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hide filter inlet/outlet hoses

3.7K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  NAL  
#1 ·
#2 ·
Should work without a problem if you manage to cut the holes in the tank. Is it a glass tank? If so, you need to know if the glass pane you want to cut is tempered or not; you can't cut tempered glass.

Then you need a diamond glass cutting tool (usually a drill bit attachment). I've never done it but I remember seeing a pretty good article/thread on it on the Reef Central forum.

If it's an acrylic tank then it should be a lot easier to cut the holes but I have no idea how that's done.
 
#4 ·
Even though I am a DIY guy on this stuff all the way, I might try to get a glass cutting place to do it. I don't really wanna buy the bit and such. I haven't got a hold of any of them yet but I should. Do you think I would have to worry about back flow through the outlet.


It's just a normal 20L glass tank that I bought at petsmart. Are some of them tempered?
 
#5 ·
If this is a new tank you bought at Petsmart, it is most likely tempered glass. I suggest looking at your local reef keepers club - at least in New England the hobby is very active with people buying and selling "reef ready" tanks all the time.

You could also pick up an old school, heavier glass tank. The older tanks are less likely to be tempered glass.
 
#10 ·
If its a standard AGA or Perfecto 20L the sides are not tempered. Its really easy to drill your tank providing you have a decent drill (18V cordless or better) and follow the tutorial on Reef Central. You can buy a nice drill bit from Ebay. I bought mine from this seller and they worked well.

http://stores.ebay.com/THK-Diamond-Tools

BTW: The only time I cracked a tank was drilling the tiny 2.5g AGA tanks for my nano setups. I went too fast and the glass is really thin (drilled 4 2.5g's total with one breaking), the 20L has much thicker glass and drills easy.