Step-by-Step: Drilling Holes in Your Glass Tank for Bulkheads - Page 15

swedish steel · 04/30/2006, 09:51 AM

I forgot to add that these were drilled in an upright position with my wife or one of my two children squirting water on the hole saw every few seconds. Let the drill and hole saw do the final cutting at the end with very little pressure to reduce any chipping when the saw breaks through.

Barto · 04/30/2006, 10:28 AM

FWIW...
What I used as a backstop (if you will) for my drilling thru was a piece of 2" thick styrofoam. I took a small square about 6" or so and held that in place behind/below where I was going to drill and propped/wedged it in place with a piece of 2X4 with another piece of styrofoam on the other end. (You are only holding the foam in place, no excessive forces are needed or suggested) Wedged in and well supported, I had almost zero chipping on the cut-through. Gentle drill pressure, letting the bit all do the work of course. I used the "plumbers putty dam" method for cooling water.
HTH

Tank102a · 04/30/2006, 02:07 PM

I'll try to post some pics of the aquarium later today.
Does anybody know wide the intake and returns are on
the oceanmotions 4way?

GoldStripe · 04/30/2006, 02:28 PM

I just plumbed mine last night. The 4 way is 1.5" in and 1" out. Paul @ OM can do custom work though if you need a different size.

Tank102a · 04/30/2006, 03:51 PM

Any pics. of the plumbing?

GoldStripe · 04/30/2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tank102a
Any pics. of the plumbing?

go back one page

GoldStripe · 04/30/2006, 05:15 PM

if you need other pics I can post them

Nathan4Wvu · 04/30/2006, 08:23 PM

How long has it taken on average to get the drill bits from hong kong?

Tank102a · 04/30/2006, 11:43 PM

sorry I was looking more of a cheat sheet for the 4way, and maybe some inspiration.

What would be my best option for the returns? I know that the have a couple options for the return order. Any suggestions?

GoldStripe · 05/01/2006, 06:31 AM

The best way that Paul @ OM recommends can be found here . If you can follow that you will get awsome flow in your tank. I couldn't follow that exactly because I don't have the bottom front CL outputs. My CL will blow straight down behind the rocks and that straight forward thru the rocks to the front of the tank. If you're seriously considering an OM talk to Paul, he's very easy to talk to. How big is your tank going to be?

GoldStripe · 05/01/2006, 06:33 AM

Duh, it's in your sig right? What are the dims on that tank? Is it acrylic? If I was doing a 6 or 8 foot tank, I think I would use two 4 way setups somehow and alternate them, possibly with timers to simulate the tide? I dunno, just a thought.

Tank102a · 05/01/2006, 07:54 AM

The tank is glass. 96x24x30
The problem I have with two 4 ways or one 8 way is that to many
holes in the aquarium migh weaken it. the glass is 1/2in. If you take 8ft into consideration to many holes are not a good idea.
(That's what my local reef shop owner told me.)

GoldStripe · 05/01/2006, 08:25 AM

1/2 glass on a 8' tank? Wow, seems like it would be 3/4 or 5/8 at a minimum. I would seriously consult someone who knows more about the technical stuff before I'd drill. Half of those returns on two 4 ways would come over the top so you'd still just be drilling 4 holes theoretically.

mnmnm1951 · 05/02/2006, 05:10 PM

I have an Oceanic 180G Bowfront and want to put a OceansMotions 8-way on it. I cannot drill the bottom as it is tempered so my only real option is the back. It is very thick glass. Can I drill eight 1-3/4 inch holes for return bulkeads and two 2-inch holes for the Pump feed bulkeads?

I have read the glass-drilling threads and cannot find anyone with experience with this many holes in glass. Can I basically wreck my tank with lots of stress cracks or just plain eventual breakage after filling with 180gallons of water?

I found this pic - don't know where but if this is yours I would love to talk. Will this layout work in a glass tank?

