Step-by-Step: Drilling Holes in Your Glass Tank for Bulkheads - Page 30

AquaDiva · 05/07/2007, 08:34 AM

HaHaHa

Ok when it stops cutting I'll toss it.

I just didn't want the last guy to bust his tank because I should have known I could only get 5 holes from these cheap bits.

Thanks for the info, BigSkyBart.

tor101898 · 05/07/2007, 08:36 AM

you'll know when the bit takes longer to go through and the sharpness on the bit has worn.

Rosseau · 05/08/2007, 02:24 PM

Thanks for this thread.. though I only read the first page. Buying a diamond drill bit made this job a breeze! This bit better last.. it costs more than my drill (mind you my drill was $20).

jcm1229 · 05/08/2007, 09:03 PM

Ordered my bits last Wednesday. 5/2 Arrived today 5/8. Six days turnaround from Hong Kong is pretty good!

LuisC · 05/14/2007, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JustOneMoreTank
About $3.50 each is a great deal and only $20.00 for the set. Check out the prices for a similar sized set here:
http://www.diamond-drill-bit-and-too...Drill/MAIN.htm
Try $291.00 !!!!
On the above posted link there is lots of useful information about using these diamond coated hole saws to cut glass aquariums as well as maintaining the bits and cutting other materials. This link should be a mandatory read for anyone cutting glass tanks.

Thanks I just ordered me a set

.

JustOneMoreTank · 05/14/2007, 07:36 PM

No problem everyone!

Glad to see so many are still finding this useful.

maxwell1295 · 05/22/2007, 02:22 PM

Yep, drilled 4 holes in a 125g a few weeks back. Worked like a charm and probably saved me a LOT of $$$$$. Thanks!

jcm1229 · 05/22/2007, 02:30 PM

I'm going to drill a tank shortly. This thread talks about using water. My local guy that has drilled my tank in the past has used vegetable oil. Is there a preference to one over the other?

JustOneMoreTank · 05/22/2007, 03:27 PM

Veggie oil would be messy and a pain in the #%@ to clean up after you were done. Also I would guess that the spinning drill bit would really sling it all over the place???
The water works really really well and I never had a problem using water. I would recommend using water first. Then feel the water for yourself and see how hot it gets. Not at all hot. Not even really warm I dont think.
Good luck and have fun.

jtesdall · 05/22/2007, 04:22 PM

Wow, a two year thread. Awesome!

So I don't have to read all thirty pages .... is a label saying the glass is tempered the only way to tell? If it is tempered, are you just out of luck?

Also, does anyone know of a good thread or article that helps in sizing and placing holes?

bleedingthought · 05/22/2007, 07:49 PM

Best way about finding out tempered sides is calling manufacturer. Polarized sunglasses work sometimes too.

As far as sizing holes, consult the list/store you're getting the bulkheads from. I would personally stay 3" away from edges and about 5-7" between holes.

jest · 05/22/2007, 11:28 PM

Great thread !!
30 pages and no cracked glass ..a definite confidence booster .....
i'm off to ebay to order some bits

jtesdall · 05/23/2007, 07:18 AM

Tell us what you find. I saw some good deals on there, but I am trying to figure out what size to buy for the over flows on a 55 and a 90.

I am also trying to figure out where to get the plastic (acrylic) overflow plates (grates) for inside the tank. Is it best just to make them, or do they sell them?

dtaranath · 05/23/2007, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jtesdall
Tell us what you find. I saw some good deals on there, but I am trying to figure out what size to buy for the over flows on a 55 and a 90.

I am also trying to figure out where to get the plastic (acrylic) overflow plates (grates) for inside the tank. Is it best just to make them, or do they sell them?

Look in the yellow pages under glass manufacturing. There's probably one in your area. They sell acrylic plates also.

dnahas · 06/05/2007, 01:38 PM

Just my .02, for most production machining that requires cooling and/or lubrication (lathing/drilling) a mixture of 5% oil and 95% water is most common.

fillibar · 06/12/2007, 06:45 PM

It is this thread that has prompted me to drill my 210... All drained and cleaned now, just looking for a day when I will have a chance to take my time. I am planning 3 - 2" and 4 - 1" holes at this point (all in the back panel, there is no way I am chancing the bottom being tempered).

bleedingthought · 06/12/2007, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fillibar
It is this thread that has prompted me to drill my 210... All drained and cleaned now, just looking for a day when I will have a chance to take my time. I am planning 3 - 2" and 4 - 1" holes at this point (all in the back panel, there is no way I am chancing the bottom being tempered).

Hey, I'm drilling 2 - 2" and 4 - 1" holes on the back of my 210G.

Don't tell me you're using a oceans motions unit on it for a closed loop?

