet sand off the excess with something high grit, then polish the acrylic.