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

[DMBillies]

Tempered glass cannot be drilled. Usually only the bottom of tanks are tempered, so many of them can still be drilled on the sides. However, I don't think it is 100% safe to assume that only the bottom of a tempered tank is tempered. Most tanks have stickers on them telling you whether they are tempered or not (and whether it's just the bottom) when you buy them. The problem is, the stickers have a way of disappearing and many tanks that people are wanting to drill are used (if you are going to spend the $$ to buy new it is probably worth it just to buy a tank that is already reef-ready). Contacting the manufacturer to be safe would be the course of action I'd recommend.

 

[klam114]

is there a easy way to find out if your tank is tempered or not i have a 90 gallon 48x18x24. on the website it said tempered bottom but not sure about the sides. please help

 

[medic29]

It is said you can use two polarlized lenses to see if it is tempered...you can see a pattern.

 

[swedish steel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8397747#post8397747 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by donald altman
do you know what size you used for lau's 45mm or 60mm bit
from them?

When buying bits, it's best to know the bulkhead hole size needed first. Then order the correct hole size. For instance, the heavier duty schedule 80 bulkhead fittings will probably require a larger hole. The one inch bulkheads I use require a 1 7/8 inch hole. 1 inch = 25.4 mm therefore 1.875 x 25.4 = 47.625mm. Lau does have 48 mm hole saws. HTH

 

[donald altman]

hey 93blackmustang after waiting anouther day or two for the bits lau told me he sent anouther set of them to me.. 2 days after that I recived the first order we thought had been lost.
My guess is it is just taking a tad longer to get to you then some of the other peoples due to all kinds of things that could have happend and slowed it.

He will send replacements if they are lost but I can't see how he can afford to.

So now for 9 dollars I am getting 2 diamond coated drillbits
and shipping two times to me was 8 of that 9 bucks.
I am going to do the right thing and pay for the other drill bit as soon as I receive it even though I only needed one.
No use is ripping off someone willing to loose money in order to do the right thing for me. I like Lau and seems to be a great product too. I looked at the bit that I do have and it seems like it is going to work great.


Now that I have it I am on the hunt for the right bulkheads for it.
and how to run the plumbing. (the fun part)

I still have to get a pump too !

I think I am going to cut 2 upper returns 2 lower returns and 2 supply. the 2 uppers will drain the tank to the reugium and then the up supply will be U tubed over the top. The two lower returns and intakes will be on a SCWD in a closed loop.

 

[donald altman]

swedish.. it doens't matter what bulk head I get as long as it works. I can get cheap bulkheads from any company.. I can't get cheap diamond bits from any company. Also I know that people here are using laus bits in both sizes and that they have found bulkheasd that work with them. I am just asking which ones they use since they have already done the reasearch and found them.

Bulkheads are everywhere and pretty easy to find diamond bits are not. I figured out that the bulkheads I need are

2.36 inches which is 2 and 9/25ths

1.77 inches which is 1 and 7/9ths

I guess a slightly smaller bulkhead would work.

 

[Reef Developer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8398945#post8398945 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Holmez221b
I'm not exactly sure either... but my 55 is drilled on the bottom for my overfllows.. The reason I was wondering was because I have an old 55 I want to use for a sump and I plan on drilling it myself.

Keep in mind that tempered glass can have holes, but they are drilled before the glass is tempered. So don't assume that if it has holes its not tempered.

If anyone needs replacement glass, tempered or not, I highly recomend this place (used them for my shower doors):

http://wilsonglass.com/

Kevin

 

[donald altman]

I was told that ALL 55 aquariums are tempered after they are assembled in order to give them a little more rigidity, they are so thin and tall and the glass thickness remains thin becuase you would loose to much depth perseption looking into a 12 inch wide tank that has thicker glass.. so they are completly tempered to overcome the pressure that the hieght creates on the thinner glass.