GoldStripe · 05/02/2006, 09:01 PM

you may want to talk with Paul @ Ocean Motions. He's the one makes them and he consults tons of people. He has probably talked to someone with your same question. If it was me, I'd say yes but I'm not an expert. I have six holes in my 4' tank with no problems in wet testing.

swedish steel · 05/02/2006, 09:30 PM

mnmnm1951-I'd say go for it. Just keep the edge of the holes at least 1 1/2 diameter of hole being drilled from edge of glass and at least 1/2 of diameter of hole distance from nearby hole. This is per a previously posted response on this thread. Each end glass of my 300 was drilled with four 1 7/8 holes, two 2 5/8 holes and one 3 3/16 hole for a total of 14 holes. I wanted both sides for viewing. Each end will support an Ocean Motions 4-way and two 1 1/2 drains from a weir type overflow.

vanceny · 05/02/2006, 10:23 PM

goldstrip - thanks for taking the time to answer everyones questions.
Now I have another, with 2 1.5" bulkheads in a overflow run by a mag 7, do you think it is necessary to use the elbows in the overflow for the modified external durso? This of couse to minimize the noise.
If not necessary that would help in the dimensions and make the overflow much sleeker.

dtaranath · 05/03/2006, 05:35 AM

They're not necessary, but it would certainly be quieter with the elbows in.

GoldStripe · 05/03/2006, 08:54 AM

Dual 1.5" drains with a Mag 7. Hmmm There are so many factors that come into play with the noise issue. The way my drains are, I don't think that a Mag 7 would make any noise but I've never tried it. My Iwaki 70 doesn't make that much drain noise. But I also am using the elbows inside and standpipes outside. If you're worried about space inside the tank, use a shallow internal and larger external box. I've seen it run that way with no elbows or bulkheads in the tank. Can't say if it was quiet or not though.

Did I dodge that question well enough? hahaha, j/k.

vanceny · 05/03/2006, 09:35 AM

that's an interesting idea....

Use a shallow internal overflow combined with an external that can house the standpipes.

vanceny · 05/04/2006, 11:42 AM

So I drilled my first hole last night. It was a 60mm hole for a 1.5" bulkhead. It took over an hour on a 90 gal. Not sure what took so long but I was trying to be patient since I cracked my first tank. I dont think it should have taken so long. My arms are killing me!

What's the recommended rpm for drilling? I'm using a cordless that has a maximum rpm of 950. Its variable speed so I just pull on the trigger about half way. I also used some pumping action about every 10 seconds or so. Maybe I'm not using enough pressure. I've read of others doing 4 holes in an hour. My cordless finanlly ran out of battery and I switched to a corded which seemed to work better.

Any suggestions welcome to speed up my process. I used a template to start the hole then set up a putty dam to hold the water and then drilled away. Seemed like a lifetime.

Vance

GoldStripe · 05/04/2006, 01:25 PM

I too used the cordless but quickly switched over to a corded. I found this which gives you guidelines on speed and pressure. Not sure how accurate it is though since it's the only table I've ever seen. My holes also took about an hour each. The people that drilled theirs faster are using more pressure or more speed. I think as long as the bit is cool you can increase either. I opted for more speed over pressure and checked the bit often for temp. It can't hurt to be overly cautious with the speed and/or pressure.

Spuds725 · 05/04/2006, 04:54 PM

I finally worked up the nerve to drill a tank today... I bought a 29 for use a a fuge (modular-- tank fees fuge and then drains to main sump).

I drilled a practice (45 mm) hole in a 10 gallon and then drilled the hole in my 29-- both took under 5 minutes... I did it outside and ran a garden hose (real low) over the surface of the glass... only issue was it jumping around when I started (so have a few scratches)... other then that, just as easy as it was described... used a corded drill, medium speed at first, faster with a light touch as I went though the glass (especially light when I was about through)....

Thanks (to everyone) for posting the instructions, tips, and experiences...

Spuds...

vanceny · 05/05/2006, 02:07 PM

Drilled the second hole last night took about an hour again but did seem to go quicker. I actually started it in the wrong place so I have a ring scrtached into the glass about 1mm deep in the wrong spot. Shouldn't be an issue with integrity of the glass and its on the back which will be painted black.

4 more holes to go = 4 less hours of sleep
no pipes hanging over the top and satisfaction of a job well done = pricelss!

dtaranath · 05/05/2006, 02:52 PM

all my holes were between 45-60mm on a 90gal as well. Took me about 15 minutes per hole.

Like someone said above, you can go a little faster as long as you have water keeping it cool. Just slow down as you get closer to the other side.

04/30/2006, 10:28 AM	#352
Barto Alleged Lounge Moron Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: BigSkyCountry Posts: 459	FWIW... What I used as a backstop (if you will) for my drilling thru was a piece of 2" thick styrofoam. I took a small square about 6" or so and held that in place behind/below where I was going to drill and propped/wedged it in place with a piece of 2X4 with another piece of styrofoam on the other end. (You are only holding the foam in place, no excessive forces are needed or suggested) Wedged in and well supported, I had almost zero chipping on the cut-through. Gentle drill pressure, letting the bit all do the work of course. I used the "plumbers putty dam" method for cooling water. HTH __________________ "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!

