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

[sea knight]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6406071#post6406071 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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!

I've seen diamond coated drill bits in the harbor frieght catalog. They may have them in store

 

[nikonosis]

i think i am going to try and drill my aga 180g. Should i be scared?

 

[Superorb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6498729#post6498729 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nikonosis
i think i am going to try and drill my aga 180g. Should i be scared?

Be confident and have patience. If you don't feel comfortable going into it you will be uneasy the whole time; something you don't want to be while drilling the glass.

 

[nikonosis]

im confident i can do it but at the same time, i have the worst luck on earth! ill drill the hole fine and when i fill the tank with water it will explode or something, lol.

 

[BraenDead]

I plan on drilling in a hole near the bottom corner of the tank to allow for easy draining of the tank. On the outside of the bulkhead, I plan on having a 1" nipple connecting a true union ball-valve to the bulkhead, with a hose barb connector and hose coming off the other side of the ball valve. Is this going to be too much weight being put on the bulkhead and cause too much strain on the glass?
Any opinions on how to prevent any strain?

Thanks,

Bob

 

[Fl_seagull]

I have 4 each 1" bulkheads in the bottom of my 125 gal. all of them have ball valves and unions along with associated tubing.

The worst that I have had is the leaks resulting from movement of the bulkheads when opening and closing the valves. For the most part I simply tied the tubing to a nearby stand frame member. My stand has a 2x4 frame with 3/8 bead board covering.

 

[causeofhim]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6500497#post6500497 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BraenDead
IAny opinions on how to prevent any strain?

I prevent strain by eating my daily recommended amount of fiber.

 

[BraenDead]

Nice Matt I suppose I should have said 'prevent strain on the tank and bulkhead.'

Bob

 

[nikonosis]

well im gonna drill my tank if that lau guy ever emails me back so i can buy some of those hole saws...

 

[dtaranath]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6500497#post6500497 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BraenDead
I plan on drilling in a hole near the bottom corner of the tank to allow for easy draining of the tank.

Make sure your bulkhead has a good seal; if something ever happened to that bulkhead, you're going to come home to a nice little lake...

 

[chrisT]

Maring Depot says you need a 2 3/8 " hole for the 1.5" bulkheads, but doing the math on the 60mm hole saw gives me a 2.36" hole which isnt quite 2.375. I just wanted to double check with the experienced glass drillers that the bulkhead will fit witout having to open the hole up anymore. Thanks for the great thread, local shops want 35 a hole with no guarantee on breakage. I would much rather do it myslef.

 

[nikonosis]

does anyone here recommend a schedule 40 or a schedule 80 bulkhead and why? Is it worth the money to get the 80's?

 

[Superorb]

Most people will say to use a sched 80 since they are much more prone to failure. However, poeple have used sched 40 without problems. Just remember that a bigger hole must be drilled when using sched 80 bulkhead, so plan accordingly.

 

[sea knight]

chrisT, perhaps they account for a slightly larger hole because of wiggle room? For example, If you drill a normal hole with a drill bit, it isn't the exact width of the bit... maybe they are thinking the same thing?

Just a thought... no idea if it will apply to your situation.

 

[causeofhim]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6529392#post6529392 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chrisT
Maring Depot says you need a 2 3/8 " hole for the 1.5" bulkheads, but doing the math on the 60mm hole saw gives me a 2.36" hole which isnt quite 2.375. I just wanted to double check with the experienced glass drillers that the bulkhead will fit witout having to open the hole up anymore. Thanks for the great thread, local shops want 35 a hole with no guarantee on breakage. I would much rather do it myslef.

I used a 60mm bit for my 1 1/2" bulkheads. Although, my bulkheads were standard sch. 40 and it was a tight fit. If they were any bigger, they wouldn't have fit.

 

[DerekW]

You could likely go 65 mm that is 2.56", Which makes the hole just over 1/8" bigger in diameter, and only 1/16" bigger around the edges of the bulkhead . The gasket should cover it

 

[REEF-DADDY]

Has anyone drillled for a 2" bulkhead? The hole size is listed as 3 1/4. I can only find 80(3.15) or 85 (3.38). I bought the 80, figuring I could always make the whole larger if need be. Also has anyone drilled such a large whole in 3/8" glass. Will I need more than one bit?

Thanks

 

[nikonosis]

im gonna be drilling in a 180g, i dunno what the glass thickness is. I am just waiting on my bits to get here.

 

[REEF-DADDY]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6557411#post6557411 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nikonosis
im gonna be drilling in a 180g, i dunno what the glass thickness is. I am just waiting on my bits to get here.

likely 3/8"

 

[ray22]

bulkhead question for an awsome thread

bulkhead question for an awsome thread

i jsut wanted to say this thread has saved me over 200 bucks . my question is i just ordered two glass drill bits for a bargin 5 bucks each . ( hell yeah) 50 bucks plus everywhere else. my question is what is the difference between double threaded fitting,a thread slip fit ? i just want to run pvc out of the back of the bulkhead to the drain and back to the return bulkhead from the pump and attach lock line to all of the returns and screens on the one closed loop drain . what kind of bulkhead do you suggest ? i am at a loss with all this slip and thread bulkhead sh@t. thank you for your advice and for the money savings.. you rock !!