Removing A Stock Overflow

To those of you with experience with this sort of thing,

We'll be moving in August, so while the tank is down I'd like to remove the stock overflow it came with. This will give the tank better aquascape options and improve water flow. I've spoke to Aqueon and they say only the bowed front and bottom glass are tempered, and the sides and back are not.
A Gl*******s overflow box will be installed.

Removal of the overflow is pretty straightforward, razor blades and small vise grips should give me plenty of power and control.

To cover the two holes in the bottom glass, I'm thinking about siliconing in a piece of 24x10x0.25 inch tempered glass that will be butted up against the back seam.

Does anybody see a structural issue with this? I'll put a little bit of rock over this spot, but nothing too big or heavy.

 

Let us know how it goes. I may need to do this to my tank. I was thinking of using the holes as returns for a closed loop. Hide the pipes under sand and rock.

 

Good idea, I'll think about that. What do you think about the strength of the bottom glass after the supportive overflow has been cut out?

 

anyone?

 

if you want to plug the holes just get a bulkhead for each hole and install a plug in it. I did this on my 92g corner and it worked great

 

Bulkheads I would think over time would have more of an issue leaking (gasket) than the glass silcone. Just don't let it touch the outer seam silicone...keep the glass as flat as possible.

 

I haven't tried the glass and silicone way, but IMO I would feel safer using the bulkhead and plug. Also the bulkhead method is removable.

 

Ok so don't butt it up against the outer (back) seam?

Is that because over time the glass piece will dig into the back seam?

 

That, and you want a good clean area for the silicone to adhere to...i.e. not onto other silicone.

EDIT: The bulkhead method is removable...as is the glass method. Razor blades do wonders.

 

That is a valid point.