Drilling Tank ?

BigLar · 09-14-2001, 01:56 PM

I ordered my All-Glass 180gal today. The LFS I ordered it from drills tanks, but did not recommed me drilling the 2 3/8" hole in the back for a 1.5" bulkhead. He said that he's not worried about the tank cracking durring the drill, but after it has been setup for awhile. He said he has drilled 4 tanks with holes this big and 2 of them cracked shortly after it was filled.

What should I do??? This was going to be for my closed loop and AMP3000!

**golfish** · 09-14-2001, 02:05 PM

Do the U-tube. How about drilling it on the bottom and running the pipe up 8-10" I'm guessing the bottom is tempered.

BigLar · 09-14-2001, 02:15 PM

Other than seeing the tube, what are the disadvantages of doing the U-Tube?

**scubadude** · 09-15-2001, 09:54 AM

If the hole is drilled professional then you shouldnt have a problem, however just about anyone that you take it to will NOT guarantee that it wont break! this is the "Norm" from just about any glass shop. If you know for a fact that the glass panel that you are drilling is NOT tempered and the person drilling it has done this many times before, and he uses a diamond bit, then you should be ok.....Either way you are gonna havta make a decision though, of course its a risk! but IMO its the best most effecient way to go! Im getting a 220g and gonna have atleast 5 holes drilled all over this tank and they will be almost 2.5"

I would take the tank to a local glass shop! NOT the LFS as he not be using the right bit? You can ask who drills it how many drills the bit has on it (if they know then thats good) if they dont know then thats bad!!! A diamond bit will only handle so many drills ( i think its in the hundreds though) and then it must be replaced. Good Luck

BigLar · 09-15-2001, 06:55 PM

Fortunately this guy has been drilling tanks for years. I’m buying the tank from him and he said that if the tank were to break during the drill, it would be his responsibility.

Ironreef · 09-15-2001, 08:46 PM

The u tube works fine. The advantage of bulkheads is they look better. No plumbing to see. Or very little. The u tube in a closed loop isn't going to lose siphen or anything just you have a large pipe in there. But you can hide it also. It will cover with coralinne

BigLar · 09-15-2001, 09:13 PM

I think I may wimp out and go with the U-Tube!!!

09-14-2001, 01:56 PM	#1
BigLar Council Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: US, MI Posts: 289	Drilling Tank ? I ordered my All-Glass 180gal today. The LFS I ordered it from drills tanks, but did not recommed me drilling the 2 3/8" hole in the back for a 1.5" bulkhead. He said that he's not worried about the tank cracking durring the drill, but after it has been setup for awhile. He said he has drilled 4 tanks with holes this big and 2 of them cracked shortly after it was filled. What should I do??? This was going to be for my closed loop and AMP3000! __________________ -BigLar

09-14-2001, 02:15 PM	#3
BigLar Council Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: US, MI Posts: 289	Other than seeing the tube, what are the disadvantages of doing the U-Tube? __________________ -BigLar

09-15-2001, 09:54 AM	#4
scubadude Moderator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 5,298	Hi Biglar :) If the hole is drilled professional then you shouldnt have a problem, however just about anyone that you take it to will NOT guarantee that it wont break! this is the "Norm" from just about any glass shop. If you know for a fact that the glass panel that you are drilling is NOT tempered and the person drilling it has done this many times before, and he uses a diamond bit, then you should be ok.....Either way you are gonna havta make a decision though, of course its a risk! but IMO its the best most effecient way to go! Im getting a 220g and gonna have atleast 5 holes drilled all over this tank and they will be almost 2.5" I would take the tank to a local glass shop! NOT the LFS as he not be using the right bit? You can ask who drills it how many drills the bit has on it (if they know then thats good) if they dont know then thats bad!!! A diamond bit will only handle so many drills ( i think its in the hundreds though) and then it must be replaced. Good Luck __________________ Rocky

09-15-2001, 06:55 PM	#5
BigLar Council Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: US, MI Posts: 289	Fortunately this guy has been drilling tanks for years. I’m buying the tank from him and he said that if the tank were to break during the drill, it would be his responsibility. __________________ -BigLar

09-15-2001, 09:13 PM	#7
BigLar Council Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: US, MI Posts: 289	I think I may wimp out and go with the U-Tube!!! __________________ -BigLar

09-14-2001, 02:05 PM	#2
golfish Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Alta Loma,Ca Posts: 2,943	Do the U-tube. How about drilling it on the bottom and running the pipe up 8-10" I'm guessing the bottom is tempered.

09-15-2001, 08:46 PM	#6
Ironreef Governor Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Pacific WA Posts: 1,220	The u tube works fine. The advantage of bulkheads is they look better. No plumbing to see. Or very little. The u tube in a closed loop isn't going to lose siphen or anything just you have a large pipe in there. But you can hide it also. It will cover with coralinne

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