P.S. If it's an AGA, the bottom is tempered.

customcolor · 06/13/2007, 09:40 AM

well i did the cheep thing and i got the bits and the bulkheads from the same guy on ebay saltydepot plus i bought them on thurs and got them on mon. i think that was blazzing fast. i realy dont think he has them shipped from hong kong.

customcolor · 06/13/2007, 09:44 AM

by the way i spent $63 for 4 1"bulk heads 1 drill bit for them 2 1.5" bulk heads plus bit for them and dont for get the shipping.

TNTREEF · 06/13/2007, 01:18 PM

Can I drill five 1-3/4" holes in the back of my AGA 120. I want to put one hole in each corner. Two up top between the overflows and then one down below those two for suction for a closed loop. All of these will be on the back pane.

So what do you guys think?

jsshark1 · 06/13/2007, 03:48 PM

I have been reading this thread for days, I will agree that the drill on eBay takes no time to arrive

I will be drilling my 90 tall tonight 2 x 1" for close loop and 2 x 3/4 for my sump return.

Thanks guys

dtaranath · 06/13/2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TNTREEF
Can I drill five 1-3/4" holes in the back of my AGA 120. I want to put one hole in each corner. Two up top between the overflows and then one down below those two for suction for a closed loop. All of these will be on the back pane.

So what do you guys think?

That should be fine; you should not have any problems. I have 6 holes in the back of my AGA 90.

fillibar · 06/13/2007, 05:11 PM

No idea who made it, I bought it used (from someone who got it from a buddy...). It has no labels of any kind and no identifying marks.

No OM planned at this time. My main idea was a 2" intake feeding a Dart for a closed loop (the 4 - 1") and the other 2" acting as an intake for the sump which would feed back to a spray-bar-esque thing coming out of the third 2". I though about having more holes to bring the sump water back, but it just seemed like too many.

jsshark1 · 06/13/2007, 09:39 PM

wow

one hour later and 5 hole are done

small chips but nothing that wont be covered with the bulk head.

thanks for every ones input on this thread, it was a peace of cake

GoldStripe · 06/14/2007, 04:59 AM

1 hour = 5 holes? Holy crap! You must have been wide open on the drill! I didn't have the you know whats to go that quick when I did mine (way back in this thread). I took about an hour per hole on my 150 and switched bits just in case. My glass is 1/2", what was yours? No matter how thick, that's still really quick. Good job for not breaking it!!

05/07/2007, 08:34 AM	#726
AquaDiva Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 273	HaHaHa Ok when it stops cutting I'll toss it. I just didn't want the last guy to bust his tank because I should have known I could only get 5 holes from these cheap bits. Thanks for the info, BigSkyBart. __________________ Linda Current Tank Info: 75 RR LPS, 30gal refugium, 50gal sump, 2x175 MHs,2x110w actinics, ASM G4

05/07/2007, 08:36 AM	#727
tor101898 Plankton27 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Staten Island,NEW YORK Posts: 582	you'll know when the bit takes longer to go through and the sharpness on the bit has worn. __________________ Alex "The sea is everything... An emmense reservoir of nature where i roam at will...." CAPT. NEMO Current Tank Info: Marineland DD 200 gallon, custom built stand 50"L X 38"W X 33"H,I-tech 400 skimmer with tunze 9410 and 9420 pumps, custom made MRC sump, Two Vortech Mp40w.

05/08/2007, 02:24 PM	#728
Rosseau Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Kingston, Ontario Posts: 2,049	Thanks for this thread.. though I only read the first page. Buying a diamond drill bit made this job a breeze! This bit better last.. it costs more than my drill (mind you my drill was $20). __________________ Still fighting entropy.

05/22/2007, 04:22 PM	#735
jtesdall Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boone, Iowa Posts: 763	Wow, a two year thread. Awesome! So I don't have to read all thirty pages .... is a label saying the glass is tempered the only way to tell? If it is tempered, are you just out of luck? Also, does anyone know of a good thread or article that helps in sizing and placing holes? __________________ Joel Tesdall GIRS Vice President Current Tank Info: 90 Reef, 240 Agressive, 55, Prop, 55 Discus, 55 Angel/mixed

05/22/2007, 07:49 PM	#736
bleedingthought Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Acworth, GA Posts: 422	Best way about finding out tempered sides is calling manufacturer. Polarized sunglasses work sometimes too. As far as sizing holes, consult the list/store you're getting the bulkheads from. I would personally stay 3" away from edges and about 5-7" between holes. __________________ -Thiago-

05/08/2007, 09:03 PM	#729
jcm1229 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Park Ridge, IL Posts: 1,780	Ordered my bits last Wednesday. 5/2 Arrived today 5/8. Six days turnaround from Hong Kong is pretty good!

05/14/2007, 07:36 PM	#731
JustOneMoreTank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 967	No problem everyone! Glad to see so many are still finding this useful.

05/22/2007, 02:22 PM	#732
maxwell1295 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 12	Yep, drilled 4 holes in a 125g a few weeks back. Worked like a charm and probably saved me a LOT of $$$$$. Thanks!

