Let the drilling begin!!

[AW2EOD]

Well...I did it.

I got brave, and finally sat down and started drilling my 200gal. tank...it's 3/4" glass.

Very nervous drilling the first hole...very tense...ready to crap my pants the second I cracked the glass. lol

Took me just under an hour for the first hole, and only 30 min. for the second hole. I put a large bead of silicone around where the hole was being drilled. Then, I taped a container, inside the tank, right under where I was drilling. The silicone provided a "dam" and after I filled it with water, I drilled my pilot hole. Then, as the water ran down into the container, it filled up until there was a standing puddle of water in the silicone dam.

As long as the bit was in the standing water, it cut through the glass very quickly. Finished both holes without a single chip or crack.

I've already dry fit the plumbing and everything fits perfect. I bought enough 1.5" PVC fittings to install the return, with a screen over it and a 90 degree stove pipe drain coming through the back, also with a screen over it.

 

[wrightme43]

What did you drill it with? If you will please tell more about how, and what exactly you used to drill your holes. Thanks Steve

 

[AW2EOD]

I used a RotoZip Spiral Saw from Home Depot. It's like a Dremel, only bigger and more powerful. The bit was a RotoZip tile bit...dont remember the model number (something like Q10) but it's the only tile bit made for a RotoZip.

The container I placed inside the tank was very snug against the glass. Once the water ran through the pilot hole, in the glass, it filled up the container...then, when the water had no where to go, it filled up the silicone dam. That created a standing puddle of water.

Once the drill bit broke through, it was completely submerged in the water. I went very slow. When drilling the pilot holes, I didnt apply any pressure at all...just let the weight of the tool push the bit through.

Once through, you've got to apply pressure to make the cuts...sometimes I was afraid I was going to break the bit or the tank. I drilled the pilot hole, and then pulled the saw back to me...just seemed easier...cutting through the glass.

As long as the bit is submerged in water, it'll cut the glass like a hot knife through butter. Once the water runs out, you'll see smoke puffing from the bit. At that point, I would stop and pour more water into the silicone dam.

I wish I had a digital camera so I couldve taken pics for you guys. It was so much easier than I thought it was going to be. Hopefully, this description helps you.

I think I'm going to drill the rest of my tanks tomorrow..lol. I have a 55gal. a 40gal. cube, and a 10gal.

 

[wrightme43]

Extra Cool. I would never of thought that would work. It sure enough did for you. Thanks for sharing about it.

 

[dwall174]

Extra Cool. I would never of thought that would work.

Here's a RC Thread where some guy drilled his tank with water in it! I don't think I would try it but I have heard of people doing it!

 

[Katchupoy]

AW2, still cant imagine whats going on... sorry... do you have pics... very interested... thanks


nevermind... sorry... i did not read the whole post...
its ok...

 

[DisturbedReefer]

Nice work and great explanation :exclaim: But I think I will stick to acrylic

 

[DisturbedReefer]

You sooo need to get a digital! Would have been good to see this and I still wanna see more of that frogfish of yours