Step-by-Step: Drilling Holes in Your Glass Tank for Bulkheads - Page 14

zeblisik · 04/22/2006, 10:32 AM

the bits i bought from lau took about 5 business days to arrive to NYC

BallaBooyeaH · 04/23/2006, 02:25 AM

I'm in Ireland so I guess it will take longer to get to me than HK to the USA.

adnup · 04/23/2006, 11:25 AM

Mine took about 5 business days also

swedish steel · 04/23/2006, 05:03 PM

I would agree with the 5 business day time frame. I have placed three different orders from Lau. Just finished the last eight holes. I have 14 on the 300 and 10 on the 130.

dtaranath · 04/23/2006, 06:20 PM

adnup - nice work.

JustOneMoreTank · 04/23/2006, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dtaranath
Oh, and JustOneMoreTank,

If you're ever in the Philadelphia area, let me know. I owe you at least a beer for starting this thread. You saved me about $150.

Philly is a long way from Atlanta. But if I am ever passing through that way I will try and look you up.

JustOneMoreTank · 04/23/2006, 07:57 PM

Good job everyone! Looks like lots of great holes! Sorry to the one who shattered the old Perfecto tank. The tempered glass will do that and end up in one billion pieces.

swedish steel · 04/23/2006, 10:55 PM

JustOneMoreTank - I want to also thank you for starting this thread and include an offer of a pint or more if you get to the Everett, WA area. I'll fire up the barbeque, too. Thanks, again. Reef Central is a great site.

adnup · 04/25/2006, 04:34 PM

Thanks dtaranath

Barto · 04/25/2006, 10:10 PM

JustOneMore, sounds like you better just plan a ROAD TRIP.
I busted a 10G practicing, but I'm a quick learner. Drilled 5 more holes trouble free, waiting on a new bit from china for different size hole
Plan on adding Bozeman, Montana to your itinary on your way to Everett, have a home brew & some of my fresh elk sausage on the barbieQ.

Nathan4Wvu · 04/26/2006, 12:34 AM

Wow this is a great thread im so glad i found it. I got so lucky I ordered my bit from Hong Kong and the bulk head like 2 days ago and luckly i used google and got the right bulkhead for the 45 mm bit.

?? My question is im going to drill my 29 when i get the parts and would it be better to have 1 1inch bulkhead or 2. Im going to have a mag 5 return pump and if i had 2 holes would the back of the tank still be stable??? Do you think i should drill just drill the second hole as an extra just incase i want a bigger return pump one day??

pmike25 · 04/26/2006, 05:51 PM

Im going to give the glass cutting experiance a try!!! Thanks for this thread!!!

Sohal11 · 04/27/2006, 08:58 AM

Dan...on page 12 from your picture, I see that you have a double-Wye fitting. I have been looking for that one and couldn't find it anywhere. Can you tell me where you get them? Thnks.

zeblisik · 04/27/2006, 10:40 AM

i just got some more drill bits and finished drilling my 1" holes. its really quite easy.

I've connected a system of 4 tanks together using gravity and 1 return pump

ill try to post some pictures tonight

zeblisik · 04/27/2006, 10:43 AM

schscountryboy,

I'd go with 2.

1) because just as you say it'd be easier to upgrade in the future
2) there's always a chance one could get clogged or partially obstructed
3) its really quite easy to drill, so why not?

I'd also have recommended just using pvc fittings and a rubber gasket as bulkheads

dtaranath · 04/27/2006, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sohal11
Dan...on page 12 from your picture, I see that you have a double-Wye fitting. I have been looking for that one and couldn't find it anywhere. Can you tell me where you get them? Thnks.

Lowe's and Home Depot both carry them. They start at 1.5".

orangezero · 04/29/2006, 02:27 PM

Hey,

just wanted to let you guys know, i'm in the middle of cutting three holes in my bathroom mirror for a wallmount faucet. Not exactly like an aquarium tank, but similar. This thread really helped. I picked up a carbide tipped hole saw bit at menards, but they had one at lowe's also. supposed to be for fiberglass, ceramic, tiles, etc. didn't specifically say for glass, but it worked. I have practiced on some mirror 12in x 12in tiles, and made a few decent holes in some 1/8in glass. I'm assuming 1/4in glass will take a lot longer but also be less likely to break as I get through it... right?

the hole saw bit i got actually had a pilot hole in the center so once i get through the center, i should be able to turn it around and get it lined up almost perfectly. does take longer because you have to drill the pilot first, and also, the carbide doesn't work nearly as quickly as the diamond bit. if i had the time, i'm sure i would have ordered one as well, but i really didn't.

Anyway, thought you guys might be interested in knowing others are helped with this. They wanted $40 a hole at the glass shop, and another would only make 3/4in or 2in holes, weird...

