Minimum glass thickness to drill?

[THS]

I have a 15 gallon with ~5mm glass, and was wondering if I should try drilling it.

The guy at the lfs said maybe only 1 hole for the standpipe.

It's a hard size tank to find in my town and was wondering if I should risk it.

 

[codyreef29]

I have drilled ten gallons with no success i have drill a 14 with success. 4mm would be my min. I drilled a 20 long that worked be very slow and careful. Your kinda right there with thickness. YOUR BORDERLINE.

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

there is no issue drilling holes in any thickness of glass, other then breaking the glass while doing it...the glass will be just as strong after the holes as it was before if the plumbing is properly supported...

i have drilled tens with a 2 and three holes no problems, i have drilled my old twenty while running for two holes no issues...

be very careful grinding the holes, go slow, support the glass and the drill properly and all will be fine.

i would clamp a piece of wood to either side of the glass, essentially sandwiching the glass in planks of wood...which ever side your grinding from should have a hole (square or round) of the appropriate size to fit the diamond bit. i prefer square holes since they hold more water then a round hole will.

 

[TundraGuy]

Like Nano said sandwich the glass it’s the only way I can drill thin glass. I think it deadens the harmonics of the glass so it does not shake apart on you.

 

[dixiedog]

I've drilled 10g's more than once before without any sort of reinforcement, although I'm a cheater because I use a drill press.