 

[donald altman]

Also I did the math and have some numbers to share..
a 45mm bit will be used for a 1 inch bulkhead that od is 1 3/4 inch
or 1.75inches the whole drilled would be 1.77 inches.
so there is wiggle room and it will fit nicely. Most 1 inch bulkheads require a 1 3/4 whole so everything is good with that one.

The 60mm bit comes out to be 2.36 inches which is 2 and 9/25.
so I have to find something smaller thats will fit inside that hole.
2.25 or 2 1/4 inch od fitting for 1.5 inch hole. I can't seem to find anything like that most are 2 5/8 whole required or a 63mm fitting.

I have seen over and over people saying 60mm for a 1.5 inch bulkhead but I can't find an example of a 1.5 bulkhead that will actually work.. can somone link me to one that they used and know for sure works.. or a website that is said to fit a smaller hole then a 2 5/8 like I am seeing everywhere. It would almost have to be 2 1/4 to be a common size and fit the 60mm hole.


I could use all one inch and be fine but everyone seemed to think 1.5 would work better for drain tubes and be quieter.

It also is stated countless times all over this huge thread that the 60mm works perfect for a standard 1.5 inch bulkhead and I just don't think it is so.. I hope I am wrong somehow.. but if it is found to be wrong can we please edit all the posts tot he right size especialy since this is a posted sticky meant to easily help people.. people are going to see the size conversion and bank on it being right because it is a help thread and it is sticky and because it is mentioned and agreed upon so many times in this thread.

thanks all... I am not trying to sound like a jerk or a "know it all" I am just not sure if I am doing something wrong and I want to make sure everyone that is here learning is learning accurate information. Thanks agian everyone

 

[medic29]

I also did some checking in regards to the holes needed for these bulkheads.

1/2" bulkhead = 1.125" hole = 30mm bit
1" bulkhead = 1.75" hole = 45mm bit
1 1/2" bulkhead = 2.375-2.5" hole = 60-65mm bit
2" bulkhead = 2.875-3.0" hole = 75mm bit

It seems like the 60mm bit should work for the 1 1/2" bulkhead.

Good Luck

 

[Reef Developer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8404214#post8404214 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by donald altman

I have seen over and over people saying 60mm for a 1.5 inch bulkhead but I can't find an example of a 1.5 bulkhead that will actually work.. can somone link me to one that they used and know for sure works.. or a website that is said to fit a smaller hole then a 2 5/8 like I am seeing everywhere. It would almost have to be 2 1/4 to be a common size and fit the 60mm hole.


I could use all one inch and be fine but everyone seemed to think 1.5 would work better for drain tubes and be quieter.

It also is stated countless times all over this huge thread that the 60mm works perfect for a standard 1.5 inch bulkhead and I just don't think it is so.. I hope I am wrong somehow.. but if it is found to be wrong can we please edit all the posts tot he right size especialy since this is a posted sticky meant to easily help people.. people are going to see the size conversion and bank on it being right because it is a help thread and it is sticky and because it is mentioned and agreed upon so many times in this thread.

thanks all... I am not trying to sound like a jerk or a "know it all" I am just not sure if I am doing something wrong and I want to make sure everyone that is here learning is learning accurate information. Thanks agian everyone [/B]

Well, I just got a 60mm bit from Lau and a 1-1/2 bulkhead from Aquatic Ecosystems and they work fine. Here's the part numbers and website. Note that they carry different bulkheads so use the part numbers below:

BKF2 (1/2")
BKF6 (1-1/2")
http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/

Also, I used the 28mm bit from him and it also fits the above 1/2" bulkhead well.

 

[Holmez221b]

I see what your saying .... For my 55 gallon tank I had to draw a diagram of where I wanted to have the holes drilled and what sizes..

 

[donald altman]

thanks much.. from the math it shows a 63mm bit would be needed but perhaps there has been rounding of numbers for both the bulkhead measurements and also the drill bits allowing it to work.
This must be the case.. great news

Thank you very much on the definate answer to my question RD I appreciate it.

