Drilling/Breaking tanks poll

[softieatheart]

I am wondering how often DIY'ers break their tank when drilling it themselves.

If you drilled a tank and it was no big deal, please post here. If you drilled a 200 gallon and you still have nightmares, we want to know that too.

If something went wrong, what was it operator error, or just rotten luck?

Good results, bad results, mixed results, what is the skinny?

[r-balljunkie]

my 4 year old drilled a couple of holes in my old 100 gallon......its pretty simple, go slow.make sure youre not drilling tempered.

c

[jerpa]

In the last month I've drilled about ten holes in various tanks ranging from 10-120 gallons. I ran into no problems and these were the first holes I had ever drilled in a tank. The only "difficult" part is dealing with the nerves when drilling thru your brand new $400+ dollar tank.

[RubberFrog]

Yep, the only hard part is getting the nerve to do it. Go slow, keep the bit wet, and try to unclench your jaw.

I drilled my tank upright, with 60 gallons of water still in it (95g tank).

[Chromey316]

Ive drilled upwards of 100+ holes now. I have never broken a tank.

Take your time.

[capschamp]

When i drilled i found the key was keeping it wet. Literally ran the garden hose over the hole as it was being drilled.

[Lynnmw1208]

I am a woman and I drilled my own tank if that helps. I drilled 4 holes (2 returns and 2 drains). Just be sure to use plumbers putty and making a guide out of wood helps to steady the drill as well. Be sure to put something on the inside of the tank so the piece that falls out doesn't crack the other side as well. I got a kit from glass-holes to do mine.

It wasn't so bad though.

[softieatheart]

I am pleasantly surprised! I knew lots of people were successful at drilling their tanks, but had no idea the success rate was so high.

[Raggamuffin]

my current set up required 9 holes drilled in 5 tanks total. one tank broke not when drilled but while plumbing because the hole was slightly off and caused to much stress, so I had to drill another tank twice to replace it.

[ReeferEric]

I was planning to drill my own tank when I get one but I guess we'll see. LOL

[doctorgori]

I've drilled mayber 100+ 10's...broke about 1- in 10
5 gals, about 1 in 5
20L none broke

55G & up: none broke

10's break easily, esp with a cheap or dull bit or lack of patients

[Danzig]

I drilled my 72 bowfront first time noob with no practice was a piece of cake. Im going to be drilling a return tonight as well

[syrinx]

I dont drill tanks, but have had several hundred drilled. Very little breakage- usually small sizes. I have had a similiar number of failures from glass shops, as I have had from friends who drill for me.

[Floowid]

I worked in a LFS which did installations and maintenance. I drilled hundreds in the time I worked there, only broke one, a 55g with a tempered bottom. The guy wanted to see what would happen, it was his choice, so I started drilling and he saw what happened.

Before I started working there I had never drilled glass, and in my first week the boss just handed me the drill, and misc tools, told me how to do it, and away I went. It was really that easy. Don't be afraid to drill glass. Take it slow, keep it wet, tape off the inside to keep from chipping as you break through, and place a towel or other padding below so the blank doesn't fall and break the glass below (where applicable).

[miwoodar]

Originally Posted by doctorgori

I've drilled mayber 100+ 10's...broke about 1- in 10
5 gals, about 1 in 5
20L none broke

55G & up: none broke

10's break easily, esp with a cheap or dull bit or lack of patients

I've never broken a tank but I've always expected the above to be true. The smaller the tank the higher the chances of breakage....small panes of thin glass makes it more challenging. Fortunately they are cheap to replace.

[Khemul]

Originally Posted by jerpa

In the last month I've drilled about ten holes in various tanks ranging from 10-120 gallons. I ran into no problems and these were the first holes I had ever drilled in a tank. The only "difficult" part is dealing with the nerves when drilling thru your brand new $400+ dollar tank.

Agreed.

I've been forbidden from drilling the big tanks for that reason.


I've drilled a couple 5 gallon tanks. Both came out perfectly fine. No problems drilling. Now setting up plumbing on such a drilled tank...I have two failed 5 gallon tanks sitting somewhere around here.