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Looking for help drilling a biocube

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Joseph Gregerson, Aug 20, 2014.

  1. Joseph Gregerson

    Joseph Gregerson Inactive User

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    Is there anyone in the Des Moines/ Urbandale area willing to help me drill a biocube for bulkheads? I have drilled a few 10 gallon tanks but they all seem to crack after a week or so. Not sure if doing something wrong but help would be appreciated.
     
  2. Justin S. Well-Known ReefKeeper

    436
    Pleasant Hill
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    What type of hole saw are you using & are you placing putty around the drill hole to pool water? Putting duct tape on the inside can help to stop the glass from chipping when your hole finally exits the other side.
     
  3. Joseph Gregerson

    Joseph Gregerson Inactive User

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    I bought mine hole saw from Home Depot. It is diamond bit full circle. Came with a water ring. I can make the hole just fine but my -0 gallon tanks seem to crack down the side the hole is on after about a week of use. That's what has gotten me worried.
     
  4. Justin S. Well-Known ReefKeeper

    436
    Pleasant Hill
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    Could you post a photo of your cracked tank?
     
  5. Joseph Gregerson

    Joseph Gregerson Inactive User

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    [​IMG]
    Fish are people too
     
  6. Joseph Gregerson

    Joseph Gregerson Inactive User

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    It broke after about a week of having the bulkhead installed. That is all silicone that I put to keep it from leaking as much.
     
  7. blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0
    The weight of the plumbing attached to the bulkhead may be to blame for that more than the hole itself. That thin of a tank doesn't take a lot of torque on the fitting to cause extra stress that would lead to a crack. Make sure your plumbing is supported by another means besides just hanging from the bulkhead off of the tank.
     
  8. Joseph Gregerson

    Joseph Gregerson Inactive User

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    It is held up at the bottom but I definitly can see what you mean. Do you think it will break the back of an older marineland BC 29 to drill it?
    Fish are people too
     
  9. Joseph Gregerson

    Joseph Gregerson Inactive User

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    [​IMG]
    It rests on the sump. I cut the vertical piece so I could kinda prop it up to take pressure off he fitting
    Fish are people too
     
  10. blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0
    If done properly, it should be fine.
    Lots of people have drilled biocubes successfully.
     
  11. Joseph Gregerson

    Joseph Gregerson Inactive User

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    Ok. Now if it cracks is it totally crap?? I am hoping even if it cracks a bit I can somehow make it still useable otherwise I don't think the wife will go along with it.
    Fish are people too
     
  12. abower Well-Known ReefKeeper

    466
    Ryan, Ia
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    +74 / 1 / -0
    Once a crack starts it WILL continue to grow until it terminates at an edge (or other crack). I would recommend:
    1. 600 grit wet dry sand paper get it wet and work the hole till smooth. This removes imperfections that could start a crack. Like large saw blades that are cut from the outside edge in for heat expansion, a circular hole is drilled to prevent a crack from occurring from the square edge. If the glass has a tiney square edge there, its the weak point. Test how smooth the hole is by dragging your nail perpendicular to the edge. Once its decent check smoothness with finger. Sanding is probably is not normally done however with it being thinner & weaker glass the imperfections will be much more susceptable.

    2. Go to Menard's and buy a nipple for vinyl tubing. Menard's carries ones that are elbow with one side threaded. Run vinyl from the bulkhead for around a minimum 6". This will allow flexing between the ridged pipe and the solid pvc.
     
  13. abower Well-Known ReefKeeper

    466
    Ryan, Ia
    Ratings:
    +74 / 1 / -0
    Another idea: It might work to take two pieces of 1/4" acrylic drilled same hole size as glass. Sandwich the glass, silicone between glass and acrylic on gasket side of bulkhead. This would distribute the face flex load on the glass. I'd still sand the hole.

    I'd recommend starting with my first suggestions.
     
  14. Joseph Gregerson

    Joseph Gregerson Inactive User

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    Thank you Ryan. I appreciate that very much. I am very much a beginner at drilling tanks.
     
  15. Justin S. Well-Known ReefKeeper

    436
    Pleasant Hill
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    I've used JB clear weld to stick acrylic to glass with great success. It takes a chisel to bust it off! Don't use silicone. You also have to get the gloss finish off the acrylic with sandpaper before you can bond / glue it to anything.
     
  16. Justin S. Well-Known ReefKeeper

    436
    Pleasant Hill
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    Additionally I suggest using lexan rather than regular acrylic for this purpose. Lexan is very difficult to crack.
     
  17. Justin S. Well-Known ReefKeeper

    436
    Pleasant Hill
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    And abower is right about using tubing for the first 6 inches. [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
     
  18. Joseph Gregerson

    Joseph Gregerson Inactive User

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    Awesome guys you have so very helpful. I now have so much more insight on something I thought was pretty straight forward. Props to everyone that pitched in
     

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