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DJ in WV

Drilling a 55gal to cycle rock and sand in

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DJ in WV
, 02-14-2011 at 10:29 PM (1448 Views)
Picked up a 55gal out of the local trade paper for the rock and substrate out of it for 100 bucks so i thought why not drill it and set up a cycle tank while im working on the 180. I got 2 over flow boxes off ebay for 45 dollars each that came with the cup saws for glass they were said to be 1200gph each but when i got them I didnt feel they would carry the 180 so why not drop them in this 55gal
Attachment 4040Attachment 4041this is what the kit came with

So next I did some measuring and made a jig for the cup to ride in during the cut
Attachment 4042

Next a few rings of plumbers putty to hold water during the cut was rolled out and applied the jig was clamped over the putty
Attachment 4043

Next added the water for the cut
Attachment 4044
Time to start drilling
Attachment 4045
well contrary to the all glass website some 55gal had all tempered panes not just bottoms
Attachment 4046
Lesson learned a 1987 55gal has all tempered glass panes
Well at least i got some rock and sand out of the deal
Attachment 4047Attachment 4048

60lb of rock and 80 lb sand was still worth the 100 bucks Learning a cheap lesson on tempered glass priceless.Well the glass is still popping after an hour so i think I will go ease my pain with a few shots.Have a nice laugh

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‎ Plumbing , ‎ Humour , ‎ DIY projects

Comments

  1. dahenley's Avatar
    i dont drill 55s because of this...... (but i have drilled a tempered tank before... and that is a sound you never forget!!!! )
    (im sure the rubbermade tube cost less then the glass drill bit.... and you can re-use it for something else, or give it back to your significant other when your done!! lol)
  2. Midnight's Avatar
    Fortunately you can have a glass shop cut you a new piece of non tempered glass and drill it and reassemble the tank. good reason to drill sides for a non display tank....smaller piece. we will wait for the write up on re-sealing the tank.
  3. Jato460's Avatar
    I cycle my rock in a 45g trash can with air and heat in it.
  4. DJ in WV's Avatar
    i have mine in 20 gal totes now
  5. JimM's Avatar
    Does anyone know how I can find out if my standard 29G bottom is tempered or not? I haven't been using this tank but thought I might set it up for a quorantine tank, frag tank, or etc. It's an old tank that I will have to reseal but seems pretty sound. The label on the frame is "Metaframe."
    Thanks.
  6. DJ in WV's Avatar
    http://www.salt-city.org/showthread....ss-is-tempered. this is a pretty good article on the subject wish i would have found it before I busted mine.