drilling tanks with a dremel

[aaron]

I have heard a lot of you talk about drilling holes in tanks with a dremel. I have a dremel and a tank that needs a hole, do you think you could talk me through the process?
What type of bit do you need? do you follow a template?
Tell me everything, I really want to know

 

[House of Laughter]

Shoot me an email at [email protected] and I'll send you a document with pictures and bit part numbers.

House

 

[aaron]

Jim, your email had no writing in the file. just four pictures with no explanations. Can i find the document somewhere on the web?

 

[Reef Guy]

I wouldnt do it unless its a cheap tank, if its anything bigger than a 55 its worth it to rent a drill press from home depot or something. I have done it before to a 10 gal...and jus as i was about to put in the bulkhead....crack. I used a reg ceramic bit from lowes/home depot. All you gotta do it make sure you keep the area wet and keep spraying as you cut.

 

[House of Laughter]

Aaron,

I know, the description thread was remove, but, all you have to do is use those bits (like I said, the football shaped one did me best).

Take your time, you'll see the progress of the bit, don't let it turn orange - that's bad.

Once you start and get the first hole, use the bit slowly in and out and you'll see the glass powder (good to use a mask) forming and you'll see the progress. I can do it for you if you like, not really that hard - what sized tank are we talking about?

House

 

[wedfr]

aaron if you have a router you can get a diamond tile cutter bit from home depot for abotu 15 bucks. Works much better then the dremel.

Need to keep it very wet and make sure it doesnt get too hot or the bit will wear out before the hole is done.

I found the best way to to go the full depth of the cutting surface otherwise the tip wears out and you cant get anywhere with it after

 

[aaron]

Thank's guys, I was planning on drilling a 10gal AGA tank. (only risking 7 bucks that way) to use as a refugium for my main tank. Thanks for offering to help me out jim, I have a million DIY projects on the list and this is still somewhere near the bottom, so i'll let you know.
My other, much more pressing, DIY drilling project is this: I just got a price to get my new 36gal bowfront drilled at the factory - they want to charge $50 a hole! which effectively doubles the price of the tank. It has made me seriously consider drilling it muself. The only problem is the tank costs $95 undrilled so if you crack it, you may as well have got it factory drilled. Its a big dilemma

 

[spykes]

arron my LFS does it for like 10-15 bucks a hole. you can take it to almost any aqurium to get it drilled if you dont trust yourself heh. if i have a diamond bit i would do it too

 

[House of Laughter]

Aaron,

I have 2 10g laying around - where approx do you want the hole? I have been dremel crazy lately

Hehehehe

House

 

[spykes]

hehhe jim should drill mine too LOL

 

[bad coffee]

I've got a diamond core bit for a 1" bulkhead. (It also works for 1 1/4" pvc home made bulkheads as well)
It's here for anyone to use!

B

 

[aaron]

Spykes, most people dont want to touch bowfront tanks because they are difficult to support because you have to lay them on their curved front to drill the back. Also no one will take responsibility for the drilling accept the AGA factory. so if they break it its just tough luck for you.

Jim, I wanted to make a refugium with the 10 gal, i was thinking about drilling it on the side, around the centre of the panel.

Still not sure about what to do with the main tank, thanks for offering the bit BC, I might take you up on it. What do you think the odds are for a successful drilling?

 

[zahner]

how many holes is a diamond bit good for on average? thinking of doing a few practice runs on scrap glass

 

[Reef Guy]

btw...I drilled a non AGA tank and it didnt shatter....does that mean it can in the future?

 

[Sean]

zahner-I've drilled at least fifty tanks with each bit and they're still in great condition

aaron- I've also drilled a bunch on bowed tanks.
It takes a delicate touch and alot of styrofoam.

also 10 gallon tank are more difficult to drill since the glass is so thin

 

[bad coffee]

odds are really good for the 10. You can flip it over and drill from the inside since you want it on the side.

I'd go with a dremmel for the bowfront. Just safer and easier for the back panel. I used a roto-zip and it cut like buttah on my 20.

BC

 

[joseney21]

can't you just lay it the way you would when it's setup and drill from the inside??to keep it cool take it out to your backyard and maintain a steady stream of water with a hose.

 

[bad coffee]

If you want the hole in the top corner you'll have to use a right-angle drill to get in there. Then I couldn't get my press in there either. I'd drill it from the back.

BC

 

[aaron]

I just found a 10gal on the street so i will have a trial run with that, then see how confident i feel about taking on something a little more expensive.

 

[bad coffee]

the only thing that changes is the thickness of the glass. Okay, and the pricetag of replacement!

just remember to keep the bit really wet and you won't have problems!

BC