Glass Drilling

I know there are several threads on this I am sure. I understand all the principles of drilling, the equipment needed, etc.

I have a 75g tank that I am building a custom stand for and think it would be all the better if I drilled the tank and started it off right with a sump and everything. However, I do not have the money to replace this tank should I shatter the back panel. The tank is over 5 years old and thus no fish store that does drilling will give me a new 75g tank if they break mine in the drilling process.

If I take my time and do it correctly with a brand new diamond hole saw for 2 holes, what are my chances of actually breaking this thing? I really dont feel like having put all this work into a custom stand to have the effort and money destroyed by shattering the back of the tank.

Advice please!

 

I am assuming it is glass and is the glass tempered?

 

Stay far enough from the edges, as long as you know it's not tempered it should be ok. Go slow.
YouTube - Drilling an Aquarium

 

Google glass drilling or go on YouTube. You find alot of info there. Its not hard at all, as long as its not tempered glass like cannedmulder mentioned. Luna

 

It is not tempered supposedly. Has anyone actually personally broken a good sized tank while drilling?

 

There's a "How to" in the articles section on 3Reef. Here.

 

Hello,

I have just started drilling the bottom of my glass 125g, I bought it second hand from someone who bought it second hand and no one knows how old it is.

There were no stickers on the bottom to indicate if it was tempered, but because it has been a multi-hand me down, does that mean any thing.... I fretted over drilling for 2 months before taking the chance.... figured, if it breaks, it breaks, deal with it.... 8 minutes later the first hole was done... no problem....

As Av8Bluewater provided the link to a video that I watched before drilling, it is likely you'll be fine... if it is not tempered glass....

Be very sure of your layout for hole location and size, it is hard to move a hole after you drill it.

 

I also want to add that if you do drill a hole, use tape so any glass bits that may chatter won't fall into the tank, and to prevent cutting yourself.
I'm going to be drilling my little 20G on the upper left part of the tank. I just bought a little 10G tank to make into a small sump/fuge.

 

As far as where the holes are in relation to the edge, its recommended that you stay 2 times the size of the bulkhead from the side or bottom, if its a 1 inch then stay 2" from edge.

When drilling support the glass from the bottom to alleviate the chance of it chipping. I used a piece of 2x4 held up against the glass covered with a towel.

Don't force the drill bit and keep it cool and clean. I used a hose on low aimed at the edge of the bit, and several time pick the bit up and clean out the grove.

I just got done doing 7 holes in my 75 and 2 in my 37 fuge, its easy to do. What kind of tank is it?

 

i just did my first hole ever in a 20L i went with the dremel method, i had to charge my cordless drill 3 times to get through it, but it came out good,i was being so gentle at first but as time went on i got pretty rough with it. you should be fine if you don't cut any corners, and as a previous poster mentioned,don't get 2 close to the edges.