*!help!* Drilling A Glass Tank Hole Bigger.

[tom9182]

 
Hello everyone, 



I just recently bought an 125 gallon glass aquarium off craigslist.

There are two holes at the bottom of the tank that i want to use for overflows.
But the problem is that the size of both the holes are 1 1/4 inch. And from what i have gotten from my research and from looking around on the web was that there are no bulkheads that would fit that size hole.
And what i was going to do was get a piece of glass to put over the holes on the bottom and silicone them on because from what i read there is a good chance of cracking the glass on the tank if i try to drill the holes bigger. But then i read that what i was going to do with siliconing the glass, the glass would crack anyways ( Im guessing from the pressure of the water ). 
So i kept on looking for ways to drill holes bigger because i ruled out that a wasn't going to silicone a sheet of glass on top of each hole. And i came across on two different fish forums that people used dremels with tile cutting bits to make the hole bigger, but other people used the right size diamond coated hole saw that they wanted for the tank and just put less presure on the drill and let it drill slower and at its own pace. 

I need everyones opinions and what they think i should do because i dont feel like cracking this glass. If you know where i could get a bulkhead for a 1 1/4 inch hole please let me know!!

And if you think i should drill the hole bigger please give me suggestions on what size i should make it to.

Thanks,
Tom

 

[This Old Spouse]

I take it you cut and pasted this from somewhere else?
 
Can't you just buy reducers and use the existing holes?

 

[tom9182]

 

I take it you cut and pasted this from somewhere else?
 
Can't you just buy reducers and use the existing holes?

 

 



 
 

What do you mean by reducers?  If you can, can you give me a link to what you're talking about?
 
But i need the bulkhead to SEAL the hole because the holes are located at the bottom of the tank.
 
 
And btw i fixed the post and yes i did copy and paste it

 

 

[This Old Spouse]

I don't have a link, but you should be able to google plumbing supplies of some kind and find what you need. So you aren't going to use the holes? I don't know what you mean by "bulkheads" which in my vocabulary means a drop in your kitchen ceiling to hide mechanicals like pipes and ductwork. 

 

[Mikey1]

where exactly are the holes located?
 
sealing them is easy, get a square piece of glass or even thick plastic that is at least an inch bigger than the hole....put a nice thick bead of silicone all around the hole....press the square piece over the hole tightly compressing the silicone....let it dry
 
after its dry seal around all the edges of the square piece with more silicone,
 
the square piece goes inside the tank, not outside
 
now you can dril new holes any size you like, that is assuming the glass is not tempered glass

 

[tom9182]

 
 

There are two holes on the bottom, one on each end and both 5 inches from the back of the tank.


 
 

 

[Mikey1]

 
 

There are two holes on the bottom, one on each end and both 5 inches from the back of the tank.


 
 

 
 
it sounds to me like this tank was used for reptiles as opposed to fish, reptile keepers drill holes down low and in the bottom to run power cords through the bottom for heat rocks, and lamps,
 
when used for fish, holes are generally not drilled in the bottom of the tank, they are drilled in the sides, and one would be very high up on the side, near the top, to be used as an overflow for a sump,

 

[TwoTankAmin]

All I did was Google "1.25 inch Bulkhead fitting"

 

08303M with Nut Beige 1 x 1 for 1.25 inch hole

150PSI Modular Bulkhead Fitting. Base Bulkhead Fitting All the Modular Bulkhead fittings start with one of the four base bulkheads. This one is for a 1.25" hole, up to .0625 (1/16)" wall thickness. It provides 7/8" through path. The inside has an o-ring for sealing. The outside has a 1" straight thread male. On this 1" straight thread, you attach one of the 1" swivel adapters.

Also used to convert FPT (female NPT) fittings to MPT modular systems. Aka a National Iron Pipe Thread gender changer.
$1.17
 
 

08303 1inch both sides modular bulkhead fitting gray for 1.25inch hole 

150PSI Modular Bulkhead Fitting. Base Bulkhead Fitting All the Modular Bulkhead fittings start with one of the four base bulkheads. This is one of them. This fitting has 1" straight threads on both sides, which you can attach one of the swivel adapters. Fits through a 1.25" hole (up to 1/4" thick)

Also used to convert FPT (female NPT) fittings to MPT modular system. Aka a National Iron Pipe Thread gender changer.
$1.30
 
Hayward Safe-T-Loc Bulkhead Fittings ... 1.15. 1". 11.75. 8.94. 1.15. 1-1/4". 16.25. 12.19. 1.02. 1-1/2". 16.25. 12.19. 1.02. 2" ... Dimensions - Inches / Millimeters
http/www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CGIQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thevalveshop.com%2Fmenu%2Fmanual%2Fhayward%2Fbulkhead.pdf&ei=yMVcUeaGBKS-0AGK8ICgBQ&usg=AFQjCNG5Pfu_3o8cdhNyAFd7J7XQbG31gQ&bvm=bv.44697112,d.dmQ

 

[Chad]

Cutting holes is very common in reef keeping and a lot of us use products from this site http/www.glass-holes.com/Glass-Hole-Cutters_c7.htm that allows you to do it yourself. Mind you cutting an existing hole larger is more challenging that just a fresh cut but it can be done if the instructions are carefully followed. It is also possible that a local glass shop can cut them for you so check around.
 
That said I would check the all-glass over flow kit and see if it fits as it has a couple sizes of bulkheads included. http/www.aqueonproducts.com/products/megaflow-accessory-kit-for-overflow-aquariums.htm