Step-by-Step: Drilling Holes in Your Glass Tank for Bulkheads - Page 27

Haffs09 · 04/03/2007, 10:34 AM

I recently drilled a 10gal twice with a 19.2V cordless drill and didn't have any problems. I just took my time and let the weight of the drill do all the work. Oh yeah, I drilled 45mm holes.

johno4 · 04/03/2007, 10:42 AM

I used the same method to drill (using the weight of the drill), any pressure on the plumbing and the glass cracks.

Haffs09 · 04/03/2007, 01:53 PM

What do you mean when you say, "Any pressure on the plumbing and the glass cracks?"

Do you crack the glass when you are tightening up the bulk heads?

NoCarrier · 04/03/2007, 02:47 PM

I think he means that once you have the bulkhead and pvc installed, any sort of torque on the plumbing would cause the glass to break.

johno4 · 04/03/2007, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NoCarrier
I think he means that once you have the bulkhead and pvc installed, any sort of torque on the plumbing would cause the glass to break.

yep, thats what I mean. Does this happen to anyone else?

Haffs09 · 04/03/2007, 03:38 PM

Ahh...I see. Fortunately, that didn't happen to me. Maybe you're overtightening the BH?

muelpaul · 04/04/2007, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Haffs09
Ahh...I see. Fortunately, that didn't happen to me. Maybe you're overtightening the BH?

Hi Haffs09, do you happen to have a picture of the placement of the bulk head(s) in the 10gal sump?

On another note; to anyone, where should I place a bulk head for a drain line?
In the middle of the waterline or below? I would like some surface skimming but still want a high flow rate.

Haffs09 · 04/04/2007, 10:08 AM

Muelpaul...I don't have a picture, but I drilled the holes right below the top tank trim, with just enough clearance so the bulkhead nut won't hit the trim. I think I was also about 1.5" from the corner of the tank. The 10gal is serving as a fuge on a 90gal tank. Part of the overflow from the display tank is directed to the fuge. The fuge is on a little stand so that it can overflow into a 20H sump. I hope that helps.

DouglasTiede · 04/04/2007, 10:20 AM

So where is a place to get good bulkheads? or are you just
picking them up at HomeDepot, Lowes?

bleedingthought · 04/04/2007, 10:35 AM

No BHs at hardware stores. Either get them at your LFS or online. My favorite is: www.savko.com

muelpaul · 04/04/2007, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Haffs09
Muelpaul...I don't have a picture, but I drilled the holes right below the top tank trim, with just enough clearance so the bulkhead nut won't hit the trim. I think I was also about 1.5" from the corner of the tank. The 10gal is serving as a fuge on a 90gal tank. Part of the overflow from the display tank is directed to the fuge. The fuge is on a little stand so that it can overflow into a 20H sump. I hope that helps.

Thank you Haffs09, I am going to try and position my BH about 2" from the top on the front side to flow down into the sump. Sounds like you have the model of what I am trying to do, I hope mine turns out as well as yours.

Thank you for your help

Haffs09 · 04/04/2007, 05:49 PM

Your welcome, Muelpaul

kirsto71 · 04/10/2007, 07:23 AM

I am not sure if i have missed this (it is a very long thread) but is it OK to drill (6mm) ~1/4 inch glass. I want to put an emergency overflow into my sump to allow for excess water to be sent to waste if there is a problem.

cherubfish pair · 04/11/2007, 08:13 PM

This is a big thread and I don't know if I need to read it all because I've got some experience in drilling glass.

I've always used the big diameter bits (1" or bigger) and I need one of those small dremel bits (~3/16") to drill holes to fasten an internal refugium over the top of tank using zip ties.

What is the number on one of those dremel bits?

bleedingthought · 04/11/2007, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by the cattleman
This is a big thread and I don't know if I need to read it all because I've got some experience in drilling glass.

I've always used the big diameter bits (1" or bigger) and I need one of those small dremel bits (~3/16") to drill holes to fasten an internal refugium over the top of tank using zip ties.

What is the number on one of those dremel bits?

I hope it's not a problem to post this link here.

http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopi...=963883#963883

Hope that helps.

bleedingthought · 04/11/2007, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kirsto71
I am not sure if i have missed this (it is a very long thread) but is it OK to drill (6mm) ~1/4 inch glass. I want to put an emergency overflow into my sump to allow for excess water to be sent to waste if there is a problem.

Shouldn't be a problem. The thinner the glass, the easier you have to go on it, though.

muelpaul · 04/12/2007, 07:33 PM

Hello all,
I received the hole saws today that I had purchased from Ebay user Lau, it took 13 days from confirmed ship date.
I put each in my cordless drill to check for wobble and all are wobble free.

This weekend I am going to video my first attempt at tank drilling, a 45mm hole in a 5.5gal. Very thin glass, so I am going to place some type of support under the drill site and then let the drill do all the work.

If all goes well I am going to drill the back of my 46 bow for (2) 1" drains and (2) 3/4" returns.

I must admit though, I am a little nervous about drilling the 46.

JustOneMoreTank · 04/12/2007, 07:52 PM

GS-Rock · 04/12/2007, 09:15 PM

just wanted to let you guys know i have easly drilled my tank it took me about 20-30 mins, i also have read both threds, which took me a good 1 and a half hours and another 2 hours to re read everything so i knew what i was doing and i did not learn from your mis takes, i went to wal-**** (dont want to say the name because they are not a sponsor and all heh heh) to get a 10 gal to drill some people said if its tempard just the bottom is and some said if its temparded, everything is temparded, well i got one to learn and get my kill up to drill into the tank, everything was going good till i was about 1/3 in and i think it was the virbation that got it but it busted, so let this be a lesson to every one if it says its temperd and to cant afford to loose the $10 it cost just dont do it, but i think i got it down, i drill the hell out of that tank and busted every side but i think i got the tank of it and now my tank has holes in it if some one wants i can take pics of it but i dont have fotobucket or what ever picture hosting web site but its a great hole done with a drimmel, great post justonemoretank!!!

cherubfish pair · 04/12/2007, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bleedingthought
I hope it's not a problem to post this link here.

http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopi...=963883#963883

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the link, bleedingthought.

cherubfish pair · 04/12/2007, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by the cattleman
This is a big thread and I don't know if I need to read it all because I've got some experience in drilling glass.

Does this thread cover drilling into a vertical panel on a tank that's got something in it?

bleedingthought · 04/12/2007, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by the cattleman
Does this thread cover drilling into a vertical panel on a tank that's got something in it?

You mean draining part of the tank and drilling above the water level and refilling it back up?

I've not only heard of this being done, I've seen videos of it! Worked great!

But I personally wouldn't do it. Call me chicken.

JustOneMoreTank · 04/13/2007, 07:20 AM

Bleedingthought... You saw my handy work on Cooper9117's tank? They already posted that video didnt they? Thats right... the only video that they have not posted was the meeting when I did the two empty tanks outside.

bleedingthought · 04/13/2007, 07:27 AM

http://atlanta-smas.org/phpBB2/viewt...hp?p=7056#7056

There's the link to pictures and video drilled by the thread starter himself!

JustOneMoreTank · 04/13/2007, 11:56 AM

http://s27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...t=DSCF0030.flv

You have to register to get on the site. Here is a direct link. Difficult to see what is going on in the video.
That is a homemade skimmer sitting in the middle of the tank in the video. All of the fish are hiding in the rock!

04/03/2007, 10:34 AM	#651
Haffs09 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 924	I recently drilled a 10gal twice with a 19.2V cordless drill and didn't have any problems. I just took my time and let the weight of the drill do all the work. Oh yeah, I drilled 45mm holes. __________________ Current tank info: 94"x30"x30" Miracles in the works!

04/03/2007, 01:53 PM	#653
Haffs09 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 924	What do you mean when you say, "Any pressure on the plumbing and the glass cracks?" Do you crack the glass when you are tightening up the bulk heads? __________________ Current tank info: 94"x30"x30" Miracles in the works!

04/03/2007, 03:38 PM	#656
Haffs09 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 924	Ahh...I see. Fortunately, that didn't happen to me. Maybe you're overtightening the BH? __________________ Current tank info: 94"x30"x30" Miracles in the works!

04/04/2007, 10:08 AM	#658
Haffs09 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 924	Muelpaul...I don't have a picture, but I drilled the holes right below the top tank trim, with just enough clearance so the bulkhead nut won't hit the trim. I think I was also about 1.5" from the corner of the tank. The 10gal is serving as a fuge on a 90gal tank. Part of the overflow from the display tank is directed to the fuge. The fuge is on a little stand so that it can overflow into a 20H sump. I hope that helps. __________________ Current tank info: 94"x30"x30" Miracles in the works!

04/04/2007, 10:35 AM	#660
bleedingthought Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Acworth, GA Posts: 422	No BHs at hardware stores. Either get them at your LFS or online. My favorite is: www.savko.com __________________ -Thiago-

04/03/2007, 10:42 AM	#652
johno4 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 2,526	I used the same method to drill (using the weight of the drill), any pressure on the plumbing and the glass cracks.

04/03/2007, 02:47 PM	#654
NoCarrier Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: camarillo, ca Posts: 158	I think he means that once you have the bulkhead and pvc installed, any sort of torque on the plumbing would cause the glass to break.

04/04/2007, 10:20 AM	#659
DouglasTiede Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kaukauna,WI Posts: 1,018	So where is a place to get good bulkheads? or are you just picking them up at HomeDepot, Lowes?

04/04/2007, 05:49 PM	#662
Haffs09 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 924	Your welcome, Muelpaul __________________ Current tank info: 94"x30"x30" Miracles in the works!

04/10/2007, 07:23 AM	#663
kirsto71 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mackay Queensland, Australia Posts: 195	I am not sure if i have missed this (it is a very long thread) but is it OK to drill (6mm) ~1/4 inch glass. I want to put an emergency overflow into my sump to allow for excess water to be sent to waste if there is a problem. __________________ Cheers Marc Current Tank Info: 7x3x2 Reef Tank

04/11/2007, 08:13 PM	#664
cherubfish pair Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Libby, Montana Posts: 7,061 Blog Entries: 1	This is a big thread and I don't know if I need to read it all because I've got some experience in drilling glass. I've always used the big diameter bits (1" or bigger) and I need one of those small dremel bits (~3/16") to drill holes to fasten an internal refugium over the top of tank using zip ties. What is the number on one of those dremel bits? __________________ pairo chero Thanks for looking at my build thread and subscribe to it if you already haven't yet! Current Tank Info: thirty rimless

04/12/2007, 07:33 PM	#667
muelpaul Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New London, WI Posts: 592	Hello all, I received the hole saws today that I had purchased from Ebay user Lau, it took 13 days from confirmed ship date. I put each in my cordless drill to check for wobble and all are wobble free. This weekend I am going to video my first attempt at tank drilling, a 45mm hole in a 5.5gal. Very thin glass, so I am going to place some type of support under the drill site and then let the drill do all the work. If all goes well I am going to drill the back of my 46 bow for (2) 1" drains and (2) 3/4" returns. I must admit though, I am a little nervous about drilling the 46.

04/12/2007, 07:52 PM	#668
JustOneMoreTank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 967

04/12/2007, 09:15 PM	#669
GS-Rock Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: lawton, ok Posts: 447	just wanted to let you guys know i have easly drilled my tank it took me about 20-30 mins, i also have read both threds, which took me a good 1 and a half hours and another 2 hours to re read everything so i knew what i was doing and i did not learn from your mis takes, i went to wal-**** (dont want to say the name because they are not a sponsor and all heh heh) to get a 10 gal to drill some people said if its tempard just the bottom is and some said if its temparded, everything is temparded, well i got one to learn and get my kill up to drill into the tank, everything was going good till i was about 1/3 in and i think it was the virbation that got it but it busted, so let this be a lesson to every one if it says its temperd and to cant afford to loose the $10 it cost just dont do it, but i think i got it down, i drill the hell out of that tank and busted every side but i think i got the tank of it and now my tank has holes in it if some one wants i can take pics of it but i dont have fotobucket or what ever picture hosting web site but its a great hole done with a drimmel, great post justonemoretank!!! __________________ soap is magical... Current Tank Info: 2 15g fw planted

04/13/2007, 07:20 AM	#673
JustOneMoreTank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 967	Bleedingthought... You saw my handy work on Cooper9117's tank? They already posted that video didnt they? Thats right... the only video that they have not posted was the meeting when I did the two empty tanks outside.

04/13/2007, 07:27 AM	#674
bleedingthought Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Acworth, GA Posts: 422	http://atlanta-smas.org/phpBB2/viewt...hp?p=7056#7056 There's the link to pictures and video drilled by the thread starter himself! __________________ -Thiago-

04/13/2007, 11:56 AM	#675
JustOneMoreTank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 967	http://s27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...t=DSCF0030.flv You have to register to get on the site. Here is a direct link. Difficult to see what is going on in the video. That is a homemade skimmer sitting in the middle of the tank in the video. All of the fish are hiding in the rock!