How to use a drainage ball valve on viv

[kueluck]

I've looked at several videos and it looks easy, but then when some one knows what they're doing it ALWAYS looks easy. Did you use a diamond keyhole bit?

[Mentat]

Contact Lynn; think she gets someone to drill ExoTerra's for her and maybe can offer ideas .

[kueluck]

Thanks, will do.

[deranged chipmunk]

It was a diamond bit. Has to be, nothing else will drill through glass.

[deranged chipmunk]

It's really not hard whatsoever. It's more nerve wracking than anything.

[kueluck]

Easy for you to say, you've been through it.

I've got to get some work done, think I've processed maybe 10 orders and 2 new customers. Good thing it's slow and the boss in staying in his office. Playing hooky AT work.

[deranged chipmunk]

I do that everyday!! Lol

[kueluck]

you must be a federal worker. ;o)

I do that everyday!! Lol

[deranged chipmunk]

Nah. Mechanic. Amazing how often I need to go to my tool box for tools (where my phone is kept) lol

[kamikaze]

Drill from the inside out not outside in that way when it chips some on the exit its on the side that cant leak trust me i have done a few for my reef tanks. You need to call exo terra though to know if u can drill the bottom.

[kueluck]

All the videos you see show drilling from out to in, and the glass is not tempered on the bottom so no problems there. I've also found an Aquarium place who has a "guy" that does it, so it's being done this weekend. $20 for drilling and bulkhead.

Drill from the inside out not outside in that way when it chips some on the exit its on the side that cant leak trust me i have done a few for my reef tanks. You need to call exo terra though to know if u can drill the bottom.

[kamikaze]

All the videos you see show drilling from out to in, and the glass is not tempered on the bottom so no problems there. I've also found an Aquarium place who has a "guy" that does it, so it's being done this weekend. $20 for drilling and bulkhead.

It will chip on the exit its best to have the clean cut be inside. Not every hole chips but unless you have done it a few times and have good tools i would go inside out trust me i have a 21x18x21 cube tank in my house with 2 messed up holes and ill have to make them bigger just to sell the tank now that im out of reef keeping. It was my first try. The outside holes look great the insides are chipped though.

[kueluck]

OK, got the tank back today with perfect cut hole, now letting the background set Natural Cork Tile Background I Love these!!

So now I need to cut the egg crate, what's the best way to do this? And don't type carefully either, and yes I'm talking to you. I've never worked with this before so didn't know if power tools i.e. table, skill or jig saw will crack it, or maybe a hack saw would work best.


FYI the bulkhead and hole was $20.

[kamikaze]

needle nose pliers cut the center of a row u dont want then break the ones u cut off making a clean break on the edge u want to keep. It wont be sharp then. so if you want a piece to be 5 rows tall cut the 6th and then bend the pieces to the side it will break clean then. Or you can just cut it and not worry about the sharp edge.

[Mentat]

...So now I need to cut the egg crate, what's the best way to do this? And don't type carefully either, and yes I'm talking to you...

You talking to me... ? Crack me up Gail! Let's see, egg crate cutting... hacksaw will work, so will snipping them with tin snip scissors or side cutters, also hitting then with large screw driver or similar works fast for long linear cuts .

[deranged chipmunk]

I use dykes (side cutters, wire cutters, whatever you want to call them), essentially the same way kamikaze does, but I cut the opposite end flush, leaving the area I want with a full piece exposed, then i use the dykes to run along the left over pieces. They go flying, but saves your fingers from snapping them.

[flybyferns]

OK, got the tank back today with perfect cut hole, now letting the background set Natural Cork Tile Background I Love these!!

So now I need to cut the egg crate, what's the best way to do this? And don't type carefully either, and yes I'm talking to you. I've never worked with this before so didn't know if power tools i.e. table, skill or jig saw will crack it, or maybe a hack saw would work best.


FYI the bulkhead and hole was $20.

Hooray !
I'm glad it's done Great price.

[kueluck]

Now that's what I'm talking about, teamwork. Ya'll so helpful.

[Heatheranne]

I just use tin snips and wear gloves when cutting eggcrate. The pieces do fly a bit. I sit over a garbage bag like its a tarp and just roll it up and toss it when done .

[kueluck]

I cut the main piece and decided I want a pair of spring loaded dykes........just in case I want to do more of this. Also one can NEVER have to many tools.