04/30/2006, 08:23 PM	#358
Nathan4Wvu Do you like Phil Collins? Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Home:Charleston, West Virginia Posts: 1,574	How long has it taken on average to get the drill bits from hong kong? __________________ Let's Go Mountaineers! Current Tank Info: 120 gallon mixed reef

05/03/2006, 05:35 AM	#368
dtaranath Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 542	They're not necessary, but it would certainly be quieter with the elbows in. __________________ ______________________ 220g mixed reef

05/04/2006, 04:54 PM	#373
Spuds725 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Toledo, Ohio USA Posts: 2,051	I finally worked up the nerve to drill a tank today... I bought a 29 for use a a fuge (modular-- tank fees fuge and then drains to main sump). I drilled a practice (45 mm) hole in a 10 gallon and then drilled the hole in my 29-- both took under 5 minutes... I did it outside and ran a garden hose (real low) over the surface of the glass... only issue was it jumping around when I started (so have a few scratches)... other then that, just as easy as it was described... used a corded drill, medium speed at first, faster with a light touch as I went though the glass (especially light when I was about through).... Thanks (to everyone) for posting the instructions, tips, and experiences... Spuds... __________________ "I only have time to neglect one tank"-- Me "I don't want to achieve immortality through my work, I want to achieve immortality by not dying"-- Woody Allen Current Tank Info: 125G mixed reef with 135G Sump

05/05/2006, 02:52 PM	#375
dtaranath Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 542	all my holes were between 45-60mm on a 90gal as well. Took me about 15 minutes per hole. Like someone said above, you can go a little faster as long as you have water keeping it cool. Just slow down as you get closer to the other side. __________________ ______________________ 220g mixed reef

04/30/2006, 09:51 AM	#351
swedish steel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 102	I forgot to add that these were drilled in an upright position with my wife or one of my two children squirting water on the hole saw every few seconds. Let the drill and hole saw do the final cutting at the end with very little pressure to reduce any chipping when the saw breaks through.

04/30/2006, 02:07 PM	#353
Tank102a Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Big Easy Posts: 53	I'll try to post some pics of the aquarium later today. Does anybody know wide the intake and returns are on the oceanmotions 4way?

04/30/2006, 02:28 PM	#354
GoldStripe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jville, FL Posts: 1,136	I just plumbed mine last night. The 4 way is 1.5" in and 1" out. Paul @ OM can do custom work though if you need a different size.

04/30/2006, 03:51 PM	#355
Tank102a Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Big Easy Posts: 53	Any pics. of the plumbing?

04/30/2006, 05:15 PM	#357
GoldStripe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jville, FL Posts: 1,136	if you need other pics I can post them

04/30/2006, 11:43 PM	#359
Tank102a Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Big Easy Posts: 53	sorry I was looking more of a cheat sheet for the 4way, and maybe some inspiration. What would be my best option for the returns? I know that the have a couple options for the return order. Any suggestions?

05/01/2006, 06:31 AM	#360
GoldStripe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jville, FL Posts: 1,136	The best way that Paul @ OM recommends can be found here . If you can follow that you will get awsome flow in your tank. I couldn't follow that exactly because I don't have the bottom front CL outputs. My CL will blow straight down behind the rocks and that straight forward thru the rocks to the front of the tank. If you're seriously considering an OM talk to Paul, he's very easy to talk to. How big is your tank going to be?

05/01/2006, 06:33 AM	#361
GoldStripe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jville, FL Posts: 1,136	Duh, it's in your sig right? What are the dims on that tank? Is it acrylic? If I was doing a 6 or 8 foot tank, I think I would use two 4 way setups somehow and alternate them, possibly with timers to simulate the tide? I dunno, just a thought.

05/01/2006, 07:54 AM	#362
Tank102a Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Big Easy Posts: 53	The tank is glass. 96x24x30 The problem I have with two 4 ways or one 8 way is that to many holes in the aquarium migh weaken it. the glass is 1/2in. If you take 8ft into consideration to many holes are not a good idea. (That's what my local reef shop owner told me.)

05/01/2006, 08:25 AM	#363
GoldStripe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jville, FL Posts: 1,136	1/2 glass on a 8' tank? Wow, seems like it would be 3/4 or 5/8 at a minimum. I would seriously consult someone who knows more about the technical stuff before I'd drill. Half of those returns on two 4 ways would come over the top so you'd still just be drilling 4 holes theoretically.