05/22/2007, 02:30 PM	#733
jcm1229 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Park Ridge, IL Posts: 1,780	I'm going to drill a tank shortly. This thread talks about using water. My local guy that has drilled my tank in the past has used vegetable oil. Is there a preference to one over the other?

05/22/2007, 03:27 PM	#734
JustOneMoreTank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 967	Veggie oil would be messy and a pain in the #%@ to clean up after you were done. Also I would guess that the spinning drill bit would really sling it all over the place??? The water works really really well and I never had a problem using water. I would recommend using water first. Then feel the water for yourself and see how hot it gets. Not at all hot. Not even really warm I dont think. Good luck and have fun.

05/22/2007, 11:28 PM	#737
jest Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Miami,FL. Posts: 63	Great thread !! 30 pages and no cracked glass ..a definite confidence booster ..... i'm off to ebay to order some bits __________________ MarK Current Tank Info: 36x24x24

05/23/2007, 07:18 AM	#738
jtesdall Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boone, Iowa Posts: 763	Tell us what you find. I saw some good deals on there, but I am trying to figure out what size to buy for the over flows on a 55 and a 90. I am also trying to figure out where to get the plastic (acrylic) overflow plates (grates) for inside the tank. Is it best just to make them, or do they sell them? __________________ Joel Tesdall GIRS Vice President Current Tank Info: 90 Reef, 240 Agressive, 55, Prop, 55 Discus, 55 Angel/mixed

06/05/2007, 01:38 PM	#740
dnahas Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 147	Just my .02, for most production machining that requires cooling and/or lubrication (lathing/drilling) a mixture of 5% oil and 95% water is most common.

06/12/2007, 06:45 PM	#741
fillibar Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Webster, NY Posts: 334	It is this thread that has prompted me to drill my 210... All drained and cleaned now, just looking for a day when I will have a chance to take my time. I am planning 3 - 2" and 4 - 1" holes at this point (all in the back panel, there is no way I am chancing the bottom being tempered).

06/13/2007, 09:40 AM	#743
customcolor Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: kaukauna, wi. Posts: 3,879	well i did the cheep thing and i got the bits and the bulkheads from the same guy on ebay saltydepot plus i bought them on thurs and got them on mon. i think that was blazzing fast. i realy dont think he has them shipped from hong kong.

06/13/2007, 09:44 AM	#744
customcolor Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: kaukauna, wi. Posts: 3,879	by the way i spent $63 for 4 1"bulk heads 1 drill bit for them 2 1.5" bulk heads plus bit for them and dont for get the shipping. __________________ PLEASE DONT USE GREAT STUFF (THE YELLOW STUFF) IN YOUR TANK........USE POND FOAM (THE BLACK STUFF).. I BEG YOU! Great stuff====$5 a can 24-48 hour cure Epoxy to cover it====little as $5 for small projects or up to $100+ for larger projects and another 24-48 hour cure I hope you covered it well cuz if you didnt it will start to break down in a few months sand is another added cost to cover up the yellow. Pond foams====$9-$15 a can 24-48 hour cure DONE! You can cover it with sand if you want to (YOU DONT HAVE TO) though but thats added cost again Current Tank Info: 75 gal under way

06/13/2007, 01:18 PM	#745
TNTREEF Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 533	Can I drill five 1-3/4" holes in the back of my AGA 120. I want to put one hole in each corner. Two up top between the overflows and then one down below those two for suction for a closed loop. All of these will be on the back pane. So what do you guys think? __________________ Troy Current Tank Info: 120 AGA , 2x250watt Phoenix 14K and 220 watts of VHO, 29gal sump/fuge, G-3 protien skimmer, SPS dominate mixed Reef

06/13/2007, 03:48 PM	#746
jsshark1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 103	got my drills last night I have been reading this thread for days, I will agree that the drill on eBay takes no time to arrive I will be drilling my 90 tall tonight 2 x 1" for close loop and 2 x 3/4 for my sump return. Thanks guys

06/13/2007, 05:11 PM	#748
fillibar Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Webster, NY Posts: 334	No idea who made it, I bought it used (from someone who got it from a buddy...). It has no labels of any kind and no identifying marks. No OM planned at this time. My main idea was a 2" intake feeding a Dart for a closed loop (the 4 - 1") and the other 2" acting as an intake for the sump which would feed back to a spray-bar-esque thing coming out of the third 2". I though about having more holes to bring the sump water back, but it just seemed like too many.

06/13/2007, 09:39 PM	#749
jsshark1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 103	wow one hour later and 5 hole are done small chips but nothing that wont be covered with the bulk head. thanks for every ones input on this thread, it was a peace of cake

06/14/2007, 04:59 AM	#750
GoldStripe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jville, FL Posts: 1,136	1 hour = 5 holes? Holy crap! You must have been wide open on the drill! I didn't have the you know whats to go that quick when I did mine (way back in this thread). I took about an hour per hole on my 150 and switched bits just in case. My glass is 1/2", what was yours? No matter how thick, that's still really quick. Good job for not breaking it!!