Tank Drilling

[Fireworm]

has anyone drilled glass tanks before? I thought Chad said that he had, but I can't remember. I would like to drill a 10g for a return for a fuge that it will become.

 

[tazman71]

I did drill my 58 gallon.
I have heard not to try on a 10 gallon, as the glass is too thin. What size hole do you want? I have the bit to do a hole for a 1 inch bulkhead. If you have a tank, and do not have the baffles in it, I would take a shot at it, but since I have not done one of these, I cannot gaurantee it won't crack.
Maybe I could do this at the next meeting so that people can see how it is done.
Chad

 

[toobrie]

The glass on a 10g is too thin to drill, ive tried before and it cracks and breaks to easily.

 

[JCR's Reef]

I've drilled a 10g and a 20g with no problems. Just takes a little time and patience.
Mark where you want your hole- take a water hose and place so there is continous water so it doesnt heat up the bit or glass- and let the bit do the work. Only apply very little pressure, if any at all. The moving water is key so that everything get washed away to stop bit from binding up, and it keeps the heat down. Hope this helps

 

[cspurr]

At least 1.5 inches away from ANY edge - based on all of the info I have read on it - I read a lot - just never done it before - Looks VERY simple. Just need to make a clay dam with about a centimeter of water in the dam so the diamond bit doesn't get hot - use VERY VERY little pressure - takes time. (watched videos of it) YouTube - search "drilling" "glass" "aquarium"

You have to go VERY slow with almost no pressure when punching through...or else it will splinter and you will have TINY shards splinter off (on the exit side) from the pressure...not a clean hole. (And we all like CLEAN holes)

A couple guys on the net... www.glass-holes.com
Have some vids (overflows)...they do it to make some coin.

You can do it...total DIY job. I am quite comfortable now with all of the info I have read on it - all of it seems to say the same thing - which is good - using similar methods, etc.

Hope this helps...

-Chris