jrcsh6 Posted February 28, 2013 Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 Do we have anyone comfy with drilling glass and likewise building an overflow box? Just curious as a lot of us look around at used tanks here and there, and a lot of tanks aren't "RR". Obviously there would be some understandings involved that the liability is off as far as a disaster. Just a thought I had while flipping through some swimming pool sized tanks without holes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin1300 Posted February 28, 2013 Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 I don't have a lot of experience with it but I've drilled a few holes glass holes and probably 20 acrylic holes and it's not bad at all. With glass, confirm it's not tempered, put down a dam with plumber putty around where you want to drill, and fill with water. Once that's in place start drilling and letting the diamond hole bit do the work without applying pressure. Continually add new water as it will splash out and make sure you keep it cool as heat is your enemy. Few minutes later you'll be close to going through and just make sure you use slightest of pressure to keep it from chipping when it comes through the other side. If your nervous, just get a junk 10 gallon tank and do a few holes. Typically all bottoms are tempered, and most of the time the sides/back are not but always check! As far as the bits and overflow kits, glass-holes is the best resource for this project and is a sponsor of INDMAS. http://glass-holes.com/Complete-Overflow-Kits_c3.htm If you are feeling lucky, they donated the following 700 GPH kit we'll be raffling off at the swap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatO Posted February 28, 2013 Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 Glass and holes are not hard at all. On thin glass, they are difficult. But thick glass makes it simple. Order glass for overflow from cooks glass. Super simple to have a "coast to coast" or inside overflow transferring to an outside box for plumbing. Now, on my 150 rimless, I paid for them to drill the holes. Mainly, I didn't want to scrap a $1,000 tank. Lol. But I built my overflow box and outside box, drilled the 3 holes in the outside box myself. Pretty easy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrcsh6 Posted February 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 http://glass-holes.com/Complete-Overflow-Kits_c3.htm If you are feeling lucky, they donated the following 700 GPH kit we'll be raffling off at the swap! That's really pretty cool. Might make for a good option. I see no drawback to that. 1500 version might be better though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin1300 Posted February 28, 2013 Report Share Posted February 28, 2013 Yeah, just all depends on the turnover rate in the aquarium you want to set up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jtroutt19 Posted March 5, 2013 Report Share Posted March 5, 2013 I drilled my tank 3/4 full of water and stocked with livestock and coral. Used a large sryinge to keep water flowing over the bit. Not hard at all to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj7jeep81 Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 A spray bottle full of water works well also. I used a glass holes kit, and just taped the template on and had someone else mist the bit while I drilled. Doesn't take gallons of water, just enough to keep it cool. Drilled 4 holes in my 125, and one in my 75 gallon sump. Biggest thing I found is to really ease back on the pressure when you're close to coming through, as that will help prevent it chipping around the edges. Also really helps to have a second person watching the other side as you go, to see when you're about to break through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin1300 Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Biggest thing I found is to really ease back on the pressure when you're close to coming through, as that will help prevent it chipping around the edges. Exactly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msmith783 Posted April 3, 2013 Report Share Posted April 3, 2013 Still terrified XD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleffew Posted April 4, 2013 Report Share Posted April 4, 2013 Bring it to the swap and someone can demo how to install a glass holes kit ! I'm not volunteering but that's a good idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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