Step-by-Step: Drilling Holes in Your Glass Tank for Bulkheads - Page 21

impur · 10/12/2006, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JustOneMoreTank
That is not a big crack in the third picture running from the top of the tank to the bottom of the tank is it?

No, thats were the pool of water ends. Looks like a crack though huh!

93blackgt5.0 · 10/12/2006, 09:42 AM

The closed loop is exactly that, it makes water movement and flow without the use of powerheads. To me that means less "stuff" to clutter the tank and less heat generated by additional pumps in the water. I think if you use dual one inch inlets the actual "vacuum" is less, but you should use some kind of screen just in case. I am wanting to do a closed loop but with a small pump, I dont want a ton of water movement to begin with.

As far as placement, I think most use the back of the tank. Down lower for inlet and about mid lever for outlet. Unless you have a really large tank, then I have seen them on the sides as well.

Eric

donald altman · 10/20/2006, 05:57 AM

Hey gang. my bit never arrived but I talked to Mr. Lau over email and he is going to send me anouther drill bit.

Mr. Lau is a very professional salesmen and has been great
to do buisness with. He responds very quickly to emails and is quick to make things right. Please if you guys need drill bits do yourself a favor and buy them from this guy.. The price is great and the service is even better. I can't wait to get my 60mm bit
and get some holes in my tank.

JustOneMoreTank · 10/20/2006, 07:14 AM

I used someone over in China who I cannot remember the name. Later I needed more bits and I could not find him selling on Ebay??? Then I used Mr Lau for my second order. I found both to be excellent Ebayers.

Good luck with the 60mm !

dtaranath · 10/20/2006, 06:30 PM

his bits work excellent also.

evilpsych · 10/20/2006, 07:33 PM

Ahem..

Noone in this thread or hobby consider Harbor Freight? They're the king of imported Chinese tools.. they have the exact diamond hole-saws it seems as the ebay sellers, and most large towns have a harbor freight. Heck, the Tungsten Carbide set doesn't look too shabby either.

Harbor Freight Diamond hole saw search

lllosingit · 10/20/2006, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by evilpsych
Ahem..

Noone in this thread or hobby consider Harbor Freight? They're the king of imported Chinese tools.. they have the exact diamond hole-saws it seems as the ebay sellers, and most large towns have a harbor freight. Heck, the Tungsten Carbide set doesn't look too shabby either.

Harbor Freight Diamond hole saw search

I don't think they have bits big enough, for a one inch bulkhead you need a larger bit, I read somewhere that a 1" bulhead needs a 1 3/4" hole to fit.

dtaranath · 10/21/2006, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lllosingit
I don't think they have bits big enough, for a one inch bulkhead you need a larger bit, I read somewhere that a 1" bulhead needs a 1 3/4" hole to fit.

you're exactly right.

I tried Harbor Freight. They didn't have the hole saws large enough for either a 1" or 1.5" bulkhead. As lllosingit said, the 1" needs a 1 3/4" hole. If I remember correctly, the largest hole saw harbor freight had was 1".

93blackgt5.0 · 10/22/2006, 09:45 AM

I ordered a set of drill bits from him also. I havent received them yet, it has been 8 days. I am going to email him.

I got three bits for one inch holes, two bits for 3/4 inch holes, and a ten piece set for 3mm holes. All the bits with shipping was 35.00. Not a bad price at all.

Eric

Reef Developer · 10/22/2006, 08:46 PM

Sorry if this has been asked (can't fathom reading all 21 pages right now), but I drilled 3 holes today and all went fine.... except some minor chipping. Is this bad.... could it lead to a stress crack (or do the round holes provide for enough "structural" integrity)?

Thanks-
Kevin

donald altman · 10/23/2006, 07:00 AM

Can somone link me to a place to purchase bulkheads that fit the 45mm one inch and the 60mm 1.5 inch bulkheads.
Everyone says buy the bulkhead then the bit but i've got the bits now to find the bulkheads. Seems like alot of people have purchased the same bulkheads has anyone made a post that shows bulkheads that they used with the bits?

swedish steel · 10/23/2006, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by donald altman
Can somone link me to a place to purchase bulkheads that fit the 45mm one inch and the 60mm 1.5 inch bulkheads.
Everyone says buy the bulkhead then the bit but i've got the bits now to find the bulkheads. Seems like alot of people have purchased the same bulkheads has anyone made a post that shows bulkheads that they used with the bits?

