[APD] Re: Drilling tanks

[Bill Wichers <billw at waveform_net>]

> > Adding a bulkhead works fine if you have an acrylic tank, those who
> > have glass
> > aquariums... particularly tempered glass tanks, cannot (or rather SHOULD
> not)
> > drill holes. Drilling in glass is a big gamble.
>
> So, all those people out there with drilled glass tanks are just very
> lucky?

It's not impossible to drill glass, although tempered glass is at best very 
difficult. Tempered glass is far easier to fracture and is generally said 
to be undrillable. Regular glass such as that used in most tanks is 
entirely possible to drill, although it is difficult to do properly without 
the right equipment.

For most people who only need a few holes drilled it is going to be easier 
and safer (from the tank's perspective :-) to have the holes drilled at a 
glass shop. You really need a diamond coring bit and a drill press or 
drilling jig that can keep the bit steady to ensure good results. The 
diamond coring bits are usually run at relatively low speed for a longish 
period of time to drill the hole, and are usually used with a liquid 
coolant/lubricant to keep the bit from seizing or overheating. The 
equipment is too expensive for occasional DIY use.

        -Bill


*****************************
Waveform Technology
UNIX Systems Administrator

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