Drilling an already running tank?

uscreef · 11/10/2007, 04:03 PM

I have a 40 breeder and would really like to drill an outlet to go to my sump/skimmer instead of worrying about an overflow box. Is it possible to drill the tank even though it's already filled and functioning if I just lower the water level below the new hole?

Reefjunkee · 11/10/2007, 04:11 PM

I dont see why not.I would just make sure I had something large enough on hand in case You break the tank to put all Your livestock in.Make sure it is not tempered or it will break.

Ehgemus · 11/10/2007, 05:06 PM

people have before, I say if you have the balls go for it.

33down · 11/10/2007, 05:16 PM

I drilled my 29 gal when it was already running for 6 months. I just made the overflow and sump before hand, then took the fish and live rock out and put them in rubbermaid containers. I dilled it with the water 1/4 full ( no need to removed substrate) clamped and silicone the overflow on, after 24 hours put the water, fish,live rock back in . Worked very well.

itZme · 11/10/2007, 05:23 PM

I also drilled one of my first tanks, a 29g, while it was full of corals and fish. I just lowered the water about 4 inches and drilled from the inside. Just be careful and go slow. I think having a rubbermaid tub around is a good idea in case you have trouble and need to save your animals in a hurry.

Irvine · 11/10/2007, 07:53 PM

With drilling an established tank from the inside would'nt glass dust be a concern?

itZme · 11/10/2007, 08:02 PM

Glass dust = sand .. .. melted sand = glass

I didn't worry but some people are more worried about things than I am.

kgross · 11/10/2007, 11:24 PM

It is not a good idea to do, since if it cracks for any reason you have lots of problems, but it can be done, and I have done it many times to be honest. Also if you use a 5 sided overflow box that has a hole in it for the bulkhead, you do not have to wait for the silicone to dry to hold the box in place. You can have the tank back up and running a few minutes after you finish the hole. Just have the bulkhead go through the overflow box, with a bead of silicone around the bulkhead hole to seal the box to the back of the tank.

Kim

Young Frankenstein · 11/11/2007, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by itZme
Glass dust = sand .. .. melted sand = glass I didn't worry but some people are more worried about things than I am.

Not exactly, as many fragments may be very sharp and either slash your fingers one day or your fish

kuramura · 11/11/2007, 08:37 AM

I have done it on 125 3/8" glass just lower water below the hole
clamp piece of wood on the inside to avoid chips as the holesaw goes through and cool it with ro water 5 min.tops good lock

itZme · 11/11/2007, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 0 Agios
Not exactly, as many fragments may be very sharp and either slash your fingers one day or your fish

I have never seen anything but dust come off a diamond holesaw. I have drilled LOTS of holes and the only time I have seen a little pc that was sharp was when I was using someone else's drill and holesaw and it chunked a bit on the way out of the backside of the hole. That would be outside of the tank anyway though.

I didn't say I recommended doing it but it can be done quite easily and harmlessly if all goes well.

Good luck to the OP with whatever you decide

11/10/2007, 04:03 PM	#1
uscreef Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 53	Drilling an already running tank? I have a 40 breeder and would really like to drill an outlet to go to my sump/skimmer instead of worrying about an overflow box. Is it possible to drill the tank even though it's already filled and functioning if I just lower the water level below the new hole?

11/10/2007, 04:11 PM	#2
Reefjunkee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Evans,Georgia Posts: 634	I dont see why not.I would just make sure I had something large enough on hand in case You break the tank to put all Your livestock in.Make sure it is not tempered or it will break. __________________ "It was only 20 dollars honey (yeah right)and when it grows bigger I can frag it sell it and triple my money!!!" Current Tank Info: 92 corner bow,160lb`s Figi,SPS,LPS and a few softies,EuroReef CS8-3 skimmer,MRC dual reactor,OM supersquirt on Iwaki MD30rlxt w/4 returns,2 Tunze 6055`s w/multicontroller,poseiden auto top off,aqualogic 1/3 chiller,blah,blah,blah,blah

11/10/2007, 11:24 PM	#8
kgross Premium Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Nampa, ID Posts: 5,873	It is not a good idea to do, since if it cracks for any reason you have lots of problems, but it can be done, and I have done it many times to be honest. Also if you use a 5 sided overflow box that has a hole in it for the bulkhead, you do not have to wait for the silicone to dry to hold the box in place. You can have the tank back up and running a few minutes after you finish the hole. Just have the bulkhead go through the overflow box, with a bead of silicone around the bulkhead hole to seal the box to the back of the tank. Kim __________________ Proud Member of the Idaho Marine Aquarium Society America will only be the Land of the Free as long as it is the Home of the Brave. Current Tank Info: AGA 180gallon tank, VHO/MH lighting, DSB, calcium reactor, Also a 7 Gallon Nano softy tank, and a 32 gallon cube

11/11/2007, 08:37 AM	#10
kuramura Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Schiller Pk. IL Posts: 475	I have done it on 125 3/8" glass just lower water below the hole clamp piece of wood on the inside to avoid chips as the holesaw goes through and cool it with ro water 5 min.tops good lock __________________ Click red house to see my tank. Current Tank Info: 36 corner, DIY stand and sump, Phoenix 14K 250W M\H

11/10/2007, 05:06 PM	#3
Ehgemus Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Central City Ky Posts: 1,590	people have before, I say if you have the balls go for it.

11/10/2007, 05:16 PM	#4
33down Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4	I drilled my 29 gal when it was already running for 6 months. I just made the overflow and sump before hand, then took the fish and live rock out and put them in rubbermaid containers. I dilled it with the water 1/4 full ( no need to removed substrate) clamped and silicone the overflow on, after 24 hours put the water, fish,live rock back in . Worked very well.

11/10/2007, 05:23 PM	#5
itZme Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: High Springs, FL Posts: 2,955	I also drilled one of my first tanks, a 29g, while it was full of corals and fish. I just lowered the water about 4 inches and drilled from the inside. Just be careful and go slow. I think having a rubbermaid tub around is a good idea in case you have trouble and need to save your animals in a hurry.

11/10/2007, 07:53 PM	#6
Irvine Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Ontario Posts: 63	With drilling an established tank from the inside would'nt glass dust be a concern?

11/10/2007, 08:02 PM	#7
itZme Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: High Springs, FL Posts: 2,955	Glass dust = sand .. .. melted sand = glass I didn't worry but some people are more worried about things than I am.