Drlling a glass tank

[saltydog_46241]

I recently read a thread about drilling a glass fish tank with a carbide tipped dremel tool. I just got a 75g and would like to drill holes for sump. The thread also warned about tempered glass and how to check for it. The tank I'm going to drill is not made out of tempered glass so I'm lucky for that. Does anyone have any pic's of a reef ready 75g tank or suggestions where to put intake and how many exhausts. Would like to set-up reef tank professionally. Right now i have a 100g reef w/29 sump with a black overflow. It doesn't look that great when you still have this big ugly box in tank. Any help would be apprecieated.

 

[bigb]

Google "horizontal overflows"
try the link on flikr, plenty of pics.

 

[ocellaris_keeper]

an overhang overflow is a way better idea. If you crack the tank it's done, and even if you just put a hairline nick at the hole it'll begin to grow because you will be putting a lot of weight (8.5 pounds * 75 = 637lbs) and it's just not worth it. You're better off getting a predrilled tank.
Wally's Aquarium in Virginia is having a sale (wallyaquarium.com) and you could buy one and have it shipped for the destruction of the tank you have.

 

[maeistero]

we seem to have a lot of success here in the midwest (kc) with drilling. it's really quite easy if you are sure it's not tempered.
if anyone around here has doubts, there are many glass companies, auto and not, that are more than willing to handle it.

 

[jamie814]

Drilling a glass tank is not hard it just takes a bit of time, slow drill speed, light pressure and some water for lubrication while drilling. It is not like drilling a hole in wood. And a carbide tiped drill bit will not work on glass. It has to be a diamond drill or hole saw. In fact I just got done drilling my 90 for a closed loop. I have 3 sizes of hole saws I am selling one for a 1.5" bulkhead a 1" bulkhead and a 3/4" bulkhead (that is not the bit sizes that is the bulkhead sizes the bits are for). If you would like any of them let me know $5 a peice and their yours only drilled one hole with each so their in good shape just no use for them now.

Most tanks are temperd on the bottom for strength unless your sure the bottom is not temperd I would not drill it there the sides are fine though and almost never temperd.
I have never cracked a tank yet and have drilled 8 holes in 3 differnt tanks now if it's not temperd it's rare that it will crack when done right.

 

[joez]

do AllGlassAquariums come tempered?

 

[jamie814]

Originally Posted by JoeZ
do AllGlassAquariums come tempered?
Just the bottoms on all glass brand tanks I belive from 20 gallon on up. All the sides are fine to drill. The reef ready ones that are drilled on the bottom are drilled BEFORE they are temperd.

 

[bigb]

Most AGA sides aren't bottom are. Best to email them wih tank size and ask.
You need these diamond coated hole saws they can be found cheap on the auction site
45mm-1 inch bulkhead
60mm-1.5 inch bulkhead
85mm- 2 inch bulkhead (83mm would be better, a 2 in bulkhead requires a 3.25 in hole)

 

[saltydog_46241]

Originally Posted by jamie814
Drilling a glass tank is not hard it just takes a bit of time, slow drill speed, light pressure and some water for lubrication while drilling. It is not like drilling a hole in wood. And a carbide tiped drill bit will not work on glass. It has to be a diamond drill or hole saw. In fact I just got done drilling my 90 for a closed loop. I have 3 sizes of hole saws I am selling one for a 1.5" bulkhead a 1" bulkhead and a 3/4" bulkhead (that is not the bit sizes that is the bulkhead sizes the bits are for). If you would like any of them let me know $5 a peice and their yours only drilled one hole with each so their in good shape just no use for them now.

Most tanks are temperd on the bottom for strength unless your sure the bottom is not temperd I would not drill it there the sides are fine though and almost never temperd.
I have never cracked a tank yet and have drilled 8 holes in 3 differnt tanks now if it's not temperd it's rare that it will crack when done right.
Sure would love to buy all three. If you could send me pic's of closed loop you did to your 90. I also have a 90 which I'm moving. Write me direct at planemx462@yahoo.com and I'll send PayPal or check whatever you prefer.