Drilled my own tank
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: DIY
Forum Description: Do it Yourself
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10806
Printed Date: July 12 2026 at 12:40am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Drilled my own tank
Posted By: kruzr69
Subject: Drilled my own tank
Date 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. 
------------- 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. |
Replies:
Posted By: dnellans
Date 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 =( |
Posted By: kruzr69
Date Posted: March 03 2006 at 9:17pm
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No they are dremel bits. Here is the http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8262947731&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_ReBay_Pr4_PcY_BIN_IT - 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 http://www.sv-sea.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=7&mode=&order=0&thold=0#Figure1 - instructions. ------------- 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. |
Posted By: Rocky
Date Posted: March 03 2006 at 11:05pm
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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 ------------- Rocky Phillips Hill AFB, Utah Currently Tankless :( |
Posted By: jfinch
Date Posted: March 04 2006 at 12:43am
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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. ------------- Jon https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6y_EzjI_ljbIwf2n5uNzTw" rel="nofollow - What I've been doing... |
Posted By: bansheeair350
Date Posted: March 04 2006 at 1:22am
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Your tank is looking good Tony. ------------- 90 Gallon, 2 175watt MH, 4 110watt super atinic VHO's, Mag 950 return pump with sqwuid. |
Posted By: amorgenegg
Date 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. ------------- Andrew Morgenegg |
Posted By: jfinch
Date 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. ------------- Jon https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6y_EzjI_ljbIwf2n5uNzTw" rel="nofollow - What I've been doing... |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date 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? ------------- 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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Posted By: dnellans
Date 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 |
Posted By: jfinch
Date Posted: March 04 2006 at 1:08pm
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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. ------------- Jon https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6y_EzjI_ljbIwf2n5uNzTw" rel="nofollow - What I've been doing... |
Posted By: RockStarFish
Date Posted: March 04 2006 at 1:57pm
| 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) |
Posted By: jfinch
Date 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? ------------- Jon https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6y_EzjI_ljbIwf2n5uNzTw" rel="nofollow - What I've been doing... |
Posted By: kruzr69
Date Posted: March 04 2006 at 8:03pm
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. ------------- 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. |
Mark Peterson wrote:Posted By: RockStarFish
Date Posted: March 04 2006 at 9:31pm
| I have not tryed asking eric if he does house calls |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: March 04 2006 at 9:56pm
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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. ------------- 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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Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: March 04 2006 at 11:57pm
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Yes he does. -------------  |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: March 04 2006 at 11:59pm
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Kruzr69, the tank is looking good ------------- |