Step-by-Step: Drilling Holes in Your Glass Tank for Bulkheads

[10" Red Devil]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6403005#post6403005 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dwall174
If you have a marina near you they may have them! The same bulkheads we use for our tanks are used for the live wells on fishing boats. Also check with pool & spa suppliers they may also have some.

Cool!

How about the hole saw bits?

 

[dwall174]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6404982#post6404982 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 10" Red Devil
How about the hole saw bits?

I originally paid around $40 for my 1-3/4ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ diamond hole saw! Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m working on a new tank & Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m going to get several more saws from Treasure HK I can't see paying the high price if these cheaper bits will also work! If I need to drill 25+ holes then maybe the better ones might pay for themselves, But for what I need the cheaper ones should work!

 

[10" Red Devil]

Yeah but can you get these hole saws at any retail outlet around? Such as Home Depot, Lowes, etc?

Thanks.

 

[dwall174]

Not at Home Depot or Lowes!
Maybe from a ceramic supplier or a tile store? But then you will probably be paying like $40~$50 for a 1-3/4ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ bit like I originally did!

 

[Superorb]

i just cant figure out why i had such bad luck with the string of bits that i got. oh well, the world may never know.

 

[frank10]

Maybe you caught a bad lot or something.

 

[Superorb]

that's what i'm thinking.

 

[frank10]

I'm considering the double threaded bulkheads from marine depot. Should I go with the heavy duty version?

 

[meagan_myers]

If both Savko and Marine depot list a Sch. 80 2" bulkhead needing a 3 1/4 inch hole (82.55mm) then which of Lou's drill bits would be the right one? He has an 80mm and an 85mm. Would 85mm be too big?

 

[stgla]

I used double threaded bulkhead (going through the side, not bottom) and now I realize I can't find male threaded fittings I need (tee and 90-degree elbow -- 1.5").

 

[DerekW]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6412737#post6412737 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stgla
I used double threaded bulkhead (going through the side, not bottom) and now I realize I can't find male threaded fittings I need (tee and 90-degree elbow -- 1.5").

For threaded tee:
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/7249/cid/1826
But you need to use a nipple to attach

For the elbow:
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/7405/cid/1867
or this with a nipple
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/7412/cid/1854

 

[Fl_seagull]

I just started drilling my 75 gal to put in a Calfo (?) type overflow. I don't use a hole saw I use stainglass bits.

Well... I cracked my first tank.:mad2:

I got impatient and the bit was dull. It wasn't from over heating it was from hitting the glass :hammer:.

 

[frank10]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6416214#post6416214 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fl_seagull
I just started drilling my 75 gal to put in a Calfo (?) type overflow. I don't use a hole saw I use stainglass bits.

Well... I cracked my first tank.:mad2:

I got impatient and the bit was dull. It wasn't from over heating it was from hitting the glass :hammer:.

sorry to hear about that. you'll get it right next time.

I drilled my holes last weekend and it was easier than I thought. I did the water dam thing and took my time. The only "difficult" part was getting the bit started into the glass. If possible, try practicing on some spare glass.

 

[meagan_myers]

Does anyone have an opinion on how close the drill bit shoud be in size to the bulkhead's recommended hole needed? Such as a 1" sch 80 needing a 2" hole (50.8mm). Would a 52mm drill bit be to much of a difference?

 

[stgla]

It should probably be slightly larger. If you have the bulkhead you can measure the width of the flange and gasket. That's your wiggle room. The flange is the "lip" or flat disc-shaped piece that sits flush with inside of your tank wall and the gasket is the flat rubber ring that sits against the tank wall from the outside. (Someone please correct me if I have that wrong).

If you make the hole too small (as I did), you can enlarge it with a grinding stone, but it can be tedious and require different bits and more risk to your glass.

If you make it a bit too large, the flange will probably still cover it. If you make it way too large, then you're toast and you need a larger bulkhead.

 

[aroundtuit]

Why not take a piece of wood or some other material, about the same thickness as your glass, and drill a few holes in it of varying sizes. Then you could test fit the bulkhead and know precisely how it's going to fit in your tank.

Of course you probably would not have the diamond bit yet, so you would have to find some way to drill the holes in the wood to the exact size. I'm not sure I'd use the bit on wood even if I had it.

 

[dwall174]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6468314#post6468314 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stgla
The flange is the "lip" or flat disc-shaped piece that sits flush with inside of your tank wall and the gasket is the flat rubber ring that sits against the tank wall from the outside. (Someone please correct me if I have that wrong)

The gasket needs to be in-between the flange & the glass.
The bulkhead can be installed either way, With the flange inside or outside of the tank! Just be sure the gasket is in-between the glass & the flange.

 

[meagan_myers]

So there is several millimeters of wiggle room then, right?

 

[stgla]

Meagan, yes, but don't believe us. Get your bulkhead before you drill. That was the advice I ignored and wish I hadn't.

 

[meagan_myers]

ok. thanks!