Drilling aquarium?

[KyOsIBa515]

Hey all, new to reef2reef.

I currently have a 65 gallon planet aqaurium crystalline I bought 2 years ago. It was none reef ready but I bought it to drill. Long story short it is tough to find someone to drill it. In the event I try it myself any pointers outside of youtube clips? Kind of terrified of breaking it lol.

 

[Big G]

Welcome to R2R!

Yes, it is kinda nerve wracking. Did you check to see that the glass is not tempered?

BRS has a great video on how to and they sell the drill bits too. The key is to not push on the glass. Just let the weight of the drill grind through the glass slowly.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/howto-drill-aquariums-and-install-internal-overflow/

 

[jd371]

Used to work in a glass shop. If you're sure the glass is not tempered it's really not that hard. Make sure to use plenty of water to keep the drill bit cool and like was mentioned let the weight of the drill do the work DON'T FORCE IT! It's the initial cut that's scary because the tendency of the drill bit to wander, but once there's a groove it's smooth sailing. In the shop instead of having the water run over the bit as we're drilling and making a mess on the floor we would put a dang around the hole to keep water in place while drilling.

 

[burnetb1]

You can always pick up some extra glass and practice before you try on your tank. You will learn quickly that it isn't nearly as scary as people think. And thicker glass is easier than thinner.
+1 for the BRS videos.

 

[joec]

Don't press hard when drilling, let the drill do the work. Make a template

Also, if you have black trim, tape it off so that glass particles do not go under the trim. If some do, rinse them out before setting up your tank

 

[KyOsIBa515]

Thank you very much for the input! For now I am just starting up running a canister for a fish only system. However, I know after a while i’ll get the itch to start reefing again. I’ll cowboy up and drill it one of these days. Already have the ghost overflow

 

[Mjrenz]

A tip the owner of my lfs told me that I haven't seen at all on YouTube, use vegetable oil instead of water. I used it to drill all of my tanks and it worked amazing, it only took a couple caps full

 

[Jason_J]

I always drill a guide hole in a piece of plywood and use that to start the hole; not necessary but helpful as it keeps the bit from wandering around when starting the hole. Drilling glass isn't hard, just be patient, run the drill at a slower speed and don't push down.

 

[Dual40IM]

Thank you very much for the input! For now I am just starting up running a canister for a fish only system. However, I know after a while i’ll get the itch to start reefing again. I’ll cowboy up and drill it one of these days. Already have the ghost overflow

If the tank is empty now go ahead and drill it. It will be a lot more difficult to empty it, drill, refill and house any live critters you would already have in it. Plus if it does happen to break while drilling it your not in a mad scrabble to find a tank to put your livestock in. Even if you dont have the money for a sump and needed equipment you can just plug the bulk heads and run your canister filter like stated.

 

[KyOsIBa515]

A tip the owner of my lfs told me that I haven't seen at all on YouTube, use vegetable oil instead of water. I used it to drill all of my tanks and it worked amazing, it only took a couple caps full

I talked to several glass shops in the area that turned me down due to the liability of it. However, he told me for an aquarium to use a biodegradable oil instead of water. Like vegetable oil.

 

[Brad Miller]

I bought 3 - 10 gallon tanks to make my refugium, knowing this was my first attempt at drilling any .....3rd tank was the winner
Maybe it was because I knew i had to do the last one right or run out and get another one.

 

[Mjrenz]

I talked to several glass shops in the area that turned me down due to the liability of it. However, he told me for an aquarium to use a biodegradable oil instead of water. Like vegetable oil.

It was the some of the best advice I've ever been given in this hobby, if the hole started to look dry I just pushed the slurry of oil and glass shavings back into it with my finger and made sure that the glass wasn't getting hot. I even drilled the back of my biocube in my living room while water and livestock were in it, I lowered the water level in the back with the return pump still running, dried off the glass inside, and put masking tape on the back side of the hole. I also taped some paper towels under the hole on the outside, it worked perfectly.

 

[Mjrenz]

I bought 3 - 10 gallon tanks to make my refugium, knowing this was my first attempt at drilling any .....3rd tank was the winner
Maybe it was because I knew i had to do the last one right or run out and get another one.

After reading your first sentence I was picturing three ten gallon tanks in linked together... Then I realized what happened lol

 

[KyOsIBa515]

I bought 3 - 10 gallon tanks to make my refugium, knowing this was my first attempt at drilling any .....3rd tank was the winner
Maybe it was because I knew i had to do the last one right or run out and get another one.

