drilling 10 g

[phillrodrigo]

I've been told drilling small tanks like 10 gallon usually end up in failure. I'm adding a 10 gallon to my main system for all my zoas and it needs to be drilled. Any hints to upping my sucess. I'm drilling 3 holes for 3 3/4 bulkhead. Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[ca1ore]

I haven't had a good track record of drilling thin glass. Just go really slowly and don't allow the bit to twist at all.

 

[Tkieu78]

Drilled three tanks. First one broke. Second one broke from over tightening the bulk head. Last one was perfect.
Lesson learned. Go slow. Take your time and let the drill bit do the work. Don't apply pressure it will slowly eat away at it. Second tip. Put tape on the opposite side. Breaks usually happen when the bit is busting through the other side. Good thing ten gals are cheap lol

 

[Titans_Reef]

I drilled my 20g long tank for my fuge which it can be done since its the same glass thickness but I used my friends drill press and plumbers putty. I kept on adding fresh water also to it. It took a while and it sounded awful lol but it can be done. It chipped a bit but its holding and currently running so it wasnt a big issue.

 

[vasko2grama]

I've had no problems drilling thin glass, but i used to do it on a bench drill with support on the bottom side of the glass. If you do it by hand, i guess, it's easier to damage the glass weather it be from too much applied pressure or not applying protection on the back of the glass.

 

[phillrodrigo]

Okay. I'll have to give it a whirl see what happens. I have 2 to play with hoping 1 works.

 

[Texacobra]

I drilled mine without problems, just do it slow.

 

[LelandF.]

10gal's typically have 1/8" glass, which is like drilling through a potato chip. Even if you don't break it when drilling it, you're setting yourself up for a leak or cracked tank in the future.
Have some 1/4" glass cut, and make your own tank, and drill the hole in the glass before you silicone it together. It'll be much more stable, and a much lower risk of leaking.

Leland

 

[toothybugs]

I used a small bit to punch through the glass then used my Dremel with a diamond bit. It drastically lowered the twist potential of a bit shattering the glass. I did a couple 10s this way then did my 40 - much cheaper to blow a 10g than a 40