Step-by-Step: Drilling Holes in Your Glass Tank for Bulkheads - Page 31

jsshark1 · #**751** 06/14/2007, 09:25 AM

I used a small air drill and just used the weight of the drill, I was in no hurry, after the first one, I new that I had to remove all the old tape and use new tape all around the old large caracole container I used to hold the water, and I had all my holes all marked so one at a time and I had them all done before the wife got home

my water level was all the way to the chuck of the drill, air drill no problem with electricity

it is about 1/2 thick.

bleedingthought · #**752** 06/14/2007, 03:42 PM

1 hour per hole is dragging it a little, isn't it?

But then again, better safe than sorry!

VINH_XUAN · #**753** 06/14/2007, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by maxwell1295
Yep, drilled 4 holes in a 125g a few weeks back. Worked like a charm and probably saved me a LOT of $$$$$. Thanks!

I have a tank like yours (125gal, black trim) but no sticker to tell which side is temped or who made but one on the bottle with the name of tech who assembled the tank. How can I can tell which side is temped, wchich is not ?
Thanks

bleedingthought · #**754** 06/14/2007, 04:03 PM

Well, usually the sides aren't tempered. If it's an AGA, that's true. No guarantees, though.

VINH_XUAN · #**755** 06/14/2007, 04:27 PM

Thanks Thiago
I'm building all the stuff around the tank. I'll be a heart broken if I end up drilling a temp one.

Can we tell who built the tank by its braces ? Thiago

bleedingthought · #**756** 06/14/2007, 06:55 PM

Not necessarily. One thing you might want to try is wearing polarized sunglasses and having the tank outside (well lit area) to see if you can see a pattern in the glass. Stare at different car windows (especially back windows) and you'll start to notice different spots that show up. That's tempered glass.

hllywd · #**757** 07/13/2007, 08:20 AM

The polarized filter method works best with two lenses (I use two camera filters, they work better because they are not tinted like sunglasses), one on each side of the glass. Rotate them to block most of the light shining through and move them simulataneously around the glass. If you see light and dark areas in the pane its tempered. You can try this on the side window of a car as it will definately be tempered.

I wear polarized sunglasses all the time and just "looking" at the glass with them on is not a reliable method to tell if it's tempered or not. The way I describe above is.

Tim

hamdogg08 · #**758** 08/08/2007, 08:41 PM

Not to jack your thread, but would 3 1" holes be too much for a ten gallon tank? You seem to be the hole drilling expert on here!

JustOneMoreTank · #**759** 08/08/2007, 09:09 PM

10g tanks have pretty thin glass. I have a friend who "challenged" me to try and drill a 10g without cracking the tank. I have not tried yet.

I would say do-able but why so many holes? Describe the setup you are trying to accomplish and maybe someone could help with a work around.
You will REALLY need to take your time to accomplish 3 holes in a 10g and keep it in one piece.

hamdogg08 · #**760** 08/08/2007, 09:15 PM

I'd like to have a setup something like Ed's: http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...=&pagenumber=1
He has his returns going over the edge of the tank, but I'd like to drill for the returns too just because I think it'd look a bit nicer than having the plumbing come back over the edge of the tank. I have considered the hang over returns also, but I'm not too fond of them.

hllywd · #**761** 08/08/2007, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hamdogg08
Not to jack your thread, but would 3 1" holes be too much for a ten gallon tank? You seem to be the hole drilling expert on here!

I think you'd need to space them as far apart and from the edges as you can, then when the bulkheads are installed it should help some with strength... Thin glass is more difficult not to chip but certainly not impossible. I had an old 10 gallon I practiced on first and never broke or cracked it. Practiced both with a rotary tool and the hole saws I use now with few problems.

BTW - 1" bulkheads take a 1 3/4" or 45mm hole.

Tim

Little Bitty · #**762** 08/13/2007, 01:47 PM

bump

BeginnerHELP · #**763** 08/13/2007, 10:10 PM

Hey i would like to know which is the best filiter system? xD
and at the moment i have two tanks 110g and i need some tips on what parts i need along with step by step on making an water system,

fillibar · #**764** 08/19/2007, 11:42 AM

Started drilling today. I handled the drill, my wife was nice enough to handle the water flow. 2 - 1" holes drilled, 5 total holes to go. Man was that nerve-wracking though. You read and read, but actually doing it was a stress. Am I keeping it straight enough, is my drill's wobble too much, etc... Plus I am drilling horizontally (we cannot tip the tank over)... In any case both holes went OK, although there is a little chipping on the edge of the hole (just before the piece fell out, inside the tank). Nothing the bulkhead shouldn't be able to cover over. Anyone have any recommendations for that?

hllywd · #**765** 08/19/2007, 01:32 PM

Should work fine as long as the gasket is on the flange side of the bulkhead. It's difficult to drill glass without minor chipping.

Tim

fillibar · #**766** 08/20/2007, 05:52 PM

It's minor and nothing I was too worried about. When drilling that thick of glass I do not really see how it would be possible not to chip, but I figured I would mention it in case someone had "the" answer. Next couple holes will probably be drilled tomorrow. If I remember to get a picture when I am done I will try to post it.

runningnreefing · #**767** 08/21/2007, 11:00 AM

How do I buy directly for Lau? What is his email address?

Thanks.

runningnreefing · #**768** 08/21/2007, 11:00 AM

How do I buy directly for Lau? What is his email address?

Thanks.

hllywd · #**769** 08/21/2007, 06:06 PM

http://richontools.com/catalog/i174.html

Those are the ones I use. Don't know how to beat the price. I've drilled quite a few holes with the 45mm one and it's still going strong.

Tim

hllywd · #**770** 08/21/2007, 06:06 PM

http://richontools.com/catalog/i174.html

Those are the ones I use. Don't know how to beat the price. I've drilled quite a few holes with the 45mm one and it's still going strong.

Tim

fillibar · #**771** 08/22/2007, 05:30 PM

How much glass will the Richon drill? I am now estimating the lau bit I had to be ~1 inch of glass (it drilled 2 holes through 1/2") but could not complete a 3rd.

argetni44 · #**772** 08/22/2007, 06:13 PM

if only more people consulted this amazing methodology... awesome application...

swedish steel · #**773** 08/22/2007, 11:50 PM

I got 4 holes on 1/2 inch glass with my bits from lau and changed for the next ones to be sure of good quality holes. These bits work great and are cheap enough that the number of holes capable of being drilled - to me- is not a great concern.

hllywd · #**774** 08/23/2007, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fillibar
How much glass will the Richon drill? I am now estimating the lau bit I had to be ~1 inch of glass (it drilled 2 holes through 1/2") but could not complete a 3rd.

I've drilled close to 20 holes with the Richon Tools saw and still going strong... Can't imagine how you'd use one up with three holes.

Tim

hamdogg08 · #**775** 08/23/2007, 10:52 AM

Has anyone used antifreeze as a lubricant/heat sink?