MR. Aqua

dorky · Dec 24, 2012

hey, Merry Christmas!!1:drum:
i am wondering if anyone ever try to drill the tank from Mr. Aqua? reason im asking is because i will be buying couple of tank and will drill for overflow and return. i just dont want to drilled if it going to break ya know wat i mean.

EL BOTAS BLANCAS · Dec 25, 2012

If its ur first time then u should have some practice glass sheets , i tried on my aqua tank but i failed , i was able to fix it useing black acrylic sheet . good luck and be careful and take ur time happy holidays.

occ_motorcycles · Dec 28, 2012

D you know you can ask the manufacturer and see if the glass is tempered. If it is tempered then you will be unable to drill it. And also check out my new thread.

SNAKEMANVET · Dec 28, 2012

Practice on some other glass,just take your time and don't push down on the drill.Good luck.

EL BOTAS BLANCAS · Dec 29, 2012

SNAKEMANVET said:
Practice on some other glass,just take your time and don't push down on the drill.Good luck.

+1 i totaly agree i failed on mine i was rushing and pushing to hard and it broke .

jbb_00 · Dec 30, 2012

I drilled my MR. Aqua 33.6g 25x18x18 . Their tanks are not tempered , but if it is your first time then practice like said above.

Good Luck

alberthiel · Dec 30, 2012

dorky said:
hey, Merry Christmas!!1:drum:
i am wondering if anyone ever try to drill the tank from Mr. Aqua? reason im asking is because i will be buying couple of tank and will drill for overflow and return. i just dont want to drilled if it going to break ya know wat i mean.

Did you buy the special drill bit and the paste to keep the area were you drill cool ?

occ_motorcycles · Dec 30, 2012

alberthiel said:
Did you buy the special drill bit and the paste to keep the area were you drill cool ?

I usually drill the tanks for dorky and we have the special diamond bits from glass holes .com but we just cool the tank with shower water then start the hole and keep the water running over it until we get through. I have not broken a tank yet drilling but I did break a 40breeder installing bulkheads.

alberthiel · Dec 30, 2012

occ_motorcycles said:
I usually drill the tanks for dorky and we have the special diamond bits from glass holes .com but we just cool the tank with shower water then start the hole and keep the water running over it until we get through. I have not broken a tank yet drilling but I did break a 40breeder installing bulkheads.

Well if you have the right equipment you should not have a problem, and yes keeping it cool is the key ... I used to build them and drill them even very thick glass but I had the special glass drill with the suction cups to keep in absolutely the same spot so it would drill straight down and not go out of angle at all, and used the ring around the drill bit that held the grinding compound .. but that is an older method by now :-)

occ_motorcycles · Dec 30, 2012

Yeah just keeping costs lower. Why buy the clay and cooling compound when water is cheaper and works just as well

alberthiel · Dec 30, 2012

occ_motorcycles said:
Yeah just keeping costs lower. Why buy the clay and cooling compound when water is cheaper and works just as well

Well if it works then why not .. but I guess what I got what some carbide material.

I am signing off for the eve ...

dorky · Dec 31, 2012

well reason why im asking is because the tank look so darn thin tht it will break but didnt want to drilled n break n then order more tank online. im not really big fan ordering things online. but been looking other people Mr. Aqua tank that been drilled looking really umm sexy -_^ lol thanks

occ_motorcycles · Dec 31, 2012

Does mr aqua offer drilled tanks cause that would be easy.

alberthiel · Dec 31, 2012

dorky said:
well reason why im asking is because the tank look so darn thin tht it will break but didnt want to drilled n break n then order more tank online. im not really big fan ordering things online. but been looking other people Mr. Aqua tank that been drilled looking really umm sexy -_^ lol thanks

The less pressure you put on the glass and the slower you go in that case the better IME. Drill a bit and then take the drill off to let things cool a bit, and then drill some more and take the drill off again .. etc and keep that drill as level as you can as if it goes a little too much sideways you may put too much strain on the glass. Can you put the drill in a device that holds it so it drills straight down and does not move sideways in any direction ... I think you can buy those stands at Bib Box Stores, seem to remember having seen them there.