 

[dtaranath]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8404830#post8404830 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by donald altman
thanks much.. from the math it shows a 63mm bit would be needed but perhaps there has been rounding of numbers for both the bulkhead measurements and also the drill bits allowing it to work.
This must be the case.. great news

Thank you very much on the definate answer to my question RD I appreciate it.

let me set the record straight for you. I used the 60mm bit from lau, and I purchased a regular 1.5" bulkhead from www.savko.com.

I was also concerned that the bit might be millimeters off, but it's not. it's a perfect fit, with a tad bit of room leftover. part of the reason is that since we are drilling these tanks by hand, there will be slight variation in your hold while drilling the tank. perhaps it might not fit if you can hold your arm with the drill in your hand with laser accuracy for 20minutes, but i haven't met that person yet.

even with a machine, there is slight vibration which will make the actual hole slightly larger than 60mm diameter.

given that, i would bet any 1.5" bulkhead would work with the 60mm bit from lau.

hope that helps. you can click on my gallery to see the pictures of my drilling, step by step.

d

 

[donald altman]

thanks d !

 

[donald altman]

opps sorry

 

[JustOneMoreTank]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8427987#post8427987 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dtaranath

hope that helps. you can click on my gallery to see the pictures of my drilling, step by step.

d [/B]

So my pictures are not good enough? Ha Just kidding. Wife and I went out tonight and just got it. Gotta run. :rollface:

 

[donald altman]

I've ordered my bulkheads from savco.. I'll let you all know how they work out. Ip lan to ake some pictures.
I stillhaven't received the 1.5 drill bit but I do have the 1 inch one.
This is going to be a fun project.

 

[donald altman]

I've ordered my bulkheads from savco.. I'll let you all know how they work out. Ip lan to ake some pictures.
I stillhaven't received the 1.5 drill bit but I do have the 1 inch one.
This is going to be a fun project.

 

[apache73]

Looking for Advice

Looking for Advice

I have been lurking/studying up via this thread in order to prep for drilling my 37 Oceanic cube.

I ordered some hole saws from Lau. I placed my order last month for the sizes that I needed and after 4 weeks had gone by and without receiving any bits I contacted Lau. He promptly sent out another set. Shortly thereafter wouldn't you know it the first set shows up. Great! However, when I did some test runs I noticed that all the bits had a slight wobble to them.

A few days later, the second set shows up (took about a week). I slap these bits run them on my drill and they all have a slight wobble as well. *** over? At this point I'm thinking that maybe my drill's end is bent or something. This project involved drilling some holes in an acrylic overflow. The bi-metal bits I purchased worked flawlessly and they spun true. So, the theory about my drill being busted was out the door.

I went ahead and drilled two holes in the backside of my tank. One 1" hole (the overflow), and one 0.75" hole (the return).

Both holes took about 35 minutes each to drill. My hand drill's speed trigger can't be locked in place so I took a piece of "hundred mile an hour tape" and used that piece to tape/set the drill to my best estimation of about 200 rpm(s).

The 1' hole turned out ok ( is used the same tape on the backside of the hole to help with chipping), there is some chipping from the drill's exit. The second hole turned out messy. No cracks but some larger than expected chips along the hole's fringes. I took my time, both holes started out drilling fine, and I used a special glass cutting liquid from HD to lubricate and cool the bits.

I guess the slightly wobby bits are the cause of this. I am unimpressed by the quality of these hole saws. An aquaintance who helped me construct my sump for this tank showed me his hole saws. The quality is significantly better (very noticable just by looks alone)-and I am sure the price tag is immense. Anybody who plans on a prolonged career of cutting holes in glass shold probably buy some quality bits.

The only reason I mention the bit issue is so that the any future user of these bits knows that could be issues.

Now finally the advice I need part!! I am not confident that the bulkhead installation will be leak free. Especially, for the 0.75" hole. What are some measures to help augment the bulkheads gasket's job in order to provide a water tight seal? Please be very specific!!!

Thanks so much!!

G


I reden