drilling a tank?

I have heard of a few people in our group that drills tanks, Matt or Phil ?, im not sure, im sure someone will jump in and clear it up. I do know that there have been attempts on drilling 10 gal tanks but it is not recommended because they are so thin. What size tank are you considering? The 125 gal in the shop that sits in the center, Ron and Barry had one of the members come in and drill it for them.
 
Follow Jim's directions and you shouldn't have any problems. Just make sure the glass isn't tempered.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=5834657#post5834657 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishmon
The tank IS empty I assume? If so its actually pretty easy, I have probably drilled 100 or so holes, give or take, and only cracked one and thats because I slipped w/ the drill. Also the fact that it was a 20gallon tank (thin glass). Thicker glass is less prone to crack IMO. All you need is a diamond tip hole saw, just do a google for glass hole saws. They aren't cheap about $60-80 for a 1". But if your drilling 8 holes, the average glass shop charges $10 per hole. Start w/ a scrap piece of glass and Just mark where you want your hole, put a "dam" of clay around the hole, slightly larger than the size your drilling, fill the inside of the dam w/ water and then get your drill up to about medium speed. Keeping the dam full of water is VERY IMPORTANT!! ( I have used cordless drills for this but I like the power of a corded better) When drill is up to speed start the hole saw at an angle touching the outer edge of the bit to the outer edge of the circle you have drawn out. As the bit starts to cut, SLOWLY roll the bit down flush w/ the glass as you increase the speed of the drill. once you have started a groove in the glass just let the weight of the drill do the work. DON'T PRESS HARD. Go slow until you feel the bit penetrate the other side, ease up on the drill and keep speed the same. Out will pop the glass plug and you have your hole!
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
The main problem Nancy's thinking about with the 10 gallons is they were usually drilled for sumps and cracked when the bulkheads got knocked around since the glass is thin.
 
Im the one that drills the tanks well some of them not sure about phill and matt but i have drilled my last 3 tanks no problems. Im doing a demo on this at the aug meeting
 
thanks for the info! I have been following the DIY thread on drilling, it is very good explaining how to drill the tank with the dam. It also suggests to have another person on other side spraying water along with dam!

Need 4 holes in a 230g. I started a thread in our other forum so you guys can walk me through getting this thing set up.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9955650#post9955650 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reef4Fun
The 125 gal in the shop that sits in the center, Ron and Barry had one of the members come in and drill it for them.
Click to expand...


I thought they special ordered the tank drilled in the center. Was the holdup. Took forever to get. One of the members made the overflows.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9959762#post9959762 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcox33
I thought they special ordered the tank drilled in the center. Was the holdup. Took forever to get. One of the members made the overflows.
Click to expand...

ahhh, is that what it was :), I remember Barry telling me a friend did it for him, I thought he said the drilling but it very well could have just been the overflows, lol.
 
I think it was predrilled at factory and Phil built overflows. I'm sure they will enlighten us!

I am very anxious to get started! I have wanted a decent camera for a while now. If I had a camera I could show you what I was thinking and probably get better advice from you guys! Looking at Canon A640 to take pictures of my perennial garden, soccer games, and salt addiction. Someday I'll be able to do the "photo of the month"

how about you camera buffs looking at that camera, mind you I am a point and shoot but willing to learn to get quality pictures!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9961061#post9961061 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by igotsalt
I think it was predrilled at factory and Phil built overflows. I'm sure they will enlighten us!

I am very anxious to get started! I have wanted a decent camera for a while now. If I had a camera I could show you what I was thinking and probably get better advice from you guys! Looking at Canon A640 to take pictures of my perennial garden, soccer games, and salt addiction. Someday I'll be able to do the "photo of the month"

how about you camera buffs looking at that camera, mind you I am a point and shoot but willing to learn to get quality pictures!
Click to expand...

Canon A640


My son has the Canon A520, my husband has the Canon A540 and one of my friends have the Canon A640. Of the three, the A 540 is the best in my opinion.

The A540 can have the lens changed and has several made for it, as does the A 520. But the A 640 as far as I could tell is not changeable. It has the pop out lens but the lens ring does not come off to allow others to be attached as the A520 and A 540 do.

The A540 has a few more options than the A520 does.

My husband did a lot of research on these cameras before we got his.
 
Ron helped me pick out a camera, had perfect advice, and I followed what he said, needless to say, my camera is exactly what I was wanting in one and I absolutely love it!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9987066#post9987066 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reef4Fun
Ron helped me pick out a camera, had perfect advice, and I followed what he said, needless to say, my camera is exactly what I was wanting in one and I absolutely love it!
Click to expand...


Which one did you get?
 
I got the Canon PowerShot S3IS Digital Camera.

Here is the info, and this camera was purchased at WalMart for $315

The sleek PowerShot S3 IS digital camera offers you high resolution, an extra-long zoom, advanced yet easy-to-use movie functions plus great new shooting options. Also, with Image Stabilizer technology, images and movies taken with the S3 IS are sharp and smooth, even when the camera gets jostled. Its everything you need to capture the fun, excitement and beauty of your active life - wherever it takes you!
Optical Zoom 12x
Resolution 6.2 Megapixel

I love it, it is more than what I need, does a great job, I need to learn more about it, but it is made to be easy to use, I just have not taken the time to learn of all the advantages I have to use.
 
good information! I like the part it is "advanced yet easy to use!" I have that contact blurr problem .....can't read small writing!

thanks for info!
 
I ask "F" the other day about drilling tanks and he says he charges $40 a hole, I didn't gather that was with a guarantee either, although I dont know how you could gaurantee someone elses tank.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10036178#post10036178 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cdbias2
I ask "F" the other day about drilling tanks and he says he charges $40 a hole, I didn't gather that was with a guarantee either, although I dont know how you could gaurantee someone elses tank.
Click to expand...

Not that the amount is too excessive, but you could prob. buy your own bit for around that amount along w/ some scrap glass to practice on before doing your tank, then rent your bit out.
 
I will probably end up doing it myself or have someone come to my house, if I can twist someone's arm! That tank was a bear to get in the bed of the truck!

I'm going to contact the glass company to get some scrap pieces to practice on. I was looking at the different overflows people use and ran across the "CJ's". Most say they are quiet.

I like the way you are thinking Jim! You can tell your a retail man!

I've had the overflow box on the back of my 125 for over a year. I will be sooo glad to get rid of the noise maker that stabs you in the back ever time you let your guard down! Got up this morning to a flooded family room. The tubing connected to the luft pump came out of overflow box and sprayed on to the floor. Sure glad it happened last night and not this weekend. I guess if I purchased one of those "water on floor alarms", it would have warned me during the night and I could have corrected problem earlier. I consider myself lucky it happened now and not when out of town. I'll add this problem to the on going list of "What can go wrong with a overflow box ....WILL happen sooner or later!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

wvned
A brave new world
Replies
12
Views
516
wvned
wvned
C.Eymann
Finding the "final boss" of coral pest hitchhikers, and how it turned into our beloved pet.
Replies
11
Views
651
griss
griss
S
75 Gallon FOWLR Trigger Species tank?
Replies
3
Views
304
snakeybird
S
Pacman562
Anyone interested in a tank?
Replies
2
Views
365
Pacman562
Pacman562
H
Purposeful zoa infestation?
Replies
5
Views
549
harriehack
H
Back
Top