I use plumbingsupply.com

donald altman · 10/23/2006, 11:17 AM

do you know what size you used for lau's 45mm or 60mm bit
from them?

donald altman · 10/23/2006, 11:17 AM

do you know what size you used for lau's 45mm or 60mm bit
from them?

donald altman · 10/23/2006, 11:17 AM

do you know what size you used for lau's 45mm or 60mm bit
from them?

medic29 · 10/23/2006, 11:30 AM

the 45mm is for 1inch bulkhead

donald altman · 10/23/2006, 11:51 AM

I was told that the 60 is for inch and a half.. but someone said the od diameter calculations are tight for certain fitting i want the exact right one and I am hoping asomone eles that has used laus bits also can tell me what exact bulkhead they used so i can just use them knowing they are going to work. I want to use a 1.5 inch and 1 inch.. thanks gang

Holmez221b · 10/23/2006, 12:07 PM

What's the deal... I read a post saying that all 55's are tempered so thay can't be drilled??? Mine was drilled. and I read several threads stating that people have drilled their 55's with no problem???

Reef Developer · 10/23/2006, 01:50 PM

They were probably saying the bottom was tempered, but they drilled the back. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but when a tank is tempered its only the bottom (not the sides).

Kevin

Holmez221b · 10/23/2006, 02:00 PM

I'm not exactly sure either... but my 55 is drilled on the bottom for my overfllows.. The reason I was wondering was because I have an old 55 I want to use for a sump and I plan on drilling it myself.

DMBillies · 10/23/2006, 03:22 PM

Tempered glass cannot be drilled. Usually only the bottom of tanks are tempered, so many of them can still be drilled on the sides. However, I don't think it is 100% safe to assume that only the bottom of a tempered tank is tempered. Most tanks have stickers on them telling you whether they are tempered or not (and whether it's just the bottom) when you buy them. The problem is, the stickers have a way of disappearing and many tanks that people are wanting to drill are used (if you are going to spend the $$ to buy new it is probably worth it just to buy a tank that is already reef-ready). Contacting the manufacturer to be safe would be the course of action I'd recommend.

klam114 · 10/23/2006, 06:05 PM

is there a easy way to find out if your tank is tempered or not i have a 90 gallon 48x18x24. on the website it said tempered bottom but not sure about the sides. please help

medic29 · 10/23/2006, 08:10 PM

It is said you can use two polarlized lenses to see if it is tempered...you can see a pattern.

swedish steel · 10/23/2006, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by donald altman
do you know what size you used for lau's 45mm or 60mm bit
from them?

When buying bits, it's best to know the bulkhead hole size needed first. Then order the correct hole size. For instance, the heavier duty schedule 80 bulkhead fittings will probably require a larger hole. The one inch bulkheads I use require a 1 7/8 inch hole. 1 inch = 25.4 mm therefore 1.875 x 25.4 = 47.625mm. Lau does have 48 mm hole saws. HTH

donald altman · 10/24/2006, 06:13 AM

hey 93blackmustang after waiting anouther day or two for the bits lau told me he sent anouther set of them to me.. 2 days after that I recived the first order we thought had been lost.
My guess is it is just taking a tad longer to get to you then some of the other peoples due to all kinds of things that could have happend and slowed it.

He will send replacements if they are lost but I can't see how he can afford to.

So now for 9 dollars I am getting 2 diamond coated drillbits
and shipping two times to me was 8 of that 9 bucks.
I am going to do the right thing and pay for the other drill bit as soon as I receive it even though I only needed one.
No use is ripping off someone willing to loose money in order to do the right thing for me. I like Lau and seems to be a great product too. I looked at the bit that I do have and it seems like it is going to work great.

