DIY Acrylic drilling

SO I am about to (within a month) drill my 100g acrylic aquarium. I am really getting some mixed reviews about where and how to drill it. I was going to drill it on the bottom center but am also reading that drilling on the back wall is good as well. Any input on this? I am starting from scratch with this tank so I dont have ANY of the overflow gear. Plumbing, surface skimmer, Etc... Any tips or info would be great! I was looking at a diamond coated hole saw to put in 1" bulkheads. Good enough for a 100g? Thanks!!

 

As far a bottom or sides it is up to you and your tank set up. If you drill the back then the tank won't be able to go right up against the wall. It will need a few inches for the pipes or tubing. The benefit to the back though is you don't need an overflow taking up room in your tank, and you have no overflow for fish to get stuck in .

I have had both and with the right set up I prefer it in the back. As long as the room is set up so you can't see the pipes behind.

 

I used a regular hole saw when I drilled the 5 holes in my acrylic tank. You dont need a diamond coated one, I think those are more for glass. You do need to take it very slow because you can melt the acrylic if you go to fast. And watch for the saw binding when it gets thru to the other side because it will want to twist and if you are not ready that can lead to cracking the acrylic. Use lots of water to keep the area you are drilling cool. I would also tape inside and outside where you plan on drilling.

 

Yeah good call on the tape! I do have some hole saws as I am a carpenter, but I have never attempted this before! So if the holes are drilled on the back can I just get one of the small overflow surface skimmers and mount it around the pipes? My issue is that all of my experience is with HOB gear so this is all totally new to me! Thanks for the input you two!

 

I dont know because I made my own overflows out of 6" ABS caps and glued and siliconed them in place and I have never had a problem with them although I had lots of people tell me it wouldnt work and "I wouldnt do that". They have been in use for over 3 years.

 

i drilled my sump with a diamond bit and it got super warm even with water standing on it but you deff need something with a bit larger teeth and it will go smoothly. Just keep it wet the more important part is getting the bottom edge started with a deep enough groove to control the bit.

 

One thing some acrylic fabricators told me some time back was to use a dull drill bit as the pilot bit in the hole saw. They said sharp bits are more likely to cause cracking.

 

That makes perfect sense! Thank you! Karma for you!!!