05/02/2006, 05:10 PM	#364
mnmnm1951 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston Posts: 30	I have an Oceanic 180G Bowfront and want to put a OceansMotions 8-way on it. I cannot drill the bottom as it is tempered so my only real option is the back. It is very thick glass. Can I drill eight 1-3/4 inch holes for return bulkeads and two 2-inch holes for the Pump feed bulkeads? I have read the glass-drilling threads and cannot find anyone with experience with this many holes in glass. Can I basically wreck my tank with lots of stress cracks or just plain eventual breakage after filling with 180gallons of water? I found this pic - don't know where but if this is yours I would love to talk. Will this layout work in a glass tank?

05/02/2006, 09:01 PM	#365
GoldStripe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jville, FL Posts: 1,136	you may want to talk with Paul @ Ocean Motions. He's the one makes them and he consults tons of people. He has probably talked to someone with your same question. If it was me, I'd say yes but I'm not an expert. I have six holes in my 4' tank with no problems in wet testing.

05/02/2006, 09:30 PM	#366
swedish steel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 102	mnmnm1951-I'd say go for it. Just keep the edge of the holes at least 1 1/2 diameter of hole being drilled from edge of glass and at least 1/2 of diameter of hole distance from nearby hole. This is per a previously posted response on this thread. Each end glass of my 300 was drilled with four 1 7/8 holes, two 2 5/8 holes and one 3 3/16 hole for a total of 14 holes. I wanted both sides for viewing. Each end will support an Ocean Motions 4-way and two 1 1/2 drains from a weir type overflow.

05/02/2006, 10:23 PM	#367
vanceny Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New York City Posts: 287	goldstrip - thanks for taking the time to answer everyones questions. Now I have another, with 2 1.5" bulkheads in a overflow run by a mag 7, do you think it is necessary to use the elbows in the overflow for the modified external durso? This of couse to minimize the noise. If not necessary that would help in the dimensions and make the overflow much sleeker.

05/03/2006, 08:54 AM	#369
GoldStripe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jville, FL Posts: 1,136	Dual 1.5" drains with a Mag 7. Hmmm There are so many factors that come into play with the noise issue. The way my drains are, I don't think that a Mag 7 would make any noise but I've never tried it. My Iwaki 70 doesn't make that much drain noise. But I also am using the elbows inside and standpipes outside. If you're worried about space inside the tank, use a shallow internal and larger external box. I've seen it run that way with no elbows or bulkheads in the tank. Can't say if it was quiet or not though. Did I dodge that question well enough? hahaha, j/k.

05/03/2006, 09:35 AM	#370
vanceny Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New York City Posts: 287	that's an interesting idea.... Use a shallow internal overflow combined with an external that can house the standpipes.

05/04/2006, 11:42 AM	#371
vanceny Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New York City Posts: 287	So I drilled my first hole last night. It was a 60mm hole for a 1.5" bulkhead. It took over an hour on a 90 gal. Not sure what took so long but I was trying to be patient since I cracked my first tank. I dont think it should have taken so long. My arms are killing me! What's the recommended rpm for drilling? I'm using a cordless that has a maximum rpm of 950. Its variable speed so I just pull on the trigger about half way. I also used some pumping action about every 10 seconds or so. Maybe I'm not using enough pressure. I've read of others doing 4 holes in an hour. My cordless finanlly ran out of battery and I switched to a corded which seemed to work better. Any suggestions welcome to speed up my process. I used a template to start the hole then set up a putty dam to hold the water and then drilled away. Seemed like a lifetime. Vance

05/04/2006, 01:25 PM	#372
GoldStripe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jville, FL Posts: 1,136	I too used the cordless but quickly switched over to a corded. I found this which gives you guidelines on speed and pressure. Not sure how accurate it is though since it's the only table I've ever seen. My holes also took about an hour each. The people that drilled theirs faster are using more pressure or more speed. I think as long as the bit is cool you can increase either. I opted for more speed over pressure and checked the bit often for temp. It can't hurt to be overly cautious with the speed and/or pressure.

05/05/2006, 02:07 PM	#374
vanceny Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New York City Posts: 287	Drilled the second hole last night took about an hour again but did seem to go quicker. I actually started it in the wrong place so I have a ring scrtached into the glass about 1mm deep in the wrong spot. Shouldn't be an issue with integrity of the glass and its on the back which will be painted black. 4 more holes to go = 4 less hours of sleep no pipes hanging over the top and satisfaction of a job well done = pricelss!