I think i'm going to try cutting from both sides after reading through all 14 pages of this thread today.

thanks for the help.

jamesBS · 04/29/2006, 07:01 PM

orangezero
i have seen thous bits at lows i don't think i wood try it on a tank.but i could be wrong.if some one does let us know.right now i wood stick with the bits made for glass

fkbsar · 04/30/2006, 05:38 AM

Has anyone tried drilling the back of a bowfront? If so how can you accomplish this since you cannot lay it flat to create the water dam.

20 20 · 04/30/2006, 05:44 AM

Try supporting it with a bunch of towels, or blankets, more towards the ends.

jamesBS · 04/30/2006, 06:26 AM

i have drilled 3 holes now 1 3/4 each all in the sides with tank standing up right one 90 gal with water and fish in it all with same bit

Tank102a · 04/30/2006, 07:17 AM

I have a 8ft long and 30in high tank. Is it possible to drill 4 holes for a closed loop in the back glass. The tank is 1/2" glass but nicely braced on the top and bottom.
I don't want to jeopardize the tank.
Maybe if I glued a second panel of glass on the back?

GoldStripe · 04/30/2006, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tank102a
I have a 8ft long and 30in high tank. Is it possible to drill 4 holes for a closed loop in the back glass. The tank is 1/2" glass but nicely braced on the top and bottom.
I don't want to jeopardize the tank.
Maybe if I glued a second panel of glass on the back?

I think you'd be fine with four holes in the back panel IMO. And I don't think it would be necessary to glue a second panel to the back, I couldn't see that really doing much. I drilled 6 holes in the back of my 4' tank with no problems.

dtaranath · 04/30/2006, 09:40 AM

do you have a birdseye view of your tank? I know, I know, I should probably check your thread. That's next.

swedish steel · 04/30/2006, 09:45 AM

I drilled 1 7/8", 2 9/16" & 3 3/16" for overflow and closed loop in my 300, which has 5/8" glass and my 130, which has 1/2 inch glass. These are on both ends as I will build an island of live rock for sps viewable from both sides.

04/23/2006, 02:25 AM	#327
BallaBooyeaH Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Co. Waterford Ireland Posts: 240	I'm in Ireland so I guess it will take longer to get to me than HK to the USA. __________________ BallaBooyeaH - reefing in Ireland Current Tank Info: New 90 in progress

04/23/2006, 11:25 AM	#328
adnup Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spring Hill, Florida Posts: 2,025	Mine took about 5 business days also __________________ A HOUSE isn't a HOME without saltwater on the floor! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire, I-Tech 200 Skimmer, Snapper, Tunze

04/23/2006, 06:20 PM	#330
dtaranath Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 542	adnup - nice work. __________________ ______________________ 220g mixed reef

04/25/2006, 04:34 PM	#334
adnup Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spring Hill, Florida Posts: 2,025	Thanks dtaranath __________________ A HOUSE isn't a HOME without saltwater on the floor! Current Tank Info: 120 Starphire, I-Tech 200 Skimmer, Snapper, Tunze

04/25/2006, 10:10 PM	#335
Barto Alleged Lounge Moron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: BigSkyCountry Posts: 459	JustOneMore, sounds like you better just plan a ROAD TRIP. I busted a 10G practicing, but I'm a quick learner. Drilled 5 more holes trouble free, waiting on a new bit from china for different size hole Plan on adding Bozeman, Montana to your itinary on your way to Everett, have a home brew & some of my fresh elk sausage on the barbieQ. __________________ "Outliving our pets is the price we pay for the unconditional love they give us" ~Barto's Mom~ AUGUST 2009 TOTM! Current Tank Info: no more fish tanks, nothing, nada, gone!

04/22/2006, 10:32 AM	#326
zeblisik Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 393	the bits i bought from lau took about 5 business days to arrive to NYC

04/23/2006, 05:03 PM	#329
swedish steel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 102	I would agree with the 5 business day time frame. I have placed three different orders from Lau. Just finished the last eight holes. I have 14 on the 300 and 10 on the 130.

04/23/2006, 07:57 PM	#332
JustOneMoreTank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 967	Good job everyone! Looks like lots of great holes! Sorry to the one who shattered the old Perfecto tank. The tempered glass will do that and end up in one billion pieces.

04/23/2006, 10:55 PM	#333
swedish steel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 102	JustOneMoreTank - I want to also thank you for starting this thread and include an offer of a pint or more if you get to the Everett, WA area. I'll fire up the barbeque, too. Thanks, again. Reef Central is a great site.

