To drill or not to drill

KristyS96 · 01/24/2009, 11:32 PM

Sooo... I'm starting a new 90 and was wondering what people's thoughts were on drilling a glass aquarium. To me, it seems like it might be a bad idea, but I'm no expert. Anyone around here had any experience with drilling glass?

krowleey · 01/24/2009, 11:39 PM

my thought would be, buy one already reef ready and drilled. looks nice. and its covered under warranty.

fitlerreef · 01/24/2009, 11:48 PM

If the alternative to not drilling is an external overflow, then I would strongly suggest drilling the tank. As long as the glass you want to drill isn't tempered, you shouldn't have a problem (you can tell if it's tempered by contacting the manufacturer).

This company provides drill bits and overflow kits:
http://www.glass-holes.com/

There are probably many others as well.

I think you'll be MUCH happier with a drilled setup as the outflow will not be contingent on maintaining a siphon.

KristyS96 · 01/24/2009, 11:55 PM

I have an overflow now and I hate it.

I'm open to using another if I absolutely have to. I bought the 90 for a really good price, but it wasn't drilled. I just didn't know if drilling it myself would be a good idea or not. Are there people around that would do this professionally?

KristyS96 · 01/25/2009, 12:01 AM

My next question would be, how many holes and how big should they be for a 90?

steelhead77 · 01/25/2009, 02:33 AM

I had my 72 gal Bow drilled at my local glass shop. It cost me $20.00 a hole and was ready the same day. Call around and ask if they drill aquariums. The first shop I called hadn't much experience, the second shop said they do it all the time. No guarantees on broken glass of course. I made my own overflow box for inside the tank, but I think you can buy one pretty readily. It's a much cleaner set-up compared to overflow tubes and returns over the back of the tank. I highly recommend it.

steelhead77 · 01/25/2009, 02:42 AM

On my 72 I went with a 1 inch out and 3/4 inch in. (i.d.'s of the bulkheads, of course.) I believe they drilled 1 1/2 inch holes on both. I went with 2 holes. I wish I would have went with three, two in the corners for the outs and one in the center for the in. On a 90 you might want to go 1 1/2 inch out and 1 inch in. Get your bulkheads first so they know what size hole to drill.
My $.02

Good luck.

808-340 · 01/25/2009, 03:25 AM

I would just drill it or have someone do it for you... it's easy and fast if you have the proper glass drill bit... I just did my 90g...

MileHighFish · 01/25/2009, 05:10 AM

Drill it!! its not tough I used veggie oil to keep cool and done in about 5min.. I used 1 1/2" for the intake. Good luck

fitlerreef · 01/25/2009, 05:43 AM

Others have provided sound advice. Many good saltwater shops will drill for you as will most glass shops. Just be 100% sure that the pane you want to drill isn't tempered. In 90g size, many manufacturers (maybe even most) will temper the bottom panel - which means you have to drill the sides not the bottom.

Buy your bulkheads first - you probably want something like a 1.5" drain and a 1" inflow. Then, figure out how large the drilled hole must be to accommodate the bulkhead.

There are many videos on youtube of how to do the drilling (and how not to drill). Basically, most people will use a diamond bit specifically designed for glass - you actually grind away at the glass with this bit. Put the tank on its side. Make sure to put something soft (a towel, for example) on the inside of the tank on the opposite side from drilling such that the circle you drill out won't fall and break the other side of the tank. Then, use some plumber's putty (or silly putty or anything that holds water) to make a ring around the hole you're about to drill. Fill this hole with water (some people use vegetable oil). Then, start drilling the glass. DO NOT put any pressure on the glass beyond the weight of the drill itself. This is critical. It will take several minutes to grind through the glass. Just be patient and keep the bit lubricated.

KristyS96 · 01/25/2009, 11:45 AM

Thanks guys! I will most certainly be drilling the tank.

As always you've been quite helpful.

01/24/2009, 11:32 PM	#1
KristyS96 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 160	To drill or not to drill Sooo... I'm starting a new 90 and was wondering what people's thoughts were on drilling a glass aquarium. To me, it seems like it might be a bad idea, but I'm no expert. Anyone around here had any experience with drilling glass?

