[golfish]

Hey gang,
I'm looking for a tank to use as a refugium. I was thinking about a 29 or 30 gal tank, but I need to drill it. Anybody out there drill the bottom of a small tank like this. I'm thinking 1/2-3/4" bulkhead.............

Any ideas?

Mark

[organicreefer]

well i drilled my thirty tall twice on the back and one ten gallon i just put a tiny hole in so i could rig some ro filter tubing stuff.
did all of the above with one 11 dollar tile hole saw from hd.i think mine was the 2 1/4,but they have at least one other smaller size bit,not sure what you need for a 1/2 or 3/4 bulkhead..do you think that the bottom of these small sized tanks is likely to be tempered?im not sure,i wouldnt think so.
maybe go acrylic??i used glass because i had all these tanks layin around anyway.it would be easier..
well im no help am i

[RWD]

Hi Mark,
I have drilled 1/2" holes with a carbide steel bit in a 40 breeder but nothing larger. I have been in the lfs while the owner drilled a few 1-3/4" holes for bulkheads. He used a diamond hole saw and a power drill clamped in a portable drill press attachment. It's not that complicated if you have the tools. I have heard of people using a cheap carbourendem (sp?) hole saw made for drilling holes in ceramic tile but can't comment on it personally. Bob

[scubadude]

Hey mark

I drilled (or had drilled) a 20g before. Most of the "All Glass" aquariums have bottoms and even sides non tempered now so you can pretty much drill them every which way you want.

All Glass is a manufacture, it doesnt refer to all glass tanks.

[TooFar2Sea]

Drilling options range from having it done at the LFS or local glass shop, DIY with diamond tip bits and a drill press, and at the bottom of the food chain, using the Home Depot bits for ceramic with a hand drill. I do it the last way. I recently drilled the bottom of a 5 1/2 gallon (thin glass is hardest) tank successfully like this:
1. Brace the glass with wood, either under or on top and secure with clamps. The easiest way to break the glass is applying too much pressure.
2. Build a dam of Play-Doh and fill it with vegetable oil. The oil will lubricate the bit and help keep it cool.
3. Run the drill at the slowest speed, and stop frequently. Take your time, drill a bit, do something else, and come back to the drilling. A cold bit cuts much better than a hot one. The bit from Home Depot first grinds a small hole in the center as a guide. Once that is started you can easily get back into your "groove".
4. Practice on scrap glass before trying it on a tank. It broke two tanks before I learned the drill!
The biggest downside to using the Home Depot bits is you have only two choices as to size. I use the 2" bit, but ideally you would like 1 3/4", as this is the size hole for a 1" bulkhead.

[organicreefer]

you can find 1" bulkheads to fit the home depot bit...they are thicker grey plastic,i have one,and i beleive marks is using them too