sailfintang
11/11/2007, 01:01 PM
Here are the instructions on how to drill any type of drain hole into your own aquarium for over flow purpose or if you builiding a breeder sytem or even a coral propagation setup with multiple tanks.
Here are some important things to remember:
1. You can not drill TEMPERED GLASS aquariums!!
2. Contact the manufacturere of the aquarium to get a list of aquariums that have tempered glass and ones that don't. I know AGA will assist you with this just
contact the customer service department.
3. You will need a diamond drill bit and drill. I recommend the website below for ordering a diamond drill bit mine works wonderfully.
http://www.diamond-drill-bit-and-tool.com/Diamond-Drill/Default.htm?main_rt.htm
4. Wear protective eyewear
Equipment needed;
1. Diamond drill bit
2. Drill
3. Protective eyewear
4. Tank
5. 2 pieces of wood
6. Water
7. Mold for drilling
Instructions to drill bottom:
1. Place the tank on top of the two wood boards so the glass can fall from the tank and your bit does not drill into anything other than glass.
2. Fill the tank with about and inch to two inches of water. This will help keep the diamond bit from overheating when drilling the glass.
3. Place a already drilled mold in to your tank where you want to drill your drain hole. I like to use a pice of wood that I have drilled a round hole in large enough for my diamond bit to fit through so it will not move when drilling comenses.
4. Begin drilling slowly at first to establish a groove then stadily increase. If you here a screeching noise that is normal. Do not push down on the drill that could cause cracking, allow the bit to do the work. Do not ever allow the drill to go max speed or cracking may occur. Slow and steady wins the race here.
5. The glass should fall out from the bottom followed by the water. Once this occurs stop drilling and check the hole. It may appear a bit rough. If so use some sand paper to smooth out any sharp areas. You can now apply bulkheads or other PVC fittings you desire.
Instructions to drill the sides:
1. You will need to stand the aquarium upright and drill form the outside to the inside.
2. Trace an outline of the bit where you want to drill your hole with a sharpie or other marker. Dont worry if its permenant you can remove it with a razor blade from the glass.
3. You will need some modeling clay or another type of material to create a moat around your outline/drill bit to fill with water to prevent over heating of the bit.
4. Begin drilling slowly at first to establish a groove then stadily increase. If you here a screeching noise that is normal. Do not push down on the drill that could cause cracking, allow the bit to do the work. Do not ever allow the drill to go max speed or cracking may occur. Slow and steady wins the race here.
5. Read step 5 above.
Remember to use the correct size diamond bit for bulkhead fittings or you may end up with a drilled tank that you can't use. Below is a size chart regarding bulkhead fittings and the hole size needed for that fitting.
Bulkhead Hole Diameter
1/2" 1-1/8"
3/4" 1-1/2"
1" 1-3/4"
Example: If you want a 1/2' hole you will need a 1-1/8' diamond bit and so on.
Its always best to practice on a cheap 10 or 20 gallon aquarium before trying this on a more expensive one. You can then add accessories like your own over flow box, drain pipe, and return pipes. Enjoy best of luck.
Here are some important things to remember:
1. You can not drill TEMPERED GLASS aquariums!!
2. Contact the manufacturere of the aquarium to get a list of aquariums that have tempered glass and ones that don't. I know AGA will assist you with this just
contact the customer service department.
3. You will need a diamond drill bit and drill. I recommend the website below for ordering a diamond drill bit mine works wonderfully.
http://www.diamond-drill-bit-and-tool.com/Diamond-Drill/Default.htm?main_rt.htm
4. Wear protective eyewear
Equipment needed;
1. Diamond drill bit
2. Drill
3. Protective eyewear
4. Tank
5. 2 pieces of wood
6. Water
7. Mold for drilling
Instructions to drill bottom:
1. Place the tank on top of the two wood boards so the glass can fall from the tank and your bit does not drill into anything other than glass.
2. Fill the tank with about and inch to two inches of water. This will help keep the diamond bit from overheating when drilling the glass.
3. Place a already drilled mold in to your tank where you want to drill your drain hole. I like to use a pice of wood that I have drilled a round hole in large enough for my diamond bit to fit through so it will not move when drilling comenses.
4. Begin drilling slowly at first to establish a groove then stadily increase. If you here a screeching noise that is normal. Do not push down on the drill that could cause cracking, allow the bit to do the work. Do not ever allow the drill to go max speed or cracking may occur. Slow and steady wins the race here.
5. The glass should fall out from the bottom followed by the water. Once this occurs stop drilling and check the hole. It may appear a bit rough. If so use some sand paper to smooth out any sharp areas. You can now apply bulkheads or other PVC fittings you desire.
Instructions to drill the sides:
1. You will need to stand the aquarium upright and drill form the outside to the inside.
2. Trace an outline of the bit where you want to drill your hole with a sharpie or other marker. Dont worry if its permenant you can remove it with a razor blade from the glass.
3. You will need some modeling clay or another type of material to create a moat around your outline/drill bit to fill with water to prevent over heating of the bit.
4. Begin drilling slowly at first to establish a groove then stadily increase. If you here a screeching noise that is normal. Do not push down on the drill that could cause cracking, allow the bit to do the work. Do not ever allow the drill to go max speed or cracking may occur. Slow and steady wins the race here.
5. Read step 5 above.
Remember to use the correct size diamond bit for bulkhead fittings or you may end up with a drilled tank that you can't use. Below is a size chart regarding bulkhead fittings and the hole size needed for that fitting.
Bulkhead Hole Diameter
1/2" 1-1/8"
3/4" 1-1/2"
1" 1-3/4"
Example: If you want a 1/2' hole you will need a 1-1/8' diamond bit and so on.
Its always best to practice on a cheap 10 or 20 gallon aquarium before trying this on a more expensive one. You can then add accessories like your own over flow box, drain pipe, and return pipes. Enjoy best of luck.