Hi...I need someone to drill a one inch hole into my fish tank. Does anyone know what type of professional service to call for that? Like a windows place or what? I just can't figure out who to ask. Seems like a quick job for someone who knows what they're doing (not me).
Coming from someone who has drilled countless tanks, I'm going to tell you it's really easy. Just get a holesaw from glass holes, take some putty or playdoh and make a well around the hole you are about to drill and run a small stream of water in it as you are drilling. Keep even pressure, stay perpendicular and go slow. I've never had one tank break on me and I've drilled many.
Thanks guys. I watched the video and I seriousky think I'd lose a hand if I tried it. It mentioned that you can call a local fish store? The only one we have is petco, who I also think would mess up terribly. I just want to pay someone!
Because I don't want to buy a bunch of equipment and practice on an old tank etc just for one hole one time. I'm also accident prone and was hoping to have a one-off fee and a glass shard free garage.
Start making calls.
1) Glass shops. Bring the tank to them, sign the waver that they do not have to pay for the tank if they damage it, and let them do it.
2) Aquarium stores, even if they are far away, and ask them if they know of anyone in your area.
3) Other.
Closest thing I found to a pet shop drilling tanks is this mom and pop store I have an hour away. Now they will not drill your tanks, but they have everything to do it and will show you how to drill your own tank. I'm sure they don't want to risk breaking my 120g and replacing it. So yeah your best bet is to try the small stores.
Thanks guys. I live in a tiny town without a ton of options but I'll call all of them today when they open. Is this something Home Depot or one of the larger places might do?
No, I can't even get them to cut window glass for me. Sounds like you are doing it yourself or have to locate someone local like a glass shop or another hobbyist. Try posting for help in the locals on this site, mite get someone willing to help you.
I second going thru a local club or using a fish store. No one else will be willing to take the risk on breaking your tank. I was skeptical as well to self drill but I bought a hole saw set from Amazon and went to town. I had several tanks to drill so I ended up buying a drill press. Its more than what most would be willing to do but it made my job much easier. Plus I buy tools/equipment all the time. I had 24 holes and by hand, that would have been a pita but its definitely doable. A quality hole saw would be necessary vs lower grade ones if doing by hand though.
easy first you call your two hands then you call your tank and some water then finally u call a drill and a bit XD Easy peasy! Lol but really it is actually quite simple to do. If you end up doing it your self i would use like a peace of glass that has no use and test it out.
I have used multiple Glass holes hole saws. They are good quality and it's easy to match size to bulkhead size. The key is light pressure (almost none) and lots of water. I just let the weight of the drill do the job. Expect 3-5 minutes to get through put a wood backer on the back side to prevent chipping and blowout. Usually you only need one size (frequently for 3/4" bulkheads)
$20 to drill a tank sounds high?:eek5: He's apparently offering a unique service in your area. Sounds like a bargain to me. I won't set up and do anything with power tools for $20.
The glass drilling video was helpful, but why don't those duffusses (or is it duffi?) use a battery drill? That kind of eliminates the shock hazard.
Actually $20 is about the norm per hole from what I have read about. I think it benefits both the customer and the worker. The customer gets something done that he/she just doesn't want to attempt and the worker gets paid for his expertise. Both win but as most things its at a cost.
Depending on the size of the tank and its intent, I find that 1" bulkheads are typically the most popular. Most overflows systems have pipe increases after the bulkhead. At the time of purchase, I paid the cheapest price for a bulkhead $3.74 for a 1" bulkhead from Gl[censored][censored][censored][censored][censored][censored][censored]s. Buying in numbers made the deal sweeter. I ended up with $101 worth of bulkheads. 3/4" just don't give that umph in flow rate. Also for the piping, I highly recommend getting Class 200 instead of Sch40 pvc. For our purposes, Class 200 is perfect and will hold up just a well as Sch 40 pvc. The difference is larger inside diameter vs Sch 40. The outside diameter is the same so the same fittings will work for both schedules.
3-5 minutes per hole would be fatiguing for multiple tanks, lol. I'd give up. That's really letting the drill bit do the work. I averaged about 1 minute per hole with my drill press. Some holes I got done in 50 seconds until I backed off and took my time. The thing about the drill press vs by hand is that the drill press (if leveled with the tank) can grind the surface evenly at one time vs having to til the drill bit and then bringing it level. I am not saying go out and buy a drill press but if you do have access to one, I do recommend it. Obliviously you do need to take extreme caution and keep the electrical cords away from water contact. Make your berm tall and wide and water will stay put for the most part.
I took it in, and he drilled it for free. It's all good. Thanks for your help!
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