How to Drill an Aquarium Tank

Water movement is vital to the success of a marine reef tank. Wave makers are popular but expensive. Many hobbyists prefer to use an outboard sump pump to pump the water out of the tank, through a filter and then back into the tank to create waves and water movement. Although this can be done by running an inlet tube and an outlet tube out of the top of the tank, this method is considered an eye sore to most. They opt instead for drilling the tank to allow for a cleaner installation.

Things You'll Need

  • 40-millimeter diamond drill bit
  • Cordless drill
  • Drill plate or template
  • Blue painter̵7;s tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Locate the back of the tank and cover the inside of the glass with blue painter̵7;s tape where you want to locate the inlet and the outlet holes. This will help to prevent slivers of glass from going inside the tank. Per Advanced Aquarist.com, drilled holes should be as close to the top of the tank as possible to minimize the risk of cracking the glass when the piping is placed under pressure.

    • 2

      Place the drill plate against the outside of the glass in the exact location where you want to drill the inlet hole. The drill plate will help to keep the drill bit from slipping on the glass and prevent scratches.

    • 3

      Drill the hole using the slowest speed the drill allows. Apply steady pressure but do not push too hard. This could break the glass. You will feel the drill bit break through the glass. Do not push the glass through the painter̵7;s tape. Drill the outlet hole in the same manner as the inlet hole.

    • 4

      Remove the blue painter̵7;s tape. Complete this step slowly to avoid getting slivers in the tank.