Any glass pros out there?

[flasher1]

I am looking to drill a couple of holes in a 125 and a 65 I just bought and have a couple of questions.

Is there any way to tell tempered glass from untempered glass?

Is it possible to drill tempered glass?

If the bottom panel is for sure tempered glass, does that mean the whole tank is tempered?

Thanks

Mike

[thor32766]

I have heard great things about oviedo glass doing drilling and they shouldnt be far from where you live mike.

[tangers]

I got my tanks drilled by Guy's glass in Oviedo, great guy!

[jay24k]

You can check tempered glass with polarized lens. Otherwise there is only one way to test.

[AquaKnight407]

Lemme know where/when you get it done, I have a 29 that needs drilled too...

[lifesworksataol]

usually only the bottom is tempered on most tanks. the glass company might be able to tell you. iam pretty sure you can not drill tempered glass.

[jay24k]

You can drill tempered glass, but it will shatter . It's quite loud from what I hear.

[AquaKnight407]

Yep....

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8uigdnhUsns

[jade2122]

generally how much does it cost to get a tank drilled? i have a 30 gallon that i might want to drill for an external pump..

[jay24k]

Most glass shops will do it for 30 to 50. I'd call around. Most won't guarentee their work so if shatters, you are SOL. But generally that doesn't happen.

[cur10u5g30rg3]

You can buy the bits on ebay for less than 10 bucks each shipped. They are good for 6 to 8 holes and come with some pretty detailed directions as well. I did several holes recently on a 75 and my sump. It is quite easy. To tell if it is tempered take a piece of polarized glass on either side and you will sea patterns if it is tempered.

[mrcrab]

Originally posted by jay24k
Most glass shops will do it for 30 to 50. I'd call around. Most won't guarentee their work so if shatters, you are SOL. But generally that doesn't happen.

The LFS' that do it will only charge you $10-$15 a hole.

[jamcdougall]

$30-$50.00????? and no responsibility if it cracks?????
Pick a weekend I live in Kissimmee..We can give it a shot for a couple bergers and a soft drink.
I have two different size bits and a brace for drilling..
I have been pretty successful over the years.
Give me a call 407-4141526..or email me..reefkpr@earthlink.net
They just temper the bottoms so to be safe you can drill the side.
At any rate give me a holler if you like ....Mac

[jamcdougall]

$30-$50.00????? and no responsibility if it cracks?????
Pick a weekend I live in Kissimmee..We can give it a shot for a couple bergers and a soft drink.
I have two different size bits and a brace for drilling..
I have been pretty successful over the years.
Give me a call 407-4141526..or email me..reefkpr@earthlink.net
They just temper the bottoms so to be safe you can drill the side.
At any rate give me a holler if you like ....Mac

[reeladdictive]

i took my 50 gallon tank to get drilled and it said it was tempered on bottom and had the sides drilled an it shattered they cut me a new peice of glass and i had to glue it in

[snake33015]

no glass company would take responsibility for any product they are not providing where i work we wouldnt even trouble ourselves with that kind of job
nothing personal just a fact
50 $ is not worth the liability of breaking A tank
that all said its usually the bottom that is tempered for strength
the sides should be relatively easy to drill
just go slow and use lots of water

[jamcdougall]

What I do is pick the spot and make a circle with plumbers putty
about a 1/2" deep and fill it with water... You should have at least 2" from any edge of the glass......
I have a portable drill press with suction cups that holds the drill....(Picked it up at Sears)....As you said very slowly and once you start drilling DO NOT REMOVE THE BIT FROM THE HOLE!
It takes about 3 minutes a hole.
FYI....The holes are pre drilled in temperd glass B-4 it is tempered...
Good Luck....Mac