Drilling Glass

[MCJFJ]

Does anyone know anything about how to drill glass for a sump?
What kind of tools and any special techniques to drill holes.

[billsreef]

You'll need a glass drill bit the right size for the bulkhead fittings your using.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=840246

Lot's of water to lubricate the bit. Be sure it's not tempered glass. A good drill, better yet a drill press. Plenty of patience and no interuptions. Also practice on some scrap glass first ;)

[pyro383]

don't forget a dremel will work also, check out the diy forum, there are a few threads there. I drilled with a dremel a 180g (2x 1.5 holes), 75g & 15g

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d64/pyro383/087.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d64/pyro383/060.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d64/pyro383/061.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d64/pyro383/062.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d64/pyro383/063.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d64/pyro383/064.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d64/pyro383/069.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d64/pyro383/072.jpg

[Pets Warehouse NY]

Several stores can do it for you also.

[fio1022]

Oh,and don't forget.
Make sure it's NOT tempered


http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/60158First_Attempt.jpg
:rolleyes:

[puckbs]

wow, i didn't know they tempered the sides of the 55's, i just thought it was the bottom....

[puckbs]

.

[shyland83]

i drilled my 29g with a dremel and a craftsman diamond bit (about $9) with the fish still in the tank. go slow, spray a lot of water on it.

[bcarl]

Glad to see someone else just recently asking this. I would like to attempt drilling on a 20 gallon tank (for a sump) ... but, I am not sure if it's tempered or not? There are no stickers / warnings indicating, but someone at a LFS told me that most tanks are tempered. Anyone know of any way to tell if the sides are tempered or not?

[shyland83]

I don't know of any way of telling if it's tempered other than drill and pray. But most tanks have tempered bottoms and the sides aren't. If it's only a 20g you might wanna just try it or buy a new one thats definatly not tempered.

[bcarl]

Thanks.
Guess the thing that threw me, was that in looking at tanks in the LFS, I don't see them marked as tempered or non ... guess if there is no sure way of knowing based off appearance or anything, I'll have to give it a shot and see what happens ..

[puckbs]

they're only marked if they ARE tempered.....if its fairly new, chances are its not tempered...if its aga, aga has a page on their site www.all-glass.com that says which tanks have tempered bottoms, its a bit tricky to find but its there. There is a tile bit made by rotozip that has worked very well for me from 10g tanks to 40g tanks....

[bcarl]

Thanks puckbs. You're right ... it took a bit to find on AGA's site, but found it... only mentions the bottoms being tempered or not ... and neither 20 gallon options are. So, it sounds as though the sides (especially on smaller tanks) generally are not tempered, just the bottoms? I'm looking to use as part of a sump set up, so looking to drill the upper part of a side for a bulk head to drain in to a secondary sump before pumping back to the display tank. I think I'm going to give drilling this a shot in the next day or so and see what happens (need to pick up a bit first) ... thanks for the replies!!