Drilling a 2.5 gall tank.

[Devaji]

So I have this DIY project in mind that woukd require drilling a 2.5 gallon tank with a 1/2" hole for a bulk head in the bottom or side of the tank.


I am guessing it's going to be pretty hard to do right.
Even if the hole come out nice the bulk head will Crack the tank.
But my back up plan in to use a 1/4" plate glass.
Think it will work?

 

[SteveSTL]

Are you planning on using a 1/2" bulkhead because they need about a 1-1/8" hole or is it just for a JG fitting or the like? Might be best off removing the pane, cutting a 1/4" piece the same size, drilling it and replacing it in the tank.

 

[Greybeard]

It's possible. I've drilled a 5g tank before, probably the same thin, brittle glass. New diamond hole saw, rest the pane FLAT against a good, solid backer, stay well away from the edges of the glass pane, keep it wet, drill SLOW, and take your time. Once cut, as long as it's not badly chipped out, the bulkhead should have even pressure on both sides of the glass, so it shouldn't break... IF you don't put any pressure on that bulkhead. Flexing a length of PVC that's anchored in such a thin piece of glass will certainly crack the pane.

Good news If you break it, you're heart won't fall nearly as far as if you were drilling your brand new thousand dollar aquarium

 

[p7willm]

I drilled the ATO tank that came with my Red Sea Reefer. Took it slow, kept it wet, and held the drill a little to make the pressure even less than the weight of the drill. Took forever but I got it done.

 

[Fin]

Is this an existing tank, or a tank you are planning to build out of 1/4" glass? If it is an existing tank, it shouldn't hard to drill, but before you start, you need to determine if the pane you plan to drill is tempered. If it is tempered, the tank will shatter as soon as the bit cuts into it. Check on YouTube for videos to show you how to use a laptop or phone screen and some polarized sunglasses to find out if the glass is tempered. You cannot drill tempered glass.

 

[Devaji]

Thanks for the replies guys.
So I was thinking of using a Aqueon 2.5 gallon tank to make an ATS.
The plan:
Drill a hole either in the bottom or lower on the side for the the water exit. Come over the top for the return ( So i don't have to drill 2 holes.) Paint the the tank black eccept where the led windows will be. Use glass lid.

Yes my back up is if i Crack it was to drill a 1/4 " glass and silicone that in. Also thought mignt do the whole tank that way. In other words use the 2.5 as a template of sorts to keep things square.

Any thoughts on mounting the led to the side?