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View Full Version : New Project: Tank Drilling w/ Pics

funman1
02/02/2007, 06:23 PM
Well here is my latest tank drilling.
I got a cheapo 10G glass for a fuge on my tank and wanted to install a bulkhead so it will over flow back into the sump.

First I drilled a center hole. (Should have used water on that, the bit got very hot)
http://www.steveries.com/tank/sump/1.jpg

Then drilled outward and around.
http://www.steveries.com/tank/sump/2.jpg



Then all the way around so it droped out.
http://www.steveries.com/tank/sump/3.jpg



Slipped bulk head in.
http://www.steveries.com/tank/sump/4.jpg


Just tightening bulkhead to make a seal and, CRACK!!!!!
http://www.steveries.com/tank/sump/5.jpg




You can see the crack at the very top of the tank. I may still use it beacuse water will never be up that high. I may try again too cause the tanks are so cheap.
That's why they are so hard to drill because the glass is so THIN and so CHEAP, it just took tightening the head to crack it
:(

But over all drilling was not as bad as I had thought.
The drilling was fine and very easy, it's the head install that got me.
With a thicker glass this would be a cake walk
edsimmons
02/02/2007, 06:45 PM
right on Steve,

what kind of bit are you useing?how much dose it cost?how long did it take to cut that hole?Did you tighten the BH hand tight or did you use a pliers?

Thanks for any info,

Ed S
funman1
02/02/2007, 06:53 PM
Just a diamond bit on a dremel $5.99.
Took about 10 mins.

The BH was hand tight but I really tried to crank down on it to make sure it was tight. Aparently I'm too strong
:)

Did you have something you wanted drilled?
I've got the tools, if you want to come on down.
juaninsac
02/03/2007, 11:34 AM
As you may have figured out there's no need to drill the center hole. It's a waste of time. Just start on the outside!

Next time you may want to drill the hole further from the edge, then install an elbow inside the tank that puts the water level where you want it while still doing the surface skimming thing. Having said that it shouldn't have cracked. Cheapo tank!
palileo
02/03/2007, 12:51 PM
i've also heard you can put a layer of duct tape on the surface before you start drilling. you'll get cleaner edges around the hole. a trick someone told me from drilling ceramic tile.
maxdout
02/03/2007, 02:22 PM
wow interesting... i was looking at drilling my cheapo 10gallon too. maybe i can bring it over and we can try it ;) if it cracks, o well.
juaninsac
02/03/2007, 03:23 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9149774#post9149774 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by palileo
i've also heard you can put a layer of duct tape on the surface before you start drilling. you'll get cleaner edges around the hole. a trick someone told me from drilling ceramic tile.

Huh. I'll have to try that next time. I would have thought it would just gum up the bit.
Reefugee
02/03/2007, 10:34 PM
Funny you should mention that. I use painter's tape when cutting plywood. It gives it a clean cut. Intead of duct tape - I would probably use painter's tape because it has less glue to get stuck to the bit.

Minh

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9149774#post9149774 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by palileo
i've also heard you can put a layer of duct tape on the surface before you start drilling. you'll get cleaner edges around the hole. a trick someone told me from drilling ceramic tile.
sacfishguy
02/06/2007, 06:29 PM
to help support the hole i used 2 pieces of acrylic (one on each side) then used silicon to glue the pieces together. just what worked for me. good luck