How to Drill an Aquarium for a Canister Filter

The thought of drilling a hole in the side of a fish tank can be a scary thought. This is especially true if you are contemplating drilling a large aquarium. A mistake could result in scratching the glass at minimum or even cracking the glass rendering the tank useless. Not only is this expensive but it could cause the complete loss of a reef if the tank was previously supporting life. However, with the right tools and proper planning, drilling a tank for a canister filter is not as scary or dangerous as you might have been thinking.

Things You'll Need

  • 40 mm diamond tipped drill bit
  • Electric drill
  • Drill plate
  • Sponge
  • Smooth rounded file
  • Black marker
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Instructions

    • 1

      Mark the location of the inlet and outlet holes using the drill plate and a black marker. The holes should be located as close to the top of the tank as possible to avoid cracking the glass.

    • 2

      Hold the drill plate on the location where the inlet hole is to be drilled.

    • 3

      Slowly drill the hole using a forty millimeter diamond coated drill bit. According to 365 Drills.com using slower drill speeds in conjunction with a drill plate will allow the drill to chip away at the glass without slipping.

    • 4

      Keep the drill bit turning and keep slight pressure on the bit until the drill bit works completely through the glass. Complete this process with the outlet hole.

    • 5

      Smooth out any sharp edges on the inlet hole using a fine cut round file. Complete this process with the outlet hole.

    • 6

      Wipe the tank clean of any glass shards created by cutting the holes.