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kruzr69 
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Joined: November 15 2005
Location: Spanish Fork
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 Topic: Drilled my own tank
Posted: March 03 2006 at 8:46pm |
I got a 16 gallon bowfront to replace my 10 gallon and decided I wanted
to run a sump and not have to worry about flooding. I ordered some
diamond coated dremel bits off ebay for $6, bought a dremel for $35 and
started cutting. It is alot easier than I thought it would be.  
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Tony Canto
Spanish Fork
In-wall 75 Gallon mega-flow, 50 Gallon sump/refugium. 2X400w MH, Mag 9.5 return, mag 9.5 closed loop with 2 sqwd's & 4 returns. Euro-Reef skimmer.
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dnellans
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Posted: March 03 2006 at 9:10pm |
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you bought a diamond coated hole saw bit for a dremel? do you have a link to what you used? at that price i would consider buying one as well... the 2.5inch bits i need for my 180 are around $175 online =(
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kruzr69
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Posted: March 03 2006 at 9:17pm |
No they are dremel bits. Here is the link.
It took me about 5 minutes per hole to cut, but it is only 3/16 glass
on my 16 gallon. It will work on a bigger tank, probably just take more
time.
Here is a link to some instructions.
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Tony Canto
Spanish Fork
In-wall 75 Gallon mega-flow, 50 Gallon sump/refugium. 2X400w MH, Mag 9.5 return, mag 9.5 closed loop with 2 sqwd's & 4 returns. Euro-Reef skimmer.
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Rocky
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Posted: March 03 2006 at 11:05pm |
You can use a dremel with a regular bit to drill through the 1/2" glass on a 180 but it will take you a long time and probably more than one bit. There was a guy on RC who did a 125 with a dremel but he said it took like 1/2 hour per hole.
Rocky
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Rocky Phillips
Hill AFB, Utah
Currently Tankless :(
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jfinch
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Posted: March 04 2006 at 12:43am |
I bought a diamond coated 1 3/4" hole saw to use with a hand drill for about $30. It takes all of about 2 minutes to drill through 1/2 glass and you can use it over and over again. 
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bansheeair350
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Posted: March 04 2006 at 1:22am |
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Your tank is looking good Tony.
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90 Gallon, 2 175watt MH, 4 110watt super atinic VHO's, Mag 950 return pump with sqwuid.
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amorgenegg
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Posted: March 04 2006 at 8:50am |
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Jon,
Where did you get that $30 hole saw? That is a great price, and I think I might have to pick one up.
Thanks.
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Andrew Morgenegg
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jfinch
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Posted: March 04 2006 at 10:21am |
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I found it on ebay (new), but I don't remember the guy's name (it was a few years ago). Sorry. If noone here can help you, I'd ask in the reefcentral diy forum.
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: March 04 2006 at 12:57pm |
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Looks like you drilled three holes. What size is the overflow hole. Is that a DIY overflow skimmer made from a PVC coupler?
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Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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dnellans
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Posted: March 04 2006 at 1:03pm |
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john, that is a phenominal price... 1 3/4 diamond hole saws typically are in the $100-$200 range retail =(
you should start renting yours out, i'm sure people would love to use it!
-dave
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jfinch
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Posted: March 04 2006 at 1:08pm |
The guy I bought from had many different sizes and a seemingly unlimited supply. It wasn't a one-off sort of thing. I've got to believe there are cheap diamond hole saws out there if you look hard enough. Another option is a tube drill. They are in that $30 price range too but they are a little messier.
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RockStarFish
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Posted: March 04 2006 at 1:57pm |
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Do you still have the hole saw my 150 is drilled with 2 overflows but I want to drill a couple more holes for the closed loop system and I don't realy want to load the huge tank in the truck to take it to marine aquatics(it's just to heavy)
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jfinch
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Posted: March 04 2006 at 4:20pm |
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I still have it, but I'm not sure I feel comfortable drilling someone elses tank. Have you asked Eric if he'll do house calls?
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kruzr69
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Posted: March 04 2006 at 8:03pm |
 Mark Peterson wrote:
Looks
like you drilled three holes. What size is the overflow hole. Is
that a DIY overflow skimmer made from a PVC coupler? |
Yes, I have two 1/2" returns and one 3/4" drain. the returns are split
by a sqwd so there is only 1 1/2" return at a time. Yes it is a DIY
overflow skimmer made from a 1-1/4" coupler going into a 3/4" elbow. I
am trying different things to quiet it down, but none are working yet.
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Tony Canto
Spanish Fork
In-wall 75 Gallon mega-flow, 50 Gallon sump/refugium. 2X400w MH, Mag 9.5 return, mag 9.5 closed loop with 2 sqwd's & 4 returns. Euro-Reef skimmer.
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RockStarFish
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Posted: March 04 2006 at 9:31pm |
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I have not tryed asking eric if he does house calls
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: March 04 2006 at 9:56pm |
A 1" drain would be easier to quiet. I've done 3/4" drains and they are a hassle. It has something to do with the physical properties of water, ie., surface tension and such. Sorry.
Have you placed a gate valve on the drain line at the sump? That's the best way I've found. By backing up the water partway into your overflow coupler cup, the noise may disappear. It's a better method than a durso and the water runs just as fast. The downside is finding a screen that allows freeflow of water but prevents snails from going down and getting caught in the gate valve.
Yes, Marine Aquatics will come to your house to drill the tank, in place and partially drained, if possible.
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Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Mike Savage
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Posted: March 04 2006 at 11:57pm |
RockStarFish wrote:
I have not tryed asking eric if he does house calls |
Yes he does.
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Mike Savage
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Posted: March 04 2006 at 11:59pm |
Kruzr69, the tank is looking good
Edited by Mike Savage
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