I need a shopping list-drilling overflow

[Swanwillow]

So! I'm going to have someone way more experienced with drilling tanks than me drill my tank. But I need a shopping list of what I need so he can do it!

I was seriously thinking about getting a glass holes in and out kit, for the simple fact that-they send me everything but the sump and pump. (the 1500 in-n-out complete kit, if you're curious) To me that would be the easiest way to go. I don't have to go hunting at home depot or menards or ace for the supplies.. but its a bit spendy. Then again, EVERYTHING is spendy in this hobby.

The tank is a 150 gallon (standard) with a big ole fat center brace.

If I was to go get the same sort of stuff from a big-box store, can someone give me a list so I can compare prices. I am totally clueless as to what I would need. And I think I'd have to buy the drill bit, which would be online too-right?

 

[NJAB]

I finished drilling my 75 GAL tank about 6 months ago and i bought some on ebay and some locally I don't have the links but here is what i bought (also i went with 1" and 3/4" bulkheads yours might be larger):
(1) 1800 GPH overflow box from ebay it was a TX seller about $25
(1) Tube of aquarium sealant to attach the overflow to the glass $8
(2) 1" inch Bulkheads at the LFS $8 a piece
(1) 3/4" inch Bulkhead at the LFS $6 a piece

it important to get your bulkheads before you hole saw so you can measure the shank and determine how large you hole needs to be.

(1) diamond hole saw for the 1" inch bulkhead $3 from china
(1) diamond hole saw for the 3/4" inch bulkhead $2.50 from china

once you know how large your holes need to be you can get the diamond hole saw, if you order them from ebay they will more then likely by in millimeters and not imperial measurements so just use goggle to convert the numbers. the hole saw drill bit will usually be slightly bigger then the hole needs to be but this is fine as the gasket on the bulkhead will cover that slight difference the drill bit attaches to a standard drill (i went with a corded drill as it has constant power)

once you have the drill bits you can drill the tank but also it is very important to make sure the pane of glass you are drilling is not tempered as it will shatter once you get into it. once you know its glass just either have a container of water or the water hose next to you make sure if your using a corded drill your cord is not near or in the water and add water to the glass and begin to drill making sure the drill bit has water on it. never put pressure on the drill just let it work its way through the glass, it took about 2-3 mins for the the drill bit to work it way through through my 75 gal oceanic tank.

 

[Swanwillow]

Yup, I'm doing the upper corner on an oceanic, its not tempered But that's an awesome list, thank you. My LFS doesn't have bulkheads or anything... I wish they did.

 

[MondoBongo]

i would order extra hole saws. they dull fast, even on thinner glass.

i would also recommend a drill press stand if you're planning on using a hand drill, makes like way easier:

http://www.amazon.com/Wolfcraft-452...=1450194661&sr=1-1&keywords=drill+press+stand

also, don't use a cordless drill. you will grow old recharging batteries, and never get the torque you need.

i ran the waste water line from my RODI unit in to the drill press stand. that was i was able to keep the bit cooler than Billy Dee Williams while i was working, and make water at the same time.

it takes a loooooooooong time.

oh, and make sure you put something inside the tank like cardboard or an old towel to catch falling plugs. the last thing you want is to shatter the front pane when you finish drilling a hole in the back one.

 

[C.Eymann]

Also helps to make a ring of silly putty around where you are drilling to help the water pool a bit where you are drilling.

 

[Swanwillow]

Yup, I have a corded drill-no batteries in my house! (Although it'd be handy to use one with a battery outside-but I also have a 100' Extension cord for that)

I know of the silly putty. Like I said, I have someone else doing the actual drilling, I just need to come up with a supply list I do like the idea of making rodi water while drilling though. That'll be handy!

 

[JMorris271]

Youtube has tons of videos on doing this. Very worth your time to watch a few.

 

[Clownfish Chris]

I used to work with glass in the optical industry surfacing, drilling and edging ophthalmic glass lenses.

I would keep water flowing rather than pooling up. Duct tape a hose to the glass and have it trickle over where the cut is to be made. By clearing the glass particles as you drill, you will have a cleaner cut. Also, clamp a piece of wood to the underside of where the hole is being drilled. By doing this, the scrap disk will not fall on tho the opposite pain and you will not punch though when the glass becomes thin. If you punch through, the glass will have what looks like chips and/or hairline cracks. These cracks are not usually a big deal but they can be a point of failure if something else is out of wack. The key is SLOW and EASY.

 

[billdogg]

I would NOT use a corded drill unless it has a clutch. The advantage of a cordless is that 99% of them have a clutch. You want the setting to be just about as low as it will go so that if (when) it does bind, you won't crack the glass. Another reason is that using a corded anything around water is a less than good idea. Figure ~ 8-10 minutes/hole keeping the speed fairly slow.

FWIW, my rigid can drill at least 4 x 2" bulkhead holes on one charge.

I just make an X with duct tape on the inside to prevent the blank from falling, plumbers putty around the perimeter filled with water on the outside. The running water is a great idea, but could get a little messy. I use a watering can and have my wife keep the circle filled.

The easiest option is the glass-holes kit you are looking at. You will get everything you need except drill and tank, it will get to you quickly, and if there are any questions, they have great customer service. They even include a hole pattern/guide to steady the bit starting out. No drill stand required. If you piece it together, make sure the bits are the correct size for the bulkheads you are using. (Sch40/80/ABS all use different sizes)

jm.02

 

[Swanwillow]

Hmm, well then I'll have to borrow a different drill. I guess there's a dozen different opinions, right?!?!

This is why I just want to do a HOB overflow, lol. Set it up and check it once a week to make sure its still flowing.

 

[Deftones2015]

Hmm, well then I'll have to borrow a different drill. I guess there's a dozen different opinions, right?!?!

This is why I just want to do a HOB overflow, lol. Set it up and check it once a week to make sure its still flowing.

After you do a drilled tank you will never want to go back to hob at least I don't.
http://www.glass-holes.com Has everything u need minus the drill and putty for a ring around the hole. It is intimidating at first but it's not too hard.

 

[Swanwillow]

I've had both. I actually don't mind the HOB, and it lasted a good long time until I upgraded and bought a 75 that was already drilled

 

[MondoBongo]

I didn't have any issues with binding, but it took me waaaay longer than 10 minutes per hole. More like 90.

I didn't have glass holes bits though, so that could be the issue. I just ordered some glass hole saws from Amazon, which probably weren't nearly as good a quality.

The running water did get messy around my feet. My shoes were definitely soggy by the end. As far as the cord on the drill, I just made sure it was suspended above me, far away from any water.

 

[ucdcrew]

I used one of those grease pencils on the outside of the tank to mark where I wanted to drill. I also used some big paper to sketch out what I wanted at actual size (tracing the circles the right size too). I realized that the flanges on my bulkheads would have been right where I wanted my overflow to go. I put an old towel inside as well to catch the water and make sure the 'plug' of glass wont' break the other side.

 

[foundnemo11]

I used glass holes.. no complaits at all. Worked great over years and great customer servic as well

 

[stefdvm]

We did 3 holes this weekend - never drilled glass before - mine is 1/2". Got diamond hole bits and a drill stand; did it in the driveway so we just pulled the hose over and let it run slowly across the drill the entire time. Duct tape and wood covering the inside of the tank to protect the glass... no chips, no cracks, no trouble - only took about 30 minutes per hole which shocked all of us! but it was a good time - felt SO accomplished lol