Drilling a glass tank

[hoodrat]

Ok who here has done it and how hard is it really? Does anyone around town drill them? I'm kinda scared to drill the tank cause I know i'm not that patient....lol And where is everyone getting the hole saws to do it?

 

[CRW Reef]

its easy peasy you can do it no problem!!!! diamond coated glass drill bits from BRS or get a kit from glassholes.com. What size tank you drilling? If you want to bring to my house (470 and university) we can drill it when ever you are ready.

 

[hoodrat]

LOL I have beer..... I will actually need to drill the 5 40 breeders I have now and probably another 10 20 gallon highs that I will purchase later this week.

 

[CRW Reef]

thats fine lets do it! if it were me I might buy 2 bits so that they stay sharp for the thinner glass on the 40s an 20s. So pending how man holes on each of the 40s and what size, I might get 1 bit for each size hole unless you are doing say 10 holes all the same size. But I would def plan to switch bits every dozen or so holes for the 20s as they are super thin!!!

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/diamond-coated-glass-drill-bits-1.html

 

[Haddonisreef]

Pretty easy when u get the kit from brs come w all u need!

 

[hoodrat]

All the tanks will be drilled for 1 hole for a standpipe and I will plumb return lines over the top so only 1 hole per tank. I was going to do 10 gallon tanks but was hoping the glass on the 20 tall was a little thicker to maybe help out a little.

 

[CRW Reef]

Well one thing you will need to do is check if the tanks are tetra or aqueon tanks (assuming they are from petco dollar sale). As I think I saw the tetra tanks are tempered on the bottom but not side and the aqueon are fine on all sides. Could be wrong but thats just what i heard so might be worth checking brand and then asking (emailing manufacturer not asking petco sales rep lol).

 

[hoodrat]

they are tetras and all tanks will be drilled on the side. They finally started putting stickers saying the tetras are tempered bottoms...

 

[Frostyfish]

I just drilled my 30, I was nervous about doing it, but as others have said, it's really easy. I made sure to go really slow and set the clutch on my drill on 1. I didn't use a drill guide, just free handed it. Started at a 45• angle to get a good notch then slowly laid it flat. As long as you have water on the bit at all times and don't push down while you're drilling, you will be fine. I got my bit from http://www.glass-holes.com/Glass-Hole-Cutters_c7.htm