Drilling glass for overflow

[DustyBootsAZ]

Anyone in the Phoenix area know where I can get a tank drilled? I already shattered one 75gal tank attempting to do it myself off all the instructional videos I could find and I really don’t want to risk breaking another one.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Anyone in the Phoenix area know where I can get a tank drilled? I already shattered one 75gal tank attempting to do it myself off all the instructional videos I could find and I really don’t want to risk breaking another one.

Sorry to hear you had trouble drilling the 75 gallon.

@tbrown or @tharbin might be able to give you a recommendation. If I were nearby, I'd just pop over and do the job for you.

 

[Fish Fan]

Anyone in the Phoenix area know where I can get a tank drilled? I already shattered one 75gal tank attempting to do it myself off all the instructional videos I could find and I really don’t want to risk breaking another one.

Sorry you had some difficulty drilling your tank. When someone says that they "shattered" their tank by drilling it, I have to assume they were trying to drill tempered glass, which is a big no-no.

If you want to try this again yourself, you'll want to determine for yourself (don't listen to anyone who says I have that tank, and I drilled it) if the glass is tempered. You cannot drill tempered glass, which I'm sure you discovered all on your own

Check out this video, all you need is an LCD screen and a pair of polarized sunglasses to check if your tank has tempered glass or not:


Drilling through non-tempered glass isn't that difficult

@UncommonSense is quite good with these questions

Best of luck going forward!

 

[fishface NJ]

I'm a girly girl and I was able to drill my tank with no problem. Just like @Fish Fan said, you have to make sure it is not tempered glass.

 

[UncommonSense]

Here’s a great breakdown of my process from another thread:

Drill time!

I am drilling my 60g 24" rimless cube today! I have drilled only one hole, in a 20g aqueon, so I am nervous. I heard thicker glass should make it easier but I have some large holes to drill. With only 24" my space is really tight. My overflow has two - 2 3/8" - holes and I would like a dual...

www.reef2reef.com

I’d elaborate further but I’m typing one-handed after a pretty nasty injury… (on that note, wear cut resistant gloves!)

 

[tbrown]

Anyone in the Phoenix area know where I can get a tank drilled? I already shattered one 75gal tank attempting to do it myself off all the instructional videos I could find and I really don’t want to risk breaking another one.

Do you have Facebook? Check out the AZFRAG group. There's several shops that might be able to help you out.

I've never drilled glass before so I'm not a lot of help. @felda001 hasn't been around much lately due to life but I believe he was working on drilling a tank if I recall correctly.

 

[tharbin]

I've never drilled a glass tank but as @Fish Fan said, if it shattered there is a good chance it was tempered glass. The other main reasons would be too much pressure (i.e. rushing) or not enough cooling. @tbrown had a good idea. AZFRAG has a lot of members. Parts of the website are members only but most of it is open to anyone. If you go to AZFRAG's website, then pick the forums area, there is a DIY forum. The website isn't very active but every time I've used it someone has replied in a day or so. If that doesn't work for you, I can ask at the meeting next weekend. I'm sure multiple members have either drilled a glass tank or have had a glass tank drilled in the Phoenix area.

 

[exnisstech]

It's pretty simple as long as it isn't tempered. My first went so well my Gal had me buy some small bits to drill holes in some wine bottles to add lights for a craft project she was working on. Keep the bit wet and don't push on it worked great.