Tank Drilling

AquaGrizzly · 03-07-2007, 12:28 PM

Anyone know of a place around me (Merrillville) that drills tanks and will not break the tank as I could not afford another it were to? A little weary on doing this. Just want to get a quote for a couple holes.
Thanks,
Scott

grallster · 03-07-2007, 05:01 PM

I'd do it for you, but I live in SB.

digitalis · 03-07-2007, 06:59 PM

Just make sure the glass you are drilling through isn't tempered, or it WILL break. Perfecto tanks, I think 55 and up are tempered all sides and bottom. Others are only tempered on bottom. Just be sure before you try.

rugar20 · 03-07-2007, 09:52 PM

Just wondering what is the best/easiest way to tell if the glass is tempered? without knowing or having the paperwork/brand of tank

digitalis · 03-08-2007, 03:44 AM

Start drilling and see if it breaks. There's really no visual way that I know of. Tempering makes the glass stronger so they can use thinner glass for the same strength. If the glass looks thin, maybe it is tempered. Go on google and search the tank manuf. and size and 'tempered' and i'll bet someone has either asked and found the answer, or the company's website will tell you. Here's the All Glass answer. Problem is they only tell bottoms:
http://www.all-glass.com/services/techinfo.shtml

I just found a site on google that explains tempering and tells that most big tanks, sides are NOT tempered. See the link:
http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plant.../msg00241.html

grallster · 03-08-2007, 06:47 AM

Digitalis is right--there is no visual way to tell if glass is tempered or not. I've never heard of a tank having tempered sides, but I could be wrong.

JustDavidP · 03-08-2007, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grallster

Digitalis is right--there is no visual way to tell if glass is tempered or not. I've never heard of a tank having tempered sides, but I could be wrong.

In re: No Visual Way...I've been told otherwise and have only broken one tank while drilling. Here's a neat little concept that I exploit...

During the "tempering process", there is an process by which they use a rapid air quench immediately upon withdrawal of the glass from the furnace. The use of this quick air quench actually results in the temper.

During the cooling process, the air quench nozzles discharge air in a fixed but rotating motion. The resulting "signature" of the air quench can be viewed through polarized glass as patterns of iridescent spots or lines (more often spots or "checks"). Even under some conditions the pattern can be seen in normal output lighting with the naked eye.

However, if you use a couple of polarized lenses (I've used sunglasses and even some camera lenses could be used) and hold one closest to your eye and the other closest to the glass, you can actually see a fogged, checkered pattern in the tempered glass. It is not "crisp", but you can see it.

If the glass shows no sign of a pattern of sorts, when viewed at differing angles, then it is most likely not tempered.

If you have any doubts, assume it is tempered and don't drill. I lost just one tank, a 29G because well...who'd have thought that the SIDE would be tempered. I didn't even check. Now I check before drilling. EVEN SIDES!

Check this out..this was my "oopsie"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uigdnhUsns

FWIW, I use a dremel and a wood template to drill. It's much easier and cooler than a drill.

Dave

bklynmet · 03-08-2007, 12:02 PM

I belive Dave is correct with his information... It jingles true a little from either back in HS or college class...

JustDavidP · 03-08-2007, 12:08 PM

I try not to pass misinformation, though I've done so in the past

If you know of any bad above, let me know. I HATE passing along bad info.

D

rugar20 · 03-08-2007, 09:48 PM

Thanks I thought i had read something along those lines before Thanks

AquaGrizzly · 08-12-2007, 01:53 AM

Bump
Still looking for a place around me that can drill a tank.....I want to try to call a couple of glass shops but I figured I would try here first.

AquaGrizzly · 08-12-2007, 01:58 AM

Never had a drilled tank. Where would the best place to put the bulk heads and what size? I would like 1 over flow in the corner or middle (not sure which one wold be best looking and working) and a cls.

grallster · 08-12-2007, 12:57 PM

If you bring the tank to me, I can drill it for you. What size tank is it? Do you want a separate overflow chamber, or just an upturned elbow? I like the box over bulkhead design for the overflow because it takes up much less room. The center overflow would be awesome, but really only is practical for tanks viewable from 4 sides.
The size of the tank, return pump, and CL pump would determine what size plumbing to go with. I have a 1" drain in my 75 gal, but any bigger of a tank and I would want 1 1/2.

AquaGrizzly · 08-12-2007, 02:20 PM

90 gallon. Return pump is rated at 1300 gph at 2' not sure what kind it is. CL pump is a mag 7. The sump is going to be in a seperate room and is a 50 gal feeder tub. Box over bulkhead sounds good. On the back in the middle would be great, tank is going to be 3 sided...kind of an in-wall.