From my understanding a 10 gallon tank is about the toughest to drill due to glass thickness. Many many fail w 10 gallon tanks because of it.

Little bit about my tank, it is a 65 gallon tank as stated. Planet aquarium crystaline. I highly recommend the tank for quality of work. However, the companies customer service is none existent which sucks. Took 3 weeks to get a hold of them to see if the glass is tempered. (Which it is not) to my surprise 3 sides are starfire.

However, what I have in my corner is it is 1/2” thick glass so it will be easier to drill.

However, this is further down the road. I already set it up just recently w the canister. If I put the synergy reef ghost overflow I bought on it I fear I would neglect the reef w how busy I am w work. Just fish though, I can manage.

I really appreciate all the input. Part of me still says shut it down and drill it even for the fish only that way the back of the tank looks clean but if I do break it. Don’t know where you live in the country but I am sure you’d hear my yells. Lol

 

[KyOsIBa515]

It was the some of the best advice I've ever been given in this hobby, if the hole started to look dry I just pushed the slurry of oil and glass shavings back into it with my finger and made sure that the glass wasn't getting hot. I even drilled the back of my biocube in my living room while water and livestock were in it, I lowered the water level in the back with the return pump still running, dried off the glass inside, and put masking tape on the back side of the hole. I also taped some paper towels under the hole on the outside, it worked perfectly.

I have an old 28gal cube that I always kept. It was my baby, ultimately what got me into actual reefing like 10 years ago. I always wanted to add a sump like you have done. Awesome job.

 

[Mjrenz]

I have an old 28gal cube that I always kept. It was my baby, ultimately what got me into actual reefing like 10 years ago. I always wanted to add a sump like you have done. Awesome job.

Thanks! My house isn't big, I wish I had room for a 1200 gallon tank but that would mean I'd have to get a divorce and empty the house of everything but my tanks and my sock drawer. I combined my 32 gallon biocube with my 55 gallon peninsula and a 20 gallon sump and I've never looked back

 

[KyOsIBa515]

Thanks! My house isn't big, I wish I had room for a 1200 gallon tank but that would mean I'd have to get a divorce and empty the house of everything but my tanks and my sock drawer. I combined my 32 gallon biocube with my 55 gallon peninsula and a 20 gallon sump and I've never looked back

I had red sea 750xxl that I bought. I was bummed because I sold it before ever setting it up because I relocated because of work...bought a house w only 1 feasible spot to put it and I got trumped on that spot because of my wife lol. I hear you. That’s why I have the 65 now.

 

[cracker]

Hey KyOs , It's really not as difficult as one might think. a couple questions.
Do You own a new hand held drill? these are a lot lighter then the older ones. Mine ways a ton. As stated no down force is needed.
Do You have the overflow yet. These days they usually come with a template to hold the drill steady especially at the beginning. Inquire about the template .
If the hole is for another purpose try to make a template. all this has already been mentioned.
Ohh these days, most tanks are plate on the sides & ok to drill & the bottoms are tempered . No drilling that.

 

[KyOsIBa515]

Hey KyOs , It's really not as difficult as one might think. a couple questions.
Do You own a new hand held drill? these are a lot lighter then the older ones. Mine ways a ton. As stated no down force is needed.
Do You have the overflow yet. These days they usually come with a template to hold the drill steady especially at the beginning. Inquire about the template .
If the hole is for another purpose try to make a template. all this has already been mentioned.
Ohh these days, most tanks are plate on the sides & ok to drill & the bottoms are tempered . No drilling that.

I bought a synergy reef 16” shadow overflow. I also bought 2 65mm diamond bits and a drill guide off of bulkreef. Also 2 35mm diamond bits for 3/4 returns. I simply whimped out because I have never drilled glass. If I would of the tank would of made for a beautiful reef tank. I had a lot of big plans for it. However, time now is my issue. I will break down and drill it one of these days.

 

[Mjrenz]

I bought a synergy reef 16” shadow overflow. I also bought 2 65mm diamond bits and a drill guide off of bulkreef. Also 2 35mm diamond bits for 3/4 returns. I simply whimped out because I have never drilled glass. If I would of the tank would of made for a beautiful reef tank. I had a lot of big plans for it. However, time now is my issue. I will break down and drill it one of these days.

I had never drilled a tank before and used the advice of my lfs owner, I went slow and steady and had no problems. I didn't use a template and have been successful with every tank I've drilled so far with my 16 year old Dewalt 18v drill that still has the original batteries