Now that I have it I am on the hunt for the right bulkheads for it.
and how to run the plumbing. (the fun part)

I still have to get a pump too !

I think I am going to cut 2 upper returns 2 lower returns and 2 supply. the 2 uppers will drain the tank to the reugium and then the up supply will be U tubed over the top. The two lower returns and intakes will be on a SCWD in a closed loop.

10/12/2006, 09:42 AM	#502
93blackgt5.0 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Wichita Falls, TX Posts: 119	The closed loop is exactly that, it makes water movement and flow without the use of powerheads. To me that means less "stuff" to clutter the tank and less heat generated by additional pumps in the water. I think if you use dual one inch inlets the actual "vacuum" is less, but you should use some kind of screen just in case. I am wanting to do a closed loop but with a small pump, I dont want a ton of water movement to begin with. As far as placement, I think most use the back of the tank. Down lower for inlet and about mid lever for outlet. Unless you have a really large tank, then I have seen them on the sides as well. Eric __________________ 75 gallon reef with 100 plus pounds live rock and many corals. Current USA Outer Orbit fixture 150x2 HQI with 130x2 PC. 125 with 55 sump in the works. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon reef

10/20/2006, 05:57 AM	#503
donald altman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Florida/Georgia Posts: 632	Hey gang. my bit never arrived but I talked to Mr. Lau over email and he is going to send me anouther drill bit. Mr. Lau is a very professional salesmen and has been great to do buisness with. He responds very quickly to emails and is quick to make things right. Please if you guys need drill bits do yourself a favor and buy them from this guy.. The price is great and the service is even better. I can't wait to get my 60mm bit and get some holes in my tank. __________________ -donaltman3 Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef...

10/20/2006, 06:30 PM	#505
dtaranath Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 542	his bits work excellent also. __________________ ______________________ 220g mixed reef

10/22/2006, 09:45 AM	#509
93blackgt5.0 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Wichita Falls, TX Posts: 119	I ordered a set of drill bits from him also. I havent received them yet, it has been 8 days. I am going to email him. I got three bits for one inch holes, two bits for 3/4 inch holes, and a ten piece set for 3mm holes. All the bits with shipping was 35.00. Not a bad price at all. Eric __________________ 75 gallon reef with 100 plus pounds live rock and many corals. Current USA Outer Orbit fixture 150x2 HQI with 130x2 PC. 125 with 55 sump in the works. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon reef

10/23/2006, 07:00 AM	#511
donald altman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Florida/Georgia Posts: 632	Can somone link me to a place to purchase bulkheads that fit the 45mm one inch and the 60mm 1.5 inch bulkheads. Everyone says buy the bulkhead then the bit but i've got the bits now to find the bulkheads. Seems like alot of people have purchased the same bulkheads has anyone made a post that shows bulkheads that they used with the bits? __________________ -donaltman3 Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef...

10/20/2006, 07:14 AM	#504
JustOneMoreTank Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 967	I used someone over in China who I cannot remember the name. Later I needed more bits and I could not find him selling on Ebay??? Then I used Mr Lau for my second order. I found both to be excellent Ebayers. Good luck with the 60mm !

10/20/2006, 07:33 PM	#506
evilpsych Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 45	Ahem.. Noone in this thread or hobby consider Harbor Freight? They're the king of imported Chinese tools.. they have the exact diamond hole-saws it seems as the ebay sellers, and most large towns have a harbor freight. Heck, the Tungsten Carbide set doesn't look too shabby either. Harbor Freight Diamond hole saw search

10/22/2006, 08:46 PM	#510
Reef Developer Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Annandale, Va Posts: 178	Sorry if this has been asked (can't fathom reading all 21 pages right now), but I drilled 3 holes today and all went fine.... except some minor chipping. Is this bad.... could it lead to a stress crack (or do the round holes provide for enough "structural" integrity)? Thanks- Kevin

10/23/2006, 11:17 AM	#513
donald altman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Florida/Georgia Posts: 632	do you know what size you used for lau's 45mm or 60mm bit from them? __________________ -donaltman3 Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef...

