Refugium

[brad shawn]

Looking to make this into a refugium for a Reefer 250. It’s a 2.5 gallon glass aquarium in going to drill it for a pump and overflow. IThinking I’ll put the supply pump where my current biological media is and have the overflow pipe go into the slimmer area ( haven’t gotten the skimmer yet). Do you see any concerns with this plan?

 

[brad shawn]

Side note. Not sure I’m going to use that wood crate yet if I do I will reinforce it to hold some weight.

 

[Max!]

Drilling glass that thin is extremely hard. You will probably break the first one!

 

[brad shawn]

Drilling glass that thin is extremely hard. You will probably break the first one!

I was thinking that. It is very thin...

 

[Max!]

I drilled 20 20 gallon longs to use as a sump joined by that union and admittedly, I broke the first 2.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

On thin tanks, there is a trick. Make a template with wood where you have 2 pieces of wood that have holes larger than what you will be drilling. Use those 2 pieces of wood to support the glass. One on the inside and one on the outside. Clamp them firmly, but not too firm. Use veggie oil to lube the bit and go super slow with low pressure. Let the bit grind the glass and do not force it.

After doing the above I have not broken anymore thin glass tanks. (knocks on wood, as I have 1.5 gallon to drill)

 

[Max!]

On thin tanks, there is a trick. Make a template with wood where you have 2 pieces of wood that have holes larger than what you will be drilling. Use those 2 pieces of wood to support the glass. One on the inside and one on the outside. Clamp them firmly, but not too firm. Use veggie oil to lube the bit and go super slow with low pressure. Let the bit grind the glass and do not force it.

After doing the above I have not broken anymore thin glass tanks. (knocks on wood, as I have 1.5 gallon to drill)

This is how I did mine, I broke them but that's not to say I followed it to the teeth.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

This is how I did mine, I broke them but that's not to say I followed it to the teeth.

They can still break, hence me knocking on wood lol. One thing I forgot to mention is that I use a 12 volt drill with the speed on low and the clutch on 3-4. The drill is super light and if the drill binds it stops spinning and clicks. This keeps it from jumping if it binds up. Started doing the wood trick and the drill at the same time, so the drill may be part of it as well. Before that it was a 24v with the speed on high and the drill on max lol.

 

[brad shawn]

They can still break, hence me knocking on wood lol. One thing I forgot to mention is that I use a 12 volt drill with the speed on low and the clutch on 3-4. The drill is super light and if the drill binds it stops spinning and clicks. This keeps it from jumping if it binds up. Started doing the wood trick and the drill at the same time, so the drill may be part of it as well. Before that it was a 24v with the speed on high and the drill on max lol.

Awesome advice thank you ! Smart idea with the wood how much bigger did you go with the jig hole than the bit ?

 

[Max!]

Awesome advice thank you ! Smart idea with the wood how much bigger did you go with the jig hole than the bit ?

I just took the diamond tipped bit and drilled into scrap plywood. It'll smoke and sound like your slaughtering an animal but eventually it gets through and the whole is perfect size

 

[brad shawn]

I just took the diamond tipped bit and drilled into scrap plywood. It'll smoke and sound like your slaughtering an animal but eventually it gets through and the whole is perfect size

Makes sense thanks!

 

[Max!]

You're* and Hole* lol

 

[brad shawn]

You're* and Hole* lol

What did you just call me?!

 

[Max!]

What did you just call me?!

hahahahahahhaha