Is it possible / advisable to drill drainage holes in an Exo Terra Tank?

[UncleChester]

My tanks are homemade jobs, but glass is glass (unless it's tempered glass, but exo terras don't appear to be http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/beg...exo-terra.html).

I used one of my practice holes from yesterday as a template to help start a new practice hole and it worked like a charm. Much easier and no skipping. My main problem now is when the hole is nearly complete I'm having a hard time going slowly enough when about to go out the other side so the back side of the glass is chipping off slightly. Not in a structurally hazardous way, but it looks messy.

To be honest I have no specific plans at the moment for what I'm going to drill for a real use. I originally wanted to do a waterfall with a canister type of filter externally so I figured being able to drill glass would be handy. It also gives more options for types of fasteners, handles and other things I can use on homemade tanks, and I might look at getting a larger bit to put air vents near the bottom of tall vivariums.

[Jayzie Greenfrog]

Hi, Thanks that is really interesting and helpful. With regards your problem for the other side my other half who is dosing opened one eye and suggested putting a block of wood against the other side or try tapeing the glass! Im hoping he knows what he is doing as he would be the one doing the drilling - I can see it will be me holding the hose (and getting shouted at if it goes wrong). Everyone seems to be drilling the back because I want the hole for drainage (my home made waterfall keeps dumping large quantities of water into the tank and my efforts to stop it happening arnt working - yet!) I actually wanted to put one in the side do you think it would make a difference?

All the best with your ideas for a waterfall, I have been thinking of something similar for my small tank as because of its size it is really not possible to have the water sorce in the tank which is what I have done with the large tank.

I will study all the various links and get my drill person to do the same (when he is more awake lol) The big tank is stripped down at the moment and it would be a good time to put a drain in. Thanks again.