Am I Screwed? (see picture)

[stormrider27]

I drilled six holes in the back of my 125G tank (72"L x 18"D x 22"H) to install an external BeanAnimal overflow. I followed BRS instructions to a the letter but three of my holes have chips (see picture) on the perimeters of the holes. These holes will NOT have bulkheads so I am not worried about leaking but I am worried that I severely damaged the strength of the glass and a flood is in my future.

Am I screwed or will I be okay ?

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/pi...ictureid=43178



Thanks,
Mark

[nine8taco]

Link not working. If they are very small yôu are probably good. What's the glass thickness?

[stormrider27]

Originally Posted by nine8taco

Link not working. If they are very small yôu are probably good. What's the glass thickness?

Thanks I just noticed and fixed the link. The glass is 3/8" or 9.525mm thick

[sfsuphysics]

I think you'll be fine, chips are not really something to worry about too much. Cracks however are worrisome because the crack will continue through a tank... although there are ways around that too.

[armygreen11]

I wouldn't sweat it.

[pakirri]

I think ur fine

[Meanmike]

My 40 breeder looks like that and has been fine for a few Weeks now with bulk heads as well.

[lighthouze08]

you are fine, i've drilled many holes like that and none has given me any problems

[kriv4o]

My 40b looks similar to this and it's been up and running for 7 months without issues.

[rrasco]

I'm of the opinion it's extremely hard to NOT chip the glass on the backside. As you get closer to completing the hole, the thin later of glass left has to give at some point and odds are it will not come clean as you want it to. Nearly all of the holes I've ever drilled had some degree of chipping. You can minimize chipping by taping off the backside of the hole with masking tape (this also prevent the cutout from falling) and not pushing on the drill, let the weight of the drill carry through the glass.

[Airywhitesoul]

So long as the bulkhead flange extends beyond it, you'll be fine. Make sure you use silicone grease for sealant.

[jimmyj7090]

Originally Posted by Airywhitesoul

So long as the bulkhead flange extends beyond it, you'll be fine. Make sure you use silicone grease for sealant.

No, do not use anything on the bulkhead/gasket. A properly installed bulkhead needs no sealant, but adding sealant can cause problems.

[armygreen11]

Originally Posted by jimmyj7090

No, do not use anything on the bulkhead/gasket. A properly installed bulkhead needs no sealant, but adding sealant can cause problems.

What he said. I just took apart a tank that I bought on craigslist, and there was silicone grease all over everything and there was lots of evidence of prior leaks. What a mess. Just make sure that both sides of the glass are clean, and don't over-torque the nut. I'd say hand snug plus 45 degrees... maybe... And don't use pipe tape or sealant on the external threads of the bulkhead. The nut isn't a seal nor are the threads tapered pipe threads.

[littlec984]

u should be GTG

[00Warpig00]

With the holes so high in the tank I wouldnt worry myself.
I would imagine that chipping could be eliminated while drilling if you drilled into another piece of similar glass sandwiched on the back surface when drilling through.

Nick

[matgvr]

Originally Posted by jimmyj7090

No, do not use anything on the bulkhead/gasket. A properly installed bulkhead needs no sealant, but adding sealant can cause problems.

Gaskets are made for smooth surfaces not large cavities caused by chips, You may need a sealant in this case

[Ronic]

The chips look like they are on the outside of the tank, the gasket will go on the inside of the tank and have the smooth side to seal. But you are not going install them so no worries about the chips.

[elFloyd]

You should be ok with or without a bulkhead. Chips are ok and will not usually turn into cracks.

[hollister]

If its at the top i think you would be fine. Either way i would fill and let sit a week or so to test it.

[bongarone]

Originally Posted by 00Warpig00

I would imagine that chipping could be eliminated while drilling if you drilled into another piece of similar glass sandwiched on the back surface when drilling through.

For sure. Sacrificial backer boards are commonly used in woodworking to prevent splintering.

I really don't know why this technique isn't more commonplace in DIY drilling of tanks. Small pieces of glass are cheap. Tanks are not.

[SpinyReef]

All hole chip to some extent. Unless the chip is really deep, you should be fine; a 2mm chip in a 15mm tank is nothing to worry about, but I would think twice about it if it were a 6mm tank.

Why no bulkhead?

[rrasco]

Originally Posted by armygreen11

I'd say hand snug plus 45 degrees... maybe... And don't use pipe tape or sealant on the external threads of the bulkhead. The nut isn't a seal nor are the threads tapered pipe threads.

Teflon is also a lubricant, it can make the nut easier to take off should the time ever come.

[stormrider27]

Thank you everyone for your opinions and advice. I can now rest easier and get back to my build; I will be posting build thread soon.

Thanks again!

[dan-in-gr]

No Worries, I did the same thing to bulkhead in my 120, it will not leak or crack further, mine has been like that for 7 months and will be like that for ever. I knew how to drill it correctly, but did it quick and dirty and chipped it, no biggy.