cost of drilling a hole in glass tank

[leo]

I ask a local glass shop if they drilled holes in aquariums. They would do it, but no guarentee; if the tank breaks, tough. I said OK and brought in my tank. I asked how much, and the guy said "I think it's about $10". Another employee in the shop chimed in "No, it's more like $20". Hmmm... Finally, a third employee states "No, it's more like $25, isn't it?" While I looked at them waiting for a solid answer, the third man started telling me why it cost so much. I told them I had to think about and left with my tank (20 gallon high). So, how much does a hole cost?

[Fonchy]

20 sounds about right 25 is a little too steep but some people charge that, try to talk them out to 15 but 20 is a good average

[dsb1829]

Most glass shops will charge $20-25 and no gaurantee. They break it and it is your problem.

[MiddletonMark]

Yep, $20 seems standard, for the few places that do it here. Not that many places will do it here ... and nowhere with any kind of guarantee.

[nekbyter]

$15 a hole and no guarantee, thats the going rate in my area

[leo]

Thanks for the replies! I guess I'll go ahead with it. It just seemed to me that if another employee walked into the front office, I would be paying $30 or more.:) I knew the "no guarentee part, and I'm OK with that.

Wait. I just read the thread about drilling a tank with a dremel. I might try that!

[sls]

The dremel is the best way to drill a tank it works great. ive done it many times with no problem. Just get a couple of the bits. i think their like 4.50 each but the go quick if they get too hot.

[jsilver]

Just (this sunday) had 3 holes drilled into my 72 gallon, and they were $20 a piece. No guarantees, of course!! :)

[singularity]

My local glass shop quoted $20 a hole, but I talked him down to $15/hole.

Did a decent job.

[rsman]

I have found a single sand blasting place that both did the job & warantied the work, the problems were

if it was tempered, it wasnt i said so but they gave a big line about how you never know ..... the waranty would be void

and they only wanted $120 a hole :)

I was in a bind and needed it done so paid the $ ive got both the dremel sized bits and a real glass hole saw, ive used sence, and will use again if the need arises.

[prop-frags]

My LFS charged me $10 per hole.

[Toutouche]

My main tank is built by a custom tank builder and he will drill tanks I've brought him for sumps, fuges, etc for $20 a hole with guarantee to repair it if he cracks it. Never broke anything yet though, and I've even brought him about 5 other people to have holes done with no problems.

[kc20164]

Hey guys I have not even given drilling a thought, instead I thought I would hang everything off the tank. I think now ive changed my mind and would prefer to have hole(s)drilled even with no guarantee. Can someone tell me a standard size to have drilled? Sorry for sounding like such a novice, b ut I am FOR NOW :)

Ken

[jsilver]

I'd say far and away, the most popular size bulkhead is 1" This usually requires a 1 3/4" hole to be drilled. On a small enough tank, you may want 3/4" bulkheads, which require 1.5" holes, but 1" bulkheads are probably the standard.