I know... Sounds crazy...

[Worldwithin]

So, I have a 135 glass that recently crashed, but I didn't lose everything. I am in the process of getting this back up and running, but one thing that I would prefer for this tank is to have it drilled, rather than it have an overflow. Given that it would be a complete PIA for me to completely break down this tank to drill the back of it out for an internal drain, how improbable would it be to drain it down enough to where I could drill it without breaking it down. I understand that there are some obstacles to overcome - such as preventing the tank from cracking, cooling the drill bit, and preventing the debris from falling into the tank - but has anyone ever attempted doing something like this?? I currently have an overflow system on it, but would like something a touch more reliable, as well as having two end drains rather than one overflow.

Anyone have any ideas, or is this just a dream that will never see reality?

Thanks

:fish1::hammer:

 

[123and456]

A little light reading on the subject

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1048285
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=445481

 

[Worldwithin]

Thanks a ton for those links. This just may be possible.. Now I just need to get the dremel bits.. lol

:fish1::hammer:

 

[hllywd]

You will have an extremely difficult time trying to drill glass that thick with a dremel. Save yourself a lot of headaches with this:

http://richontools.com/catalog/i174.html

Did I mention how cheap $6.30 (shipped) is compared to the number of dremel bits you'll break???? The end result is much better as well. It will take 5 minutes, maybe, using the hole saw for each hole, just make sure your tank is not tempered. If it is it cannot be drilled.

Tim

 

[cres]

I recently did this for a buddy of mine.

He had an in wall 150 with 1/2" glass.

We mostly emptied the tank. I cleaned the glass inside and covered the whole area with tape on the inside. I made a board with a guide hole for the outside, and used two clamps to hold the outside guide and an equal sized board on the inside. I used some plumbers puddy to make a water proof seal to the tank.

On the guide side I also taped a cut up piece of storage plastic so the hole saw would be in a bath of water at the bottom.

During the cutting I changed the water in the plastic every couple minutes. I also went very slowly. Overall, it took about 20 minutes to drill.

With the tape and board inside the tank, there was little risk of anything falling inside the tank.

 

[Worldwithin]

Since it appears that this is possible, once drilled, I was looking to see how to plumb this out. I am looking at a modified Durso, but I wasn't sure if this would work with a 1" restriction (bulkhead) up at the intake side. Unlike a true durso which has a bottom drain (bulkhead at the bottom of the tank), this would have the bulkhead just after the first 90. Since there is no 1-1/4" bulkhead that I can find, would this quick restriction cause issues with draining?

Thanks
:fish1::hammer: