Drilled 210 today and slight chipping.

[JCTReefer]

Just got through drilling the new tank.

There is some slight chipping. Not sure if I should be worried. It’s 5/8” glass. It’s certainly not perfect though. Each hole took about 30 minutes to drill. Very light pressure. Used a drill guide. Taped the back of the glass also. Clamped a piece of plywood to the back also. Plenty of water. And still chipping. The right hole is worse than the left hole. I‘m also not sure what amount of chipping, if any, is acceptable. Had the same issue with the last tank I drilled. It wasn’t perfect, but has held up over the last 3 years with no issues so far. The external overflow lines up perfectly with the holes. I Couldn’t be happier with that part. But the small amount of chipping bothers me despite using very little pressure. Especially when it was almost through. Any opinions on the severity of the chipping?
Should I be worried? I took multiple pics of both holes.
Thanks all!!!!

 

[JumboShrimp]

“Congratulations for being so very brave” is the only thought I can add!

But I suppose you are worried about leaking under the gasket(s), rather than an actual structural failure of some sort, am I right?

 

[JCTReefer]

“Congratulations for being so very brave” is the only thought I can add!

But I suppose you are worried about leaking under the gasket(s), rather than an actual structural failure of some sort, am I right?

I’m not super worried about the leaking part really. There’s quite a bit of gasket that covers beyond the chip. I was more worried from a structural stand point. I had modular marine make my overflow to have the spacing plenty far away from the top of the tank. Mainly to meet custom aquariums spacing requirements. They’re spaced way further from the top and sides than what I see some tanks drilled. I tend to overthink things sometimes. Lol.

 

[JCTReefer]

Talk about a high anxiety very stressful day!!! You only get one shot!!! My nerves are shot. Lol. I didn’t have as much riding on the last tank. This one hurt my pocket book a bit more. I’m really not sure how I could have done it any better. Possibly drilling from both sides. I wasn’t brave enough to try that though.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

I think you will be fine. Its my understanding that chips are generally alright and from the pictures I don't see anything that could lead to a stress fracture. Good job, brave reefer.

 

[JCTReefer]

I think you will be fine. Its my understanding that chips are generally alright and from the pictures I don't see anything that could lead to a stress fracture. Good job, brave reefer.

Thanks for the reassurance!!! That’s definitely what I’m needing!

 

[MarshallB]

I think it's pretty tough to drill a tank without any chipping without a really high quality bit. I bought one from BRS to drill my tank and the second whole took a lot longer and turned out a lot rougher than the first. Mine came out the same way and its been fine. As long as the gasket extends further out than the chip then there isn't anything to worry about. If the gasket properly seals then water will not be able to make to to where the chip is.

 

[WDKegge]

It's fine, I had a chunk way worse than that on a 60 flat and it's still going some 8 years later.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I agree with everyone that you will be fine. Two thumbs up!!

 

[Marlon C]

I work with glass everyday and a chip is fine as long as its not a crack that will run a chip is fine

 

[KrisReef]

I’m not super worried about the leaking part really. There’s quite a bit of gasket that covers beyond the chip. I was more worried from a structural stand point. I had modular marine make my overflow to have the spacing plenty far away from the top of the tank. Mainly to meet custom aquariums spacing requirements. They’re spaced way further from the top and sides than what I see some tanks drilled. I tend to overthink things sometimes. Lol.

Hit the chipped edges of the holes with some wet wet dry sandpaper to remove any sharp edges. Be careful not to sand the view pane but remove and round over lightly the edges and remove the areas where micro cracks might form.
The picture shows a nice hole, btw. A few smaller chips than I expected reading your text!

 

[JCTReefer]

Hit the chipped edges of the holes with some wet wet dry sandpaper to remove any sharp edges. Be careful not to sand the view pane but remove and round over lightly the edges and remove the areas where micro cracks might form.
The picture shows a nice hole, btw. A few smaller chips than I expected reading your text!

Good advice! I did go ahead and sand the edges with some fine grit sandpaper. Everything is really smooth now. I worked at it for a while. I might go back and wet sand a little more though.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Let’s see a whole-tank photo when you get a chance, just for fun. Now that you’ve gotten us all hooked.

 

[KrisReef]

The key is to remove any sharp/ thin edges without sanding dry and making new micro fractures or additional chip flaws. Ideal would be a ground bevel polished edges but they are not needed with that thick glass for safety, as others posted before.
Edit- oh, and I don’t have the nerve to drill glass tanks even though I did work in a glass shop and have seen a lot of drilling cutting and tempering while I was there. Well done sir!

 

[JCTReefer]

The key is to remove any sharp/ thin edges without sanding dry and making new micro fractures or additional chip flaws. Ideal would be a ground bevel polished edges but they are not needed with that thick glass for safety, as others posted before.
Edit- oh, and I don’t have the nerve to drill glass tanks even though I did work in a glass shop and have seen a lot of drilling cutting and tempering while I was there. Well done sir!

That’s is good to know on the sanding dry part. I did sand dry earlier. It was really fine grit though. I’ll go back over those areas and wet sand the whole thing. I didn’t think about micro fractures!! I’m glad you chimed in!!! Thanks so much!

 

[JCTReefer]

Let’s see a whole-tank photo when you get a chance, just for fun. Now that you’ve gotten us all hooked.

Here it is naked. Lol. Not much to look at really. I do like the fact they use anodized aluminum on their framing. I came close to going rimless, but decided against it. Waiting on the stand to get finished at the powder coaters. Finally got that thing built. Hopefully I’ll have it plumbed and wet by Christmas. Lol!! Going on a year now. Geez!!! From having the tank built. To delays In production from Covid. Custom sump took 6 months. Crazy times!!

 

[JCTReefer]

Thanks all for everyone’s reply. Much appreciated!!!

 

[JumboShrimp]

Exquisite. Enjoy it to the max.