Drill bit for rock, which one?

[coryjac0b]

I have a little bit a hair algea problem that is going down, but ot quick enough for me, so i was thinking about removing all the rock and scrubbing it. While i had the rock out i was gonna re-scape the tank with some acrylic rod.

My question is what kind of bit should i use for drilling in the rock, just a regular masonry bit or something else?

 

[Rhodophyta]

Regular bits for concrete or masonry will probably do the job. You don't need a bit for a hammer drill since you could break rock apart more easily with such a tool. There are some companies that claim their bits drill straighter and rounder holes faster, and that might be worth it. OTOH, Sears may have a better warranty on some of their bits. I've seen people come into Sears with Craftsman tools they've obviously abused and misused and instantly get them replaced with brand new ones. A coring drill bit pretty much assures a nice round hole. In freshwater ponds, I've used waterfall foam to glue rocks together without drilling and it works great there. No idea how it would hold up in saltwater.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Most of the "rock" we use in the hobby is very soft. Just about any masonry bit will work just fine. As mentioned, you don't need a hammer drill.

For lerger holes, you can use the carbide grit style hole saws.

 

[demc2h]

Regular masonry bit works great,I have even used a standard bit with no problems

 

[Meisen]

Yeppers, masonry bit has drilled 100s of holes for me with only a few cracking the rock.

Try to drill in a natural spot in the rock ie where a pilot hole exists. Also make sure you are at least 1" (2-3" in crumbly, soft rock) from any edge of the rock so you dont punch out the edge of the rock while drilling the hole.

One more tip, wear goggles while doing this!!! If you get any of the crapola from the rock in your eyes it is a recipe for infection or worse. Vibrio and other nasty bacteria are found in and on live rock, you dont want some exotic eye infection to get your doc all excited about (or worse, for him or her to miss)!!!!

 

[jh2pizza]

and if you want say a 5/8" hole or larger for a frag plug, I like to use a bi-metal hole saw. They work great at cutting a perfect plug for epoxy.

 

[siropa]

I've broken more rock using masonry bits than when i've used regular ones. but if you don't push too hard, either of them work.

 

[BeanAnimal]

The black and decker black carbite masonry hole saws are perfect for frag plugs. Th pilot portion of the bit creates a perfect recess for the frag plug nipple...

 

[coryjac0b]

i dont plan on doing any holes bigger than 3/8 or 1/2, so hopefully i wont crack any rocks.

 

[screenguy]

i have used both regular drill bits and masanary , i personally like standard drill bits. live rock is soft except for branch tonga,i have drilled tonga also but it takes a while and u have a better chance of breakin it

 

[coryjac0b]

i pulled out a piece of rock and tested the masonry bit and the regular bit, and it seems the masonry did a lot more damage than the regular bit. the rock is so soft that the regular works best.

 

[Rhodophyta]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12939554#post12939554 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coryjac0b
i pulled out a piece of rock and tested the masonry bit and the regular bit, and it seems the masonry did a lot more damage than the regular bit. the rock is so soft that the regular works best.

By "regular" bit, do you mean a wood drill bit or a metal drill bit? Carbide or hardened steel? There are lots of kinds and quality levels of bits.

I've seen rocks break while drilling them, but I have never blamed it on the concrete or masonry drill bit. Usually it was a weak area or void that would have come apart no matter what bit had been used. Maybe you are just using a bit that forces you to take it easy. Not a bad reason to continue using what worked for you before. But depending on what kind or material you mostly drill holes in, regular bit could mean lots of different things to different people.

 

[boxer385]

hey coryjac i want to do the same let know how it runs out, where
would i get arcrylic rods from.

another thing i need to add more sand i didn't put enough when
i started my tank, since it has cycled, should i take out most of the water to get the sand and would i have to let the tank cycle again?

 

[Rhodophyta]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12941035#post12941035 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by boxer385
hey coryjac i want to do the same let know how it runs out, where
would i get arcrylic rods from.

another thing i need to add more sand i didn't put enough when
i started my tank, since it has cycled, should i take out most of the water to get the sand and would i have to let the tank cycle again?

If you can't find them in a local plastics or hobby shop, don't substitute nylon rod, which swells the longer it is submerged. You can substitute plastic PVC pipe. It's the cheap alternative, but you have to drill bigger holes for it.