How to drill your tank, ILLUSTRATED!

[raskal311]

btw instead of modeling clay I use tape to make a pool, it works very well and less messy. And the bowl isn't needed just place a towel to catch the glass. When using a hole saw I just put a strip of tape on the back of the glass, this gives me a cleaner cut when it breaks through and hold the glass after the cut so it doesnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t fall.

 

[dirtyreefer]

great instructions! Thanks for posting

 

[mdellyd]

How close to the top of the tank can you drill a hole?

I have read one inch. Is this correct?

 

[charlesgage]

There was a guy on here who drilled drain holes for an external overflow much closer than that on a 90 with great success. Though i don't know if a bulkhead would change anything?

 

[garvondavis14]

so on most glass tanks is the bottom the only piece of glass that's tempered and un-drillable?

 

[Stile2]

I drilled my 29 gallon with a dremel with the top of the holes about 1/4" away from the top edge. One year so far, no probelms at all.

Yes, the tank was far of critters while I drilled.

If your interested here is the thread.

Keith

 

[charlesgage]

Thanks keith! Your thread was one i used to figure everything out, i wanted to give you credit earlier but then couldn't find the thread

 

[garvondavis14]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6515367#post6515367 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by garvondavis14
so on most glass tanks is the bottom the only piece of glass that's tempered and un-drillable?

anyone know?

 

[Stile2]

Most tanks with any tempered glass will have a sticker that says "tempered". If you any doubts contact the manufacturer so you can find out without shattered glass all over you.

Keith

 

[jaypee]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6515415#post6515415 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Stile2
I drilled my 29 gallon with a dremel with the top of the holes about 1/4" away from the top edge. One year so far, no probelms at all.

Likewise on my 33. I got the idea from the same threads you noted in your thread. Almost two years and no problems.

 

[stewie24]

What size tank did you drill and what size bulkheads for the overflow and return?
I"m assuming you used a slip fitting for the overflow bulkhead?
I'm planning on drilling a 10 gallon and I want the return to be a 1/2 bulkhead. Would you reccommend using a 3/4 or 1 inch bulkhead for the overflow?
Thanks
Stewie

 

[3rotorFD]

thank you sir!

 

[sandman450f]

Heres another method that worked well for me, with a dremel,using a plywood template clamped to the tank, held the water very well and provided a guide. made decent holes. Drilled 6 holes, 4 drains and 2 returns on a 100g.

Hole placement rule of thumb is 1.5X the diameter of the hole from the edge. Dont know who said it, but I got that here on RC, IE the top of a 1" hole should be 1.5" from the edge.

://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/94549DVC00080.JPG

 

[charlesgage]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6527027#post6527027 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stewie24
What size tank did you drill and what size bulkheads for the overflow and return?
I"m assuming you used a slip fitting for the overflow bulkhead?
I'm planning on drilling a 10 gallon and I want the return to be a 1/2 bulkhead. Would you reccommend using a 3/4 or 1 inch bulkhead for the overflow?
Thanks
Stewie

I am using a 3/4" bulkhead for the drain and 1/2 inch return, all slip fitted. I only have an MJ1200 running for the return right now and it handles it just fine, but i am constructing a small glass internal overflow to provide better surface skimming and add a durso, because right now this thing is NOISY! There is never any problem with going bigger, but on a small tank 1" is pretty unsightly plumbing. I will post pictures of the running system with internal overflow when i finish it (likely tommorow).

 

[MichaelKim]

What department or area of Wal-Mart did you find bulkheads in?

 

[charlesgage]

Sorry i didn't mean to leave tha impression. I didn't get the bulkheads at wal-mart.

 

[mille239]

Thanks for the great step by step.. I sucessfully drilled my 29g last night for a 2" bulkhead, and it was a snap. I used a rotozip tile cutting bit on my dremel and it seemed to just melt through the glass like butter.

Thanks again for taking the time to outline it.

 

[charlesgage]

No problem! I am going to have to check out the rotozip tile bit!

 

[Stile2]

I used the rotozip and the tile bit to do this. Took about 7 minutes.

The hole is about 22" long by 3/4" by 3/8" thick.

Keith

 

[dwhit0102]

Thanks for the lessons guys i'm going to drill the back of my 65 so i don't see that ugly HOB overflow