Did I break my tank ( first time drilling)

[Brian Kracht]

Hello,

So I just drilled my first glass tank. I'm pretty sure I did not break it after further investigation, but hopefully some internet confirmation will put me at ease for sure.

So to start with the problem or what I thought was the problem is that I had the back painted with latex paint before drilling. So when I drilled the first hole it seemed fine. Then I drilled the second hole and looked at the first one to see a spider web effect. I assumed it cracked the other hole.

I assumed the latex was peeling as the glass cracked, so I started peeling the latex off.

I sprayed it down with water and it didn't seem cracked. There were small chips and not a perfect circle.

I threw some bulkheads in and tried to plug it so water doesn't come out to do a leak test. Nothing was seeping put but after work I will check to see for sure.

Anyone think I will have an issue besides having to repaint which isn't a big deal?

I'm assuming I'm good since it looked worse at the time when I first saw it and of course the main fear in drilling is cracking.

Thanks for any input and your time for looking.

 

[Brian Kracht]

Also, sorry for the poor pictures. Making the camera focus on the glass was a challenge

 

[143MPCo]

In my experience small chips around the circumference of the whole when drilling glass is normal, I seen them on my own tanks that I have drilled and ones I have purchased pre-drilled, all and I think you did a good job!

 

[SashimiTurtle]

The little chips are normal. You can take some really fine sand paper and polish the edges. Otherwise you're good if the bulkheads hold water.

 

[sa6hir]

My 6ft 220g tank as 3 holes and all the holes have chips I didn’t sand them down or anything. What I did was add abit of aquarium silicon to each bulkhead. 2 years down it’s still fine. Another thing to note is the tank is ND aquatics so if they managed to chip the tank what are the chances u could do it without chipping it [emoji23].

 

[Brian Kracht]

Thanks everyone, I might try to polish up some of the chips like was mentioned.

 

[fishbox]

I believe that silicone on bulkheads is contraindicated for some reason and I forget what that reason is so wait for answers before you go doing it

 

[cracker]

Ya Your good , it's just the water got underneath the paint. But probably already said. The chip won't hurt either. Fairly normal

 

[sa6hir]

I believe that silicone on bulkheads is contraindicated for some reason and I forget what that reason is so wait for answers before you go doing it

The reason was because of the seal on the bulkhead not being able to make good contact with the glass. But if you silicon it in the right place it doesn’t effect the seal at all. When I say right place I mean in the hole.

 

[fishbox]

Got ya...

 

[Brian Kracht]

I believe that silicone on bulkheads is contraindicated for some reason and I forget what that reason is so wait for answers before you go doing it

Yeah I have thought of silicone on the bulkheads but most people don't seem to do that. I assume just for ease of removal in case it actually does go bad.

 

[Brian Kracht]

Well I reaponded before finishing reading and seethat someone responded already to sealing the bulkhead

 

[Brian Kracht]

Since I have some people here, does anyone know of there being a problem drilling an acrylic overflow box with the same diamond drill bit for the class? I know there is a different bit a lot of people use, but I don't have it.

 

[fishbox]

I would think the diamond bit would melt the acrylic rather than cut it.

 

[Brian Kracht]

I would think the diamond bit would melt the acrylic rather than cut it.

Alright well maybe I'll see if Lowe's or home Depot has the bit that I need instead.

 

[fishbox]

If they don't have the correct hole saw for the job, I'm positive they'll have a Dremel or RotoZip bit that'll work (if you have access to those tools.

 

[JoshH]

I used a step bit for my acrylic then widend the hole with a diamond hole saw bit, it grinded up the acrylic in to little pieces as it went through but didn't bind or cause issues. Might be different starting with the DHSB to begin with as it will just grind into the acrylic.

 

[cracker]

Might could gum up the diamond dust on the glass bit ,not sure. I just use a plain hole saw & cut fast . I bet some just cringed when I said that. LOL

 

[Brian Kracht]

I used a step bit for my acrylic then widend the hole with a diamond hole saw bit, it grinded up the acrylic in to little pieces as it went through but didn't bind or cause issues. Might be different starting with the DHSB to begin with as it will just grind into the acrylic.

I might look for one of those.

 

[JoshH]

Have a look, it's hard to find larger sizes so I bought the biggest one the Depot had 1 1/8" and bored out the other 1/8" with the diamond bit. Keep in mind the step bit alone was $85 (Canadian) at the Depot. You might be able to source a cheaper one but I didn't feel like waiting for shipping lol