I need help.... Leaking Eshopps Overflow

[UncommonSense]

I'm about to install an Eshopps M on a 40g breeder. I'm also going to paint the back black. Should I do that before I drill for the overflow? I was going to do it after.

It doesn’t really matter, as long as you’ve masked off where any overflow or gasket parts will be clamped against the exterior of the glass!

(You can also scrape those contact patches perfectly clean with a razor blade later, either way, it’s labor intensive…)

 

[JumboShrimp]

I'd probably drill first. Then take masking tape and make a no-paint square bigger than where the gaskets go so you can paint using a roller and several thin coats. Then lastly, after you position where the gaskets will go, trim with paint right up closer to them-- but not 'under' where they will sit against the glass. You want clean rubber directly onto glass unpainted glass at those points. I hope that makes sense.

 

[Dom]

I thought about doing more turning with some kind of pvc wrench or something but just worried...

I think you can get away with another 1/4 turn.

I put painter's tape around the nut and then used channel locks. With a firm (not crushing) grip and the leverage provided by the handle of the channel lock, 1/4 turn is easy. You will be surprised.