01/25/2009, 05:10 AM	#9
MileHighFish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NM. Posts: 1,722	Drill it!! its not tough I used veggie oil to keep cool and done in about 5min.. I used 1 1/2" for the intake. Good luck __________________ See "Red House" for pics!! I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're goin', and hook up with them later. Mitch Hedberg Current Tank Info: Reef tank, 100 gal Lee Mar polished.. 60 sump.. 800 watts mh 20k radium..Ran on "Taiwan HQI Ballast" 330 watt VHO.. 48 watt compacts (dawn/dusk).. sps/lps tank..

01/24/2009, 11:39 PM	#2
krowleey Nor Cal Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 533	my thought would be, buy one already reef ready and drilled. looks nice. and its covered under warranty.

01/24/2009, 11:48 PM	#3
fitlerreef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 45	If the alternative to not drilling is an external overflow, then I would strongly suggest drilling the tank. As long as the glass you want to drill isn't tempered, you shouldn't have a problem (you can tell if it's tempered by contacting the manufacturer). This company provides drill bits and overflow kits: http://www.glass-holes.com/ There are probably many others as well. I think you'll be MUCH happier with a drilled setup as the outflow will not be contingent on maintaining a siphon.

01/24/2009, 11:55 PM	#4
KristyS96 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 160	I have an overflow now and I hate it. I'm open to using another if I absolutely have to. I bought the 90 for a really good price, but it wasn't drilled. I just didn't know if drilling it myself would be a good idea or not. Are there people around that would do this professionally?

01/25/2009, 12:01 AM	#5
KristyS96 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 160	My next question would be, how many holes and how big should they be for a 90?

01/25/2009, 02:33 AM	#6
steelhead77 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Albany, Oregon Posts: 1,117	I had my 72 gal Bow drilled at my local glass shop. It cost me $20.00 a hole and was ready the same day. Call around and ask if they drill aquariums. The first shop I called hadn't much experience, the second shop said they do it all the time. No guarantees on broken glass of course. I made my own overflow box for inside the tank, but I think you can buy one pretty readily. It's a much cleaner set-up compared to overflow tubes and returns over the back of the tank. I highly recommend it.

01/25/2009, 02:42 AM	#7
steelhead77 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Albany, Oregon Posts: 1,117	On my 72 I went with a 1 inch out and 3/4 inch in. (i.d.'s of the bulkheads, of course.) I believe they drilled 1 1/2 inch holes on both. I went with 2 holes. I wish I would have went with three, two in the corners for the outs and one in the center for the in. On a 90 you might want to go 1 1/2 inch out and 1 inch in. Get your bulkheads first so they know what size hole to drill. My $.02 Good luck.

01/25/2009, 03:25 AM	#8
808-340 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Far Away... Posts: 108	I would just drill it or have someone do it for you... it's easy and fast if you have the proper glass drill bit... I just did my 90g...

01/25/2009, 05:43 AM	#10
fitlerreef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 45	Others have provided sound advice. Many good saltwater shops will drill for you as will most glass shops. Just be 100% sure that the pane you want to drill isn't tempered. In 90g size, many manufacturers (maybe even most) will temper the bottom panel - which means you have to drill the sides not the bottom. Buy your bulkheads first - you probably want something like a 1.5" drain and a 1" inflow. Then, figure out how large the drilled hole must be to accommodate the bulkhead. There are many videos on youtube of how to do the drilling (and how not to drill). Basically, most people will use a diamond bit specifically designed for glass - you actually grind away at the glass with this bit. Put the tank on its side. Make sure to put something soft (a towel, for example) on the inside of the tank on the opposite side from drilling such that the circle you drill out won't fall and break the other side of the tank. Then, use some plumber's putty (or silly putty or anything that holds water) to make a ring around the hole you're about to drill. Fill this hole with water (some people use vegetable oil). Then, start drilling the glass. DO NOT put any pressure on the glass beyond the weight of the drill itself. This is critical. It will take several minutes to grind through the glass. Just be patient and keep the bit lubricated.

01/25/2009, 11:45 AM	#11
KristyS96 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 160	Thanks guys! I will most certainly be drilling the tank. As always you've been quite helpful.