How many people have had success drilling their tanks and how many have not?

FloridaFishMan · 01/16/2006, 03:05 PM

Hi,
I am trying to see what ratio of people have had success drilling their tanks and how many people have cracked their tanks in the process.
Chris

FloridaFishMan · 01/16/2006, 03:49 PM

If you could please also include the size of the tank that you drilled.

joestreich · 01/16/2006, 04:08 PM

i have a drilled a 40 gal and 10 gal. Neither cracked while drilling. However the 10 gal has cracked since that point....due to my own stupidity. You know, final adjustments to tank location after connecting the PVC.

I thought the process of drilling was pretty easy. The only advice I have would be to take your time and rinse the diamond bit regularly.

Wiskey · 01/16/2006, 04:53 PM

I have drilled a 29,50,three 10's, a 15, ect,... and the only ones i had problems with were the ones with tempered glass, OOPS. I did not know they had tempered glass when I started drilling.

Whiskey

Rjp761 · 01/16/2006, 04:59 PM

Hi
a 30 and 2 10 gallon tanks all with a dremel.New bit was used everytime.
Good luck
RalphP

know-it-all · 01/16/2006, 05:00 PM

any where from a 15 tall to a 120.

the only one I've cracked was a tempered tank and a 10 gal.
(I was not aware the tank was tempered)

at first I made my own hole saw with brass tubing and diamond compound
but the drill bit is just so much easier.

Andrew · 01/16/2006, 05:03 PM

I used a dimond dremel tool to drill 2- 10 gallon tanks and both times worked.

Finished:

Drilling:

FloridaFishMan · 01/16/2006, 05:18 PM

Did you smooth out the hole with a straight bit or just the regular bit you used to cut with?

Andrew · 01/16/2006, 05:20 PM

I used the same dimond dremel bit to get it more rounder.

DKKA · 01/16/2006, 08:05 PM

You should also include Rotozip with tile cutting bit in the poll.

I drilled two holes in my 30gal cube with no problems. Easy, and fast. I also have dremel style diamond coated bits that I tried out on some scrap. The Rotozip was way easier/faster.

Dan

going_reef · 01/16/2006, 09:40 PM

I drilled a 30 gallon tank with a drill press and a diamond tipped bit. I took my time and did not have any problems.

FloridaFishMan · 01/17/2006, 08:10 AM

DK,
I have seen dremel's that spin at 35,000rpm what is the rotozip's rpms? It seems lots of people are using the diamond hole bits. How often do you have to change out the dremel/diamond hole saw bits?

NoSchwag · 01/17/2006, 08:20 AM

Use a 7$ dimond hole bit from ebay, you will be surprised how easy it goes.

I drilled 4 holes so far with mine.

DKKA · 01/17/2006, 08:32 AM

The rotozip is 30,000rpm. But I believe the rotozip has a lot more power than the rotozip. You can really feel the torque when you hit the on button.

I cut three holes with one tile cutting bit. More might have been possible, but the bit was getting a bit dull. I don't know how that compares to the diamond/dremels.

Dan

Agu · 01/17/2006, 09:42 AM

10 gallon with dremel......... worked fine.

kbmdale · 01/17/2006, 10:25 AM

I used the Dremel ADVANTAGE and a carbide cutting bit, The advantage is better that the rotozip IMO. 35000rpm. Anyway as far as how many holes on one bit, lets see I did 3 2" holes in a 120, a 10"wier on a 30, 3 1.5" holes in a piece of 3/8's glass for my overflow and about 4 holes for 3/4 bulkheads all on one bit...Very fast and easy way to cut glass.

Ploppers · 01/17/2006, 12:26 PM

I also used a cheap diamond bit from ebay. I drilled a 3" hole in a 40 gallon breeder with it. Drilling it was easy. Convincing the girlfriend I could was near impossible.

FloridaFishMan · 01/17/2006, 03:10 PM

kbmdale, how think is the glass on that 120?

I am glad to see that most people have had success with drilling their tanks. I am going to upgrade shortly and knowing that I can drill my tank is good to hear. I think I will try it when I get my new tank. I am definitly going to practice on some scrap first.

Andrew · 01/17/2006, 03:17 PM

Btw, I got a dimond dremel bits from a local hardware store ( Menards ) for $7

kbmdale · 01/17/2006, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FloridaFishMan
kbmdale, how think is the glass on that 120?

I am glad to see that most people have had success with drilling their tanks. I am going to upgrade shortly and knowing that I can drill my tank is good to hear. I think I will try it when I get my new tank. I am definitly going to practice on some scrap first.

It was 3/8's thick. The trick is constant stream of water carrying away the particles and cooling the glass while you cut. Constant cooling will keep a bit sharper longer. I wouldn't even waste my money on a diomond tip dremel bit, thicker glass will eat it up before you even get going good. With the carbide cutting bit you can cut a 2" whole in about 5-7 minutes. If you have done it before 2-5.

