Hole drilling

[Reefer33]

I need some holes drilled in my tank for some 2" bulkheads...anybody have any suggestions?

 

[VCoo71]

the dremel with the right bits is quick and easy!!! as long as it isint temperd glass

charlie

 

[Dtking]

Call the Manufacturer and find out if the tank is tempered, IF IT IS, DONT DRILL!!!!.... If its not, go ahead! ...

 

[JR719]

You might want to put a little putty ring around the hole your cutting. Add cool water frequently. Take your time and don't go too fast.

You can get diamond bits from ebay for a reasonable amount or like Charlie said... Dremel!

 

[dustin Combs]

those are giant bulkheads. What size tank and what size pump are you using?

 

[Dtking]

GOOD JOB COMBS!!!!!!I just had to add that, I know you have more posts than me!!!!!! *LOL* but seriously, take the info your getting!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Russ Braaten]

The cheapest place to get the diamond bits is Harbor freight on Reno and Macarthur. They work just as well as the expensive ones. On sale they are like $3, a little more if not on sale. Drill at a medium speed with a water drip. Mark your hole with a magic marker and coat with vasoline or chap stick so the water does not remove the mark.

As Dustin said, 2 inches is huge! Are you sire you need to use something with a hole that big? 1.5 inches is large enough for nearly any pump.

 

[Reefer33]

Yeah I am sorry I should have clarified, the inner diameter is 1.5" but the hole size needed drilled is approx. 2". I tried the whole dremel bit and it takes way too long, I think I will head to harbor freight and see if they might have a hole saw like you guys are talking about. Thanks for the suggestions guys.

 

[Russ Braaten]

It is not a hole saw at Harbor Freight. It is a diamond Dremmel bit. If you already have one, use it. It does not take long at all. I do them in under 10 minutes.

You use the round ball tip for the initial hole and the long straight bit to make the circle.

 

[Reefer33]

So basically you cut a small hole in your circle outline then slowly work the bit around your outline? I've got both a round diamond bit and a straight bit. I was practicing on a 10 gallon and it took probably 20 minutes just to puncture a small hole in it, I just figured the rest would be just as tedious.

 

[dugg]

Keep practicing on the 10 gallon and you will soon have it down to under 10 minutes per hole. The hardest part is punching the first hole through. The rest is nothing. Be absolutly certain you don't have a tempered bottom glass before drilling. I think the majority of tanks over 55gallon have tempered bottom panels.

 

[Reefer33]

Yeah it's probably more nerve racking than it needs to be. I am not even drilling the bottom pane anyways. Don't even want to tempt that fate. I am positive this tank doesn't have tempered glass. Thanks for the help guys!

 

[Russ Braaten]

the use of water as a coolant will allow you to cut a lot faster. A rocking motion with each of the bits will help too.

 

[lat0403]

What happens if it is tempered?

 

[lat0403]

Oh, nevermind. I typed it in on Google and this popped up.