Tank Drilling 101

[Sanfernando]

I'm going to be setting up a 55 gallon tank soon and wanted to add a 55 gallon sump to the tank. I've never had a tank drilled before and don't know much about the plumbing involved with a sump or even where to get the tank drilled. It would be greatly appreciated if I could get some advice/pictures on the subject.

 

[reefland]

Lesson #1 is check to see if you have tempered glass. It can not be drilled. Most small tanks (under 75'ish gallons) tend to use tempered glass as it is cheaper, thin, yet strong.

 

[Reef Guy11]

Yes that is true. After that if it is not Tempered Glass then call a glass shop in the Phone book I found one out here that will drill 4 holes in my 135 gal for me that is cheap.

 

[Anonymous]

I had holes drilled in my 55 gal and was unhappy with the result. The holes were drilled where I said, but it took like 30 min a hole, and that the time spent with the drill cutting. Also the bit kind of skittered across the surface on one hole leaving a bunch of scratches. Finally, the guy had to press so hard to get it to drill that when the bit came through it broke out big chips on the other side.

Needless to say, find out how old the drill bit is, they are under a hundred bucks so there is no reason not to have a sharp one.

Later on I found out that that bit was like 20 years old and had been bought used

Bryan

 

[Sanfernando]

How would I be able to know if it is tempered glass?

 

[LFS42]

most tanks that are tempered have stickers on the bottom do not drill.
that same sticker will say if all panels are tempered or just the bottom.

My guess would be that if it's an AGA, just the bottom is tempered.
If it's a perfecto, all sides are tempered.

 

[Anonymous]

If its AGA go to their website, they have a list of all their tanks and whether or not certain panels are tempered

Bryan

 

[fishfarmer]

I had my 55 gallon drilled by my LFS. Three holes in the back, two are in either corner, the other offset from the middle for my return. I constructed skimmer boxes for the corners out of acrylic. I think the holes and bulkheads cost me around $80.

 

[King Jason]

I already took Glass Drilling 100 and found out that NO ONE wants to take responsibility for drilling your tank (if it's already put together).

If you can find someone good luck!

 

[Dante]

Many Oceanic tanks have tempered bottoms also. Your LFS should be able to recommend a reliable tank driller. In my case my LFS does it himself. 8)