Advice on drilling a 10 gallon aquarium.

[KingNeptunesBounty]

I did some research on drilling a Standard Glass aquarium to convert it into a Reef Ready Aquarium. I know that I require various equipment such as a Drill, Drill Guide, Plumbers Putty and Diamond Tipped Circular Drill Bit. My concern is that the glass may be to thin. Has anyone drilled an aquarium with glass this thin?

 

[fallenlordz]

I Just drilled my new 55g tank, first time I ever drilled a tank before. Pretty easy.

Just go real slow... you should not have any problems. Running cold water is the key.

Also make sure its not tempered glass.

 

[stbarnabas]

I did 55 gal few times no problem at all I did 5 galon few times no luck at all glass was too thin my advice slow and no presure to the glass

 

[KingNeptunesBounty]

I did 55 gal few times no problem at all I did 5 galon few times no luck at all glass was too thin my advice slow and no presure to the glass

Thank you guys for the information. Do you think that maybe by using a wood block clamped to the glass on the opposite side of the cutting could have prevented the glass from cracking?

 

[stbarnabas]

You can try it but if it didn't work I have 10 gal back glass is broken you can have it if u want to repair your 10 gal

 

[KingNeptunesBounty]

You can try it but if it didn't work I have 10 gal back glass is broken you can have it if u want to repair your 10 gal

Thank you for the offer. I actually have a 10 gallon aquarium that I can make a practice run on first. I was going to throw it out because it was medicated but I guess I just found a purpose for it. I will let everyone know how it turns out when I attempt it at the end of the month.

 

[stbarnabas]

Cool good luck

 

[ming]

Go extra slow on the 10g tank. Since the glass is thinner, it can crack a lot easier. Thicker glass is less likely to crack because it has more glass to support itself.

I have a drilled 10g if you want to come pick it up, with a 1" hole on the side. Not selling, just come and pick it up.

 

[bad coffee]

I'd be weary of using a drilled 10g. The glass is just to thin. When you put the bulkhead and the pluming on it, it's way too much stress on the glass.

If you are going to go for it, I would suggest reinforcing the glass with another piece of glass siliconed to the tank.

B

 

[duke62]

i have drilled many tanks including a 5 gallon.the key is to lay it flat and use a piece of plywood under it only on the glass,do not lay it on the brace.i use crazy glue in 4 spot on a piece of pvc only a dab in four corners of pvc so you can twist the pvc off when done drilling use the same exact size of the bit you are using.blow dry it dry then with NO pressure at all turn the drill on at slow speed.using cold water in a non used spray bottle.

 

[kaOzGrUnT]

if your drill has a clutch make sure it is at its lowest number, go to glass-holes.com they have a video there

 

[House of Laughter]

Forget all that equipment -

get some plumbers putty, make the circle you need cut with a sharpie and the bulkhead and use a dremel with a diamond bit.

using a drill and all that jazz will definitely break that thin glass.

JMO

House

 

[masterswimmer]

The key to doing this correct is remembering that you CANNOT DRILL glass, you can grind it. Therefore you do not use any pressure on the drill. You almost take the pressure of the weight of the drill off the glass a bit (for a thin tank, like a 10g).

Very important information from kaOzGrUnT, make sure your clutch setting is on 1 or the lowest setting possible. This way if the diamond bit binds even a tiny bit, the clutch will release without any torque on the glass. This is the #1 reason glass cracks during the 'drilling' process.

If you form a reservoir of plumbers putty around the area to be 'drilled' you can fill it with water to cool the bit continuously. I've never used a spray bottle, although with a second person it would work. You should always have two hands on your drill to steady it. No hands left for the spray bottle.

Good luck,
swimmer

 

[masterswimmer]

You beat me house :smash:

R

 

[duke62]

ok

Forget all that equipment -

get some plumbers putty, make the circle you need cut with a sharpie and the bulkhead and use a dremel with a diamond bit.

using a drill and all that jazz will definitely break that thin glass.

JMO

House

i have never broke the glass doing it the way i said.and i always drilled the tanks by myself.i did break my first tank but that was because i laid the tank on wood against the brace.it was the first 1 i ever drilled and learned from my mistakes .but like everything in this hobby there is always more then 1 way to do anything.its amazing even some glass shops wont drill tanks.they are even nervous of cracking the tank .