Can I drill a hole in the top of an acrylic tank with water in it?

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Dark SSide

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 26, 2010
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Toledo, OH
I have a clarity plus acrylic tank dimensions are 72"L x 24"W x 36"T 265g with around 50 African cichlids Hap/peacocks. Tank is 3/4 thick including top. I purchased it used around a year ago, everything is going great. The only complaint is that there is only on one overflow and it is at one end of the tank. I have a eshops 300g sump mag 24 as a return pump and two Koralia circulation pumps, one 750ghp and one 1400ghp. The top of the tank has two large access panels like most acrylic aquariums, but only one small hole on the opposite end of the overflow for the return lines and wires to the power heads. I would like to drill two holes in the top of the tank one centered in the back and one on the same side as the overflow. I plan on adding an fx5 as my haps are starting to get large and you can never have too much filtration.

I made a quick ms paint sketch (nothing is to scale or symmetrical) everything in black is original, the parts in red are what I want to add. My question is should I drain the tank 25%? 50%? 75%? Any advice would be great. I plan on taping the top and bottom with painters tape and attaching a container under where I am drilling to catch the shavings.

Thank you in advance,

Josh

top of fish tank.png
 
I have a similar tank and did just that with an adjustable hole saw with a sharp high speed steel tool bit and a good battery operated drill (craftsman 19.2 volt). Worked just fine but I would highly recommend to test drill a several holes first in some scrap pieces first. The holes were fairly clean with a slight bit or chatter so i just rubbed them smooth with fine sand paper (did not flame polish).Wish I thought of the draining it a bit to attach a container...good idea and happy drilling.
 
That should work fine. I did a similar set of holes in the top of my 210g, it did not have water in it at the time but I think you will be okay.
 
I've drilled the top of a few tanks while running with no problems. I agree with the practice drilling suggestion if your able to do so.
 
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