Anyone drilled a 10g tank?

[LobsterOfJustice]

Hello all,

I am setting up a breeding rack which consists mostly of ten gallon tanks. I already have purchased the tanks and built the rack itself, but I am worried about drilling the tanks because I have heard that ten gallon tanks specifically are difficult to drill without cracking. Something about the thin glass they use maybe. I have ordered the diamond bit and all the bulkheads, but I'm hoping all this wasnt a waste of money.

Anyway, I guess I just want to know whether anyone has some personal experience that can debunk the "myth" (hopefully) that you can't drill a ten gallon tank.

 

[mille239]

I just did a 10 gallon this weekend. I had no problem at all, just go slowly and use plenty of water to keep the bit cool. I drill all mine using a roto-zip, and their tile cutting bit, and have never had a tank crack on me yet.

good luck.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Whew, looks like I'm not $150 in the hole!

Any idea what brand it was? Mine are Top Fin which I'm a little worried are "el cheapo".

 

[mille239]

Mine was an oldie, but I think it was Krislin or something like that.... worst case scenario, if you accidently crack one, you're only out like 10 bucks. I'm confident you shall succeed though.

 

[fishysteve]

I drilled my AGA 10 gal about 6 months ago. I did crack the first one, but then I practiced on it a little. I had no problems after a few practice holes.

 

[nauticac4]

put something behind where you are drilling like a srap of 2x4 and lightly clamp it in place. Thats how I have drilled thin tanks and have only broken 1.

 

[mille239]

Mine was an oldie, but I think it was Krislin or something like that.... worst case scenario, if you accidently crack one, you're only out like 10 bucks. I'm confident you shall succeed though.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Thanks guys. These will be the first tanks I have drilled. My girlfriend wasn't the most supportive either ("wait, YOU'RE drilling the tanks?!").

I really am not worried about drilling the 20H that is also on the rack. Its not the drilling itself that worries me, just the fact that I had heard 10's couldnt be done. I feel much better now

What I was thinking is worst case scenario, I cant drill any of the ten gallons, and I'm out the tanks, lumber, and weekend it took to build the rack setup. But it sounds like I should be alright.

 

[Twz]

Never drilled a 10 but i have trill about seven 5 gallon tanks and about three 2.5 gallon tanks.