How I drilled my 20gal tank, fully setup with fish already in it. v2 with pictures

[thomor25]

I don't see why not.

 

[AusCal]

Read the original thread and now this one, well done to the original author!

Just wondering if it would be possible to use this method to create a shallow 'U' shape in the side of a tank starting at the top edge of the tank and going say 1/2" down and 3" long, this way this could be my overflow as it were, into an external box that is on the outside of the aquarium where there can be a bulkhead running into the plumbing system for the sump/fuge etc.

I just don't want to use up any unnecesary space in what i consider to be an already too small tank...

or is it just best to stay a good 2 or more inche's away from the egde? - i guess the thing is the tank wouldn't crack to the edge as I would be grinding the edge away anyway right...

Sounding like a plan to me... or am I just being stoopid and missing something?

Cheers
Cal

 

[Mchava]

no not at all you might want to do a search on external overflows. I have mine running that way. But I used the rotozip tile cutting bit and only took me about 10min to do it. Give that a try I will see if i can't find that treat for you.
Mario

 

[Mchava]

Here you go this is the treat on it hope this helps.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=271539&highlight=external+overflow
Mario

 

[thomor25]

Thanks for the compliments, i wouldn't cut a u shape out I'd do an oval and leave some material accross the top for bracing, by cutting out the top of it you are effectively weakening the tank along the top.

 

[Phildirt]

Hey thomor25, how thick was your 20gal glass?

 

[thomor25]

1/8th I think whatever teh standard is

 

[Phildirt]

Thanks!

 

[Leopardshark]

Hi Thomor25, pretty nice job!.
Stile2,
I would like to ask you a question.
Would you drill a 2 inch hole with a 2" tip to a 300gal tank with livestock in it?. The glass is 1/2" thick.
If so, how long would it take to do it in a safe way (I mean how slow would you recommend me to make the hole?)
IÃ"šÃ‚´m asking you because I have a 300gal tank and I have a friend who has a 2" tip, and he has made several holes to many tanks, but IÃ"šÃ‚´m unsure to do the same in my tank.
Thanks
Marco

 

[thomor25]

thanks, haven't been on the fourms in a while but hey the thread could use a bump to help people out.

 

[Reef_bones]

Forget the diamond bits. Look for the carbide cutting bits or tile cutting bits... I cut 3 holes (1" bulkheads) in a 125 in about 15 minutes...

I personally use a dremal advantage roto tool with the dremel advantage carbide cutting bit. I have the package at home I will post the number of the bit when I can check the package..

 

[ScottS]

Awsome

Awsome

Thanks So Much. Finally converted my 20 gallon to a top off res. It only took five minutes on a 1/2" hole. I used a 7103 and a 7144 to cut it out. It really paid off when I found this thread. Now I'm eye balling my 90 gallon.

ScottS