Andrew · 01/17/2006, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by joestreich
i have a drilled a 40 gal and 10 gal. Neither cracked while drilling. However the 10 gal has cracked since that point....due to my own stupidity. You know, final adjustments to tank location after connecting the PVC.

I thought the process of drilling was pretty easy. The only advice I have would be to take your time and rinse the diamond bit regularly.

To Reef Central

Scuba_Dave · 03/24/2006, 08:09 PM

Drilled (2) 2" + holes in my 125g, drilled 2 holes in my 75g, drilled one hole in my 55g, drilled one hole in my 30g, drilled a hole in a 40g cube
all succesful

MCary · 03/25/2006, 11:17 AM

Drilling holes in thicker glass with a diamond core bit is quite easy. Glass less that 1/4 inch can be trickier. Not that its harder to drill, just that you need to be more careful. If you wobble the bit or punch through to fast you can break the pane. Straight down, nice and slow, grind all the way through, don't let it punch through the last little bit like you would if drilling. Your not drilling, your grinding.

sixpackrt · 04/03/2006, 12:00 PM

i drilled over 50 holes no problems at all

Stile2 · 04/03/2006, 12:36 PM

Why is the poll closed?

I have had success with both of those methods, plus using a rotozip with a ceramic tile bit.

I love drilling tanks, its fun

Keith

View Poll Results: Which have you used?
I cracked it w/ a dremel	1	2.27%
I cracked it w/ a diamond hole bit	1	2.27%
I had success w/ a dremel	14	31.82%
I had success w/ a diamond hole bit	23	52.27%
I have used both w/ success	4	9.09%
I failed w/ one but I did it incorrectly	1	2.27%
Voters: 44. You may not vote on this poll

01/16/2006, 03:05 PM	#1
FloridaFishMan Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 452	How many people have had success drilling their tanks and how many have not? Hi, I am trying to see what ratio of people have had success drilling their tanks and how many people have cracked their tanks in the process. Chris __________________ Is this guy reef safe? Current Tank Info: 30 gal reef tank

01/16/2006, 03:49 PM	#2
FloridaFishMan Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 452	If you could please also include the size of the tank that you drilled. __________________ Is this guy reef safe? Current Tank Info: 30 gal reef tank

01/16/2006, 04:53 PM	#4
Wiskey Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Fallbrook, CA Posts: 3,049	I have drilled a 29,50,three 10's, a 15, ect,... and the only ones i had problems with were the ones with tempered glass, OOPS. I did not know they had tempered glass when I started drilling. Whiskey __________________ This video shows 15 months of coral growth in my tank in a 30 second timelapse: https://youtu.be/bF6C57aTDEo

01/16/2006, 05:00 PM	#6
know-it-all Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: in my now frozen chair (aka Wisconsin) Posts: 1,488	any where from a 15 tall to a 120. the only one I've cracked was a tempered tank and a 10 gal. (I was not aware the tank was tempered) at first I made my own hole saw with brass tubing and diamond compound but the drill bit is just so much easier. __________________ current tank 94 corner, SPS/LPS basement sump

01/16/2006, 04:08 PM	#3
joestreich Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: wi Posts: 36	i have a drilled a 40 gal and 10 gal. Neither cracked while drilling. However the 10 gal has cracked since that point....due to my own stupidity. You know, final adjustments to tank location after connecting the PVC. I thought the process of drilling was pretty easy. The only advice I have would be to take your time and rinse the diamond bit regularly.

01/16/2006, 04:59 PM	#5
Rjp761 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Vero Beach Florida Posts: 7	Hi a 30 and 2 10 gallon tanks all with a dremel.New bit was used everytime. Good luck RalphP

01/16/2006, 05:03 PM	#7
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	I used a dimond dremel tool to drill 2- 10 gallon tanks and both times worked. Finished: Drilling:

01/16/2006, 05:18 PM	#8
FloridaFishMan Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 452	Did you smooth out the hole with a straight bit or just the regular bit you used to cut with? __________________ Is this guy reef safe? Current Tank Info: 30 gal reef tank

01/16/2006, 05:20 PM	#9
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	I used the same dimond dremel bit to get it more rounder.

01/16/2006, 08:05 PM	#10
DKKA Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 769	You should also include Rotozip with tile cutting bit in the poll. I drilled two holes in my 30gal cube with no problems. Easy, and fast. I also have dremel style diamond coated bits that I tried out on some scrap. The Rotozip was way easier/faster. Dan __________________ THIS SPACE FOR RENT

01/16/2006, 09:40 PM	#11
going_reef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NW Burbs of Chicago Posts: 46	I drilled a 30 gallon tank with a drill press and a diamond tipped bit. I took my time and did not have any problems.

01/17/2006, 08:10 AM	#12
FloridaFishMan Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 452	DK, I have seen dremel's that spin at 35,000rpm what is the rotozip's rpms? It seems lots of people are using the diamond hole bits. How often do you have to change out the dremel/diamond hole saw bits? __________________ Is this guy reef safe? Current Tank Info: 30 gal reef tank

01/17/2006, 08:20 AM	#13
NoSchwag Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterbury, Ct. Posts: 2,530	Use a 7$ dimond hole bit from ebay, you will be surprised how easy it goes. I drilled 4 holes so far with mine. __________________ Keeping low levels of po4 without chemicals since 2005. Current Tank Info: Beckett skimmed, penductor flowed, luminarc lighted, UV sterilized, litermeter dosed, Aquacontroller controlled, SPS dominated, 120 BB tank.

01/17/2006, 08:32 AM	#14
DKKA Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 769	The rotozip is 30,000rpm. But I believe the rotozip has a lot more power than the rotozip. You can really feel the torque when you hit the on button. I cut three holes with one tile cutting bit. More might have been possible, but the bit was getting a bit dull. I don't know how that compares to the diamond/dremels. Dan __________________ THIS SPACE FOR RENT

01/17/2006, 09:42 AM	#15
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	10 gallon with dremel......... worked fine. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

01/17/2006, 10:25 AM	#16
kbmdale Moved On Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: fayetteville, TN Posts: 2,604	I used the Dremel ADVANTAGE and a carbide cutting bit, The advantage is better that the rotozip IMO. 35000rpm. Anyway as far as how many holes on one bit, lets see I did 3 2" holes in a 120, a 10"wier on a 30, 3 1.5" holes in a piece of 3/8's glass for my overflow and about 4 holes for 3/4 bulkheads all on one bit...Very fast and easy way to cut glass.

01/17/2006, 12:26 PM	#17
Ploppers Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Idaho Posts: 320	I also used a cheap diamond bit from ebay. I drilled a 3" hole in a 40 gallon breeder with it. Drilling it was easy. Convincing the girlfriend I could was near impossible. __________________ "Those who would give up a little freedom to get a little security shall soon have neither." Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: 150 gallon tank w/ 40gallon sump/fuge. 2x 250W 12K Reeflux MH, 2x 140W VHO actinic. majestic angel, breeding true Perc clowns, powder brown tang, foxface, wheelers watchman goby, tiger pistol shrimp, a couple BTAs, maxima clam, bunch of coral, etc..

01/17/2006, 03:10 PM	#18
FloridaFishMan Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 452	kbmdale, how think is the glass on that 120? I am glad to see that most people have had success with drilling their tanks. I am going to upgrade shortly and knowing that I can drill my tank is good to hear. I think I will try it when I get my new tank. I am definitly going to practice on some scrap first. __________________ Is this guy reef safe? Current Tank Info: 30 gal reef tank

01/17/2006, 03:17 PM	#19
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	Btw, I got a dimond dremel bits from a local hardware store ( Menards ) for $7

03/24/2006, 08:09 PM	#22
Scuba_Dave EMERTXE YID Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Asylum, South of Boston, MA Posts: 10,362	Drilled (2) 2" + holes in my 125g, drilled 2 holes in my 75g, drilled one hole in my 55g, drilled one hole in my 30g, drilled a hole in a 40g cube all succesful

03/25/2006, 11:17 AM	#23
MCary Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hardin, Montana Posts: 3,142	Drilling holes in thicker glass with a diamond core bit is quite easy. Glass less that 1/4 inch can be trickier. Not that its harder to drill, just that you need to be more careful. If you wobble the bit or punch through to fast you can break the pane. Straight down, nice and slow, grind all the way through, don't let it punch through the last little bit like you would if drilling. Your not drilling, your grinding.

04/03/2006, 12:00 PM	#24
sixpackrt Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: pittston pa Posts: 779	i drilled over 50 holes no problems at all __________________ How many users are categorized as "I Support RC" members? Roughly 3000, or about 3% of our total membership. The other 97 % are banging on the search button.... Current Tank Info: 125 gallon,3 175 mh 10k and 2 72'' VHO URI Actinic 03's,135,220,55,

04/03/2006, 12:36 PM	#25
Stile2 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yucaipa, California (some little town you've never heard of) Posts: 1,624	Why is the poll closed? I have had success with both of those methods, plus using a rotozip with a ceramic tile bit. I love drilling tanks, its fun Keith __________________ If you have a college degree, you can be sure of one thing. You have a college degree! Superman owns Chuck Norris Pajamas!! Current Tank Info: 77 Gallon Custom peninsula 3 sides viewable, DIY Steel Stand, OM Squirt, 2 x 250 w MH, 2 x 95 w VHO, DIY Skimmer