10/23/2006, 11:17 AM	#514
donald altman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Florida/Georgia Posts: 632	do you know what size you used for lau's 45mm or 60mm bit from them? __________________ -donaltman3 Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef...

10/23/2006, 11:17 AM	#515
donald altman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Florida/Georgia Posts: 632	do you know what size you used for lau's 45mm or 60mm bit from them? __________________ -donaltman3 Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef...

10/23/2006, 11:30 AM	#516
medic29 Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pesotum, IL Posts: 2,478	the 45mm is for 1inch bulkhead __________________ Rick Current Tank Info: 20 gal display w/10 gal sump.

10/23/2006, 11:51 AM	#517
donald altman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Florida/Georgia Posts: 632	I was told that the 60 is for inch and a half.. but someone said the od diameter calculations are tight for certain fitting i want the exact right one and I am hoping asomone eles that has used laus bits also can tell me what exact bulkhead they used so i can just use them knowing they are going to work. I want to use a 1.5 inch and 1 inch.. thanks gang __________________ -donaltman3 Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef...

10/23/2006, 12:07 PM	#518
Holmez221b Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Danbury, CT Posts: 273	What's the deal... I read a post saying that all 55's are tempered so thay can't be drilled??? Mine was drilled. and I read several threads stating that people have drilled their 55's with no problem???

10/23/2006, 01:50 PM	#519
Reef Developer Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Annandale, Va Posts: 178	They were probably saying the bottom was tempered, but they drilled the back. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but when a tank is tempered its only the bottom (not the sides). Kevin

10/23/2006, 02:00 PM	#520
Holmez221b Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Danbury, CT Posts: 273	I'm not exactly sure either... but my 55 is drilled on the bottom for my overfllows.. The reason I was wondering was because I have an old 55 I want to use for a sump and I plan on drilling it myself.

10/23/2006, 03:22 PM	#521
DMBillies Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 2,086	Tempered glass cannot be drilled. Usually only the bottom of tanks are tempered, so many of them can still be drilled on the sides. However, I don't think it is 100% safe to assume that only the bottom of a tempered tank is tempered. Most tanks have stickers on them telling you whether they are tempered or not (and whether it's just the bottom) when you buy them. The problem is, the stickers have a way of disappearing and many tanks that people are wanting to drill are used (if you are going to spend the $$ to buy new it is probably worth it just to buy a tank that is already reef-ready). Contacting the manufacturer to be safe would be the course of action I'd recommend. __________________ Brian

10/23/2006, 06:05 PM	#522
klam114 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 685	is there a easy way to find out if your tank is tempered or not i have a 90 gallon 48x18x24. on the website it said tempered bottom but not sure about the sides. please help

10/23/2006, 08:10 PM	#523
medic29 Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pesotum, IL Posts: 2,478	It is said you can use two polarlized lenses to see if it is tempered...you can see a pattern. __________________ Rick Current Tank Info: 20 gal display w/10 gal sump.

10/24/2006, 06:13 AM	#525
donald altman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Florida/Georgia Posts: 632	hey 93blackmustang after waiting anouther day or two for the bits lau told me he sent anouther set of them to me.. 2 days after that I recived the first order we thought had been lost. My guess is it is just taking a tad longer to get to you then some of the other peoples due to all kinds of things that could have happend and slowed it. He will send replacements if they are lost but I can't see how he can afford to. So now for 9 dollars I am getting 2 diamond coated drillbits and shipping two times to me was 8 of that 9 bucks. I am going to do the right thing and pay for the other drill bit as soon as I receive it even though I only needed one. No use is ripping off someone willing to loose money in order to do the right thing for me. I like Lau and seems to be a great product too. I looked at the bit that I do have and it seems like it is going to work great. Now that I have it I am on the hunt for the right bulkheads for it. and how to run the plumbing. (the fun part) I still have to get a pump too ! I think I am going to cut 2 upper returns 2 lower returns and 2 supply. the 2 uppers will drain the tank to the reugium and then the up supply will be U tubed over the top. The two lower returns and intakes will be on a SCWD in a closed loop. __________________ -donaltman3 Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef...