Drilling Glass Tanks?????????????

fagundespavinp3 · May 12, 2014

Ok So I'm in the Central Valley California(Near Modesto) and am new to the Reefing world building a set up now and was wondering if anyone in my area has any idea as to where I could go to get my tanks Drilled for returns and over flows???? Any help will Be great!!

redfishbluefish · May 12, 2014

Just purchase a Glass-Holes overflow kit....it comes with the drill bit. Easy to do, just go slow. Also make sure the glass isn't tempered. HERE is the method to determine if the glass is tempered.

fagundespavinp3 · May 12, 2014

t
hat a cool trick to check I was told the tank was NOT tempered but this will be a lot cheaper than just testing It with a drill bit. LOL ;}

Pete polyp · May 12, 2014

Get some plumbers putty and roll it into a long tube (like a snake), lay it on the tank where you are going to drill in a circle and push together the ends. This makes a reservoir that will hold the water that will lubricate as you cut and keep the temperature down. Put the bit at about a 45 degree angle to start so that it cuts a starter groove, then turn it to 90 degrees and try to cut as evenly as possible. As stated already, go slow.. Have the bit turn slow about 1/10 speed of the drill at max. You should stop and rinse out the glass shavings every few minutes to help everything to go smoothly.

VicD81 · May 19, 2014

Emphasis on the go slow but also no pressure on the drill. The weight of the drill is enough to cut. I started at a 45 degree angle and slowly brought it up to 90 with the trigger fully pressed on the low setting.

The first time I did it I got antsy and started to apply pressure with out knowing and disaster struck!

ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1386963571.703066.jpg

Just be mindful of the pressure you apply. Ill add I did another 8 holes after this with out any issues.

fagundespavinp3 · May 19, 2014

That's What im afraid of I really don't want to crack my 180 Gallon tank the 75 don't want to either but its not nearly as bad at freaking me out.

VicD81 · May 19, 2014

I was considering taking it somewhere to get it drilled but every place I called said they can do it but they offer no guarantee. If it cracks it cracks!

fagundespavinp3 · May 19, 2014

How easy Is It to put a new Panel of glass In If said break happens?

VicD81 · May 19, 2014

The guy at my LFS said I might as well get a new tank. Luckily I had another that had spring a leak (It was suppose to be my practice tank but didnt want to dull the bit). I Just drilled it then resealed it. If you plan to drill a sump you can practice on that. Petco has $1 a gallon sales quite often.

Pete polyp · May 19, 2014

You're on fire today vic! Very good advice.

VicD81 · May 19, 2014

LOl thanks Pete. I did tons of research and asked lots of questions when I started. I figure I would pay it fwd!

fagundespavinp3 · May 19, 2014

yeah I have been contemplating the Idea of just getting a new tank bc of what you stated the don't offer any guarantee I lose either way they do the hole perfect I pay out the wazoo or they crack it im out a tank. If drilling it dose it help if the glass is thicker?? ps thanks for all the info its helpful

cope413 · May 19, 2014

some useful tips for drilling...

1) Use masking or clear packing tape to surround the area you're going to drill. This helps prevent splitting/cracking. Clear packing tape works best because you can still see everything that's going on.
2) for holes larger than 1/4", it's worth every penny to buy a nice diamond hole saw rather than a cheap one from harbor freight or somewhere like it.

VicD81 · May 20, 2014

The task seems daunting but its really not that bad as long as you are mindful of the pressure you apply to the drill. I drilled my first holes with a hand held drill press but by the end just went freehand. The thicker the glass the longer it is going to take and its going to seem like it is taking forever. I used the bits from glass-holes and I think 4 holes is about the bits limit. The last one I drilled took FOREVER!

Greguls · May 20, 2014

One other addition to all the really great advice here is to watch a video or two on YouTube, if not only to boost confidence in the process, and tape the bottom side of the hole to be drilled with a criss cross to ensure the glass disk doesn't fall out and damage the opposite side of the tank.

VicD81 · May 20, 2014

Greguls said:
One other addition to all the really great advice here is to watch a video or two on YouTube, if not only to boost confidence in the process, and tape the bottom side of the hole to be drilled with a criss cross to ensure the glass disk doesn't fall out and damage the opposite side of the tank.

Very true. I got just about the whole way through before i realized I hadn't tapped or laid bubble wrap to protect the opposite side glass panel from being shattered by the cut out. Ive made many mistakes. :noidea:

fagundespavinp3 · May 20, 2014

wow thanks I didn't even think about the taping the back side!! I will hit up you tube know anyone that sells "good" diamond hole saws??

rainydave · May 20, 2014

fagundespavinp3 said:
wow thanks I didn't even think about the taping the back side!! I will hit up you tube know anyone that sells "good" diamond hole saws??

Glass-holes.com has a decent selection of hole saws.

Greguls · May 20, 2014

I got mine from eBay...a company in New Jersey, they worked fine.

miamiangler · May 20, 2014

Get the kit from Glass -holes . It took me a month to get the nerve to drill a hole in my tank ! was easy so did two more in the tank . Now I have an overflow box in the center and two returns ! Work slow and let the bit do the work . You are not drilling but grinding the glass . Just keep the area wet !