04/26/2006, 12:34 AM	#336
Nathan4Wvu Do you like Phil Collins? Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Home:Charleston, West Virginia Posts: 1,574	Wow this is a great thread im so glad i found it. I got so lucky I ordered my bit from Hong Kong and the bulk head like 2 days ago and luckly i used google and got the right bulkhead for the 45 mm bit. ?? My question is im going to drill my 29 when i get the parts and would it be better to have 1 1inch bulkhead or 2. Im going to have a mag 5 return pump and if i had 2 holes would the back of the tank still be stable??? Do you think i should drill just drill the second hole as an extra just incase i want a bigger return pump one day?? __________________ Let's Go Mountaineers! Current Tank Info: 120 gallon mixed reef

04/26/2006, 05:51 PM	#337
pmike25 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 3,372	Im going to give the glass cutting experiance a try!!! Thanks for this thread!!!

04/27/2006, 08:58 AM	#338
Sohal11 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: OC Posts: 200	Dan...on page 12 from your picture, I see that you have a double-Wye fitting. I have been looking for that one and couldn't find it anywhere. Can you tell me where you get them? Thnks. __________________ Don't look back...Always look ahead. Current Tank Info: Nano

04/27/2006, 10:40 AM	#339
zeblisik Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 393	i just got some more drill bits and finished drilling my 1" holes. its really quite easy. I've connected a system of 4 tanks together using gravity and 1 return pump ill try to post some pictures tonight

04/27/2006, 10:43 AM	#340
zeblisik Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 393	schscountryboy, I'd go with 2. 1) because just as you say it'd be easier to upgrade in the future 2) there's always a chance one could get clogged or partially obstructed 3) its really quite easy to drill, so why not? I'd also have recommended just using pvc fittings and a rubber gasket as bulkheads

04/29/2006, 02:27 PM	#342
orangezero Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 6	Hey, just wanted to let you guys know, i'm in the middle of cutting three holes in my bathroom mirror for a wallmount faucet. Not exactly like an aquarium tank, but similar. This thread really helped. I picked up a carbide tipped hole saw bit at menards, but they had one at lowe's also. supposed to be for fiberglass, ceramic, tiles, etc. didn't specifically say for glass, but it worked. I have practiced on some mirror 12in x 12in tiles, and made a few decent holes in some 1/8in glass. I'm assuming 1/4in glass will take a lot longer but also be less likely to break as I get through it... right? the hole saw bit i got actually had a pilot hole in the center so once i get through the center, i should be able to turn it around and get it lined up almost perfectly. does take longer because you have to drill the pilot first, and also, the carbide doesn't work nearly as quickly as the diamond bit. if i had the time, i'm sure i would have ordered one as well, but i really didn't. Anyway, thought you guys might be interested in knowing others are helped with this. They wanted $40 a hole at the glass shop, and another would only make 3/4in or 2in holes, weird... I think i'm going to try cutting from both sides after reading through all 14 pages of this thread today. thanks for the help.

04/29/2006, 07:01 PM	#343
jamesBS Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: mich S.C.S Posts: 114	orangezero i have seen thous bits at lows i don't think i wood try it on a tank.but i could be wrong.if some one does let us know.right now i wood stick with the bits made for glass __________________ The problem with making assumptions is that we belive they are the truth. Current Tank Info: 90Gal/250x2mh/110x4vho/75gal/sump

04/30/2006, 05:38 AM	#344
fkbsar Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 957	Has anyone tried drilling the back of a bowfront? If so how can you accomplish this since you cannot lay it flat to create the water dam. __________________ ~Fran~ "Life and Favor" - John P. Kee (4) 54w T5s, Coral Beauty, Black and White, Chromis, 6-line Wrasse, and the Support Staff Current Tank Info: 72g Bowfront 20g sump/refugium

04/30/2006, 05:44 AM	#345
20 20 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Stewartstown, PA Posts: 1,246	Try supporting it with a bunch of towels, or blankets, more towards the ends.

04/30/2006, 06:26 AM	#346
jamesBS Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: mich S.C.S Posts: 114	i have drilled 3 holes now 1 3/4 each all in the sides with tank standing up right one 90 gal with water and fish in it all with same bit __________________ The problem with making assumptions is that we belive they are the truth. Current Tank Info: 90Gal/250x2mh/110x4vho/75gal/sump

04/30/2006, 07:17 AM	#347
Tank102a Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Big Easy Posts: 53	I have a 8ft long and 30in high tank. Is it possible to drill 4 holes for a closed loop in the back glass. The tank is 1/2" glass but nicely braced on the top and bottom. I don't want to jeopardize the tank. Maybe if I glued a second panel of glass on the back?

04/30/2006, 09:40 AM	#349
dtaranath Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 542	do you have a birdseye view of your tank? I know, I know, I should probably check your thread. That's next. __________________ ______________________ 220g mixed reef

04/30/2006, 09:45 AM	#350
swedish steel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 102	I drilled 1 7/8", 2 9/16" & 3 3/16" for overflow and closed loop in my 300, which has 5/8" glass and my 130, which has 1/2 inch glass. These are on both ends as I will build an island of live rock for sps viewable from both sides.