Need help: drilling questions

[CanadianReef]

For anyone that has done this, what do you use to drill a 1" or even better a 1 1/2" hole in the back of an aquarium made of 1/2" glass or acrylic. I am in the planning stages for my next bigger tank and want to do it right so I am thinking of a 220gal that is not predrilled and adding an overflow spanning the whole back of the tank about 3-4" deep in the water.

So I need to decide: acrylic vs glass... I think glass, then figure out how to drill it because I can't imagine hauling it around to get it drilled. Just looking for your thoughts, I will probably need help again as I progress. I have lots of time, planning to go online in July of next year and will have a seperate tankroom behind the tank.

 

[oceana]

its not very hard assuming the glass is not already treated. good glass holesaw and carful even preasure (drill press)
i did not find it to be that hard BUT the biggest i ever drilled was a 110. get yourself a smal piece of glass the same size and practice on that. thats what i did.

if you go with acrylic then it gets very easy. i drilled my sump and my 270 both in about 20 min and with a regular hole saw and hand drill. it was very very easy.

 

[CanadianReef]

how do you clean the inside of the glass of algae buildup without scratching? I've heard that standard abrassive pads can scar acrylic...true?

 

[oceana]

if you mean like one of those green scrubber things then yes they can scratch up the acrylic. but tiwth that said i started using the scots new no scratch scrubbing pads and they do not mark the acrylic. acrylic is even listed on the package as being safe to use the product on. none of the others i have seen say that.

it works really nice and so far i see no marking at all. just take care when cleaning to make sure you dont get any sand under the pad.

 

[BlitzK]

If you go with Glass, buy the bits from the guy on ebay (in hong kong)... and do a search here for info. There are some good how-to's.

I've cut a dozen or so holes and have been 100%. It's easy as long as you take your time!

 

[alizarin]

I've drilled several glass aquariums with a dremel, a water spray bottle (keep tip cool), and Harbor Freight diamond grinding bits (10$) - fairly easy and cheap. From what I understand glass shops will do it very cheap and quick but I've never tried.

 

[cymbiline]

On glass tanks I've used a Roto-zip with a tile cutting bit, acrylics I use a plane hole saw. Not 1 casualty to date.

Bobby

 

[adnup]

I drilled my 55 and a sump, was very easy! I have pics and links <a href="http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=831994" target="_blank">HERE</a>

 

[reefrubble]

adnup, YGAPM