Drilling My Tank This Weekend

[x2boarder]

I have been using a HOB overflow (very loud and scary) for more than 2 years on my tank. This weekend, I am going to drill and install a much larger overflow area and installing a BeanAnimal style system.

Main Tank Prep

1. I need to move my fish, corals and LR down to my sump (100G Rubbermaid style).
2. I will move one of my LED light fixtures over the sump where I am going to be putting my corals
3. Then I will move my RW-15 into the sump so the flow is consistent
4. I will rig a smaller pump to still feed my skimmer box so I can continue to skim
5. Am I missing anything?

Main Tank Drill Procedure

• Drain remaining water and remove sand (should I discard? I have heard about really bad bacteria once exposed to air)
• Drill 3 1" bulkheads
• Silicone new overflow compartment
• Install plumbing
• Test fill the tank to make sure it doesn't explode
• Reverse process from above
• Am I missing anything?

Any advise, info, experience, help would be appreciated!

 

[Redman88]

Drilling My Tank This Weekend

Wait for the silicone to cure before fill.


Rinse the sand with RO several times. Saving a few cups unrinsed. To be covered by the rest.

 

[Willistein]

How big is the tank? Are you going to tip it on its front while you drill?

 

[mr.maroonsalty]

Silicon requires time to cure.

 

[Arronv]

Make sure you drill through slowly, don't apply to much pressure just the natural weight of the drill and keep the area wet/damp. I used some milliput to create a little wall around where I was drilling and just kept adding water as it drained.

 

[billdogg]

I would rinse the sand in the old tank water rather than RO. That way it all stays live. If you've never drilled before, it's way easier than you think. Take your time, no pressure on the drill set to it's lowest clutch setting. I put duct tape on the inside so the plug doesn't fall and break the tank. (guess how I learned that trick) Keep the bit wet - build a dam out of plumbers putty and keep it flooded.

 

[Cowdogz]

I left my tank upright when drilling. Just have a spray bottle of water on hand, and use it generously. I also had a container of water nearby to dunk the drill bit in occasionally.

 

[mmn]

One problem I had with laying it on its front is glass dust and water gets up between the glass and trim. I didn't see it until after it had dried. Impossible to get it all out.

 

[x2boarder]

How big is the tank? Are you going to tip it on its front while you drill?

It's 150G, I was planning on tipping it to make it easier to drill.

One problem I had with laying it on its front is glass dust and water gets up between the glass and trim. I didn't see it until after it had dried. Impossible to get it all out.

Interesting...maybe I will duct take the trim "closed" so it doesn't go everywhere.

I would rinse the sand in the old tank water rather than RO. That way it all stays live. If you've never drilled before, it's way easier than you think. Take your time, no pressure on the drill set to it's lowest clutch setting. I put duct tape on the inside so the plug doesn't fall and break the tank. (guess how I learned that trick) Keep the bit wet - build a dam out of plumbers putty and keep it flooded.

Thanks for the pointer! I don't want a cracked tank after all this work. I am still super worried about it shattering AFTER I put water back in it. I have visions of my family room becoming the swam room when I'm at work some day...but that is just as likely to happen should my U-Tube lose suction.

I read that I should be at least the drill bit width away from any edge, and I have a 24" overflow box so width wise I should be fine.

 

[Willistein]

A 150 is good - the bigger the tank, the thicker the glass, the easier it is to drill. When you get to the end, go very light on the pressure to minimize glass chipping on the opposite side. Holes for 1" bulkheads are pretty small, so no worries!

 

[x2boarder]

So life happened and I didn't get as far this weekend as I hoped. I did get everyone moved to the sump tonight and I think they actually love it! It's packed with rock and everyone has their own place...hope they keep it that way.

I have another 100lbs of dry rock that I got from eBay, supposedly clean quorried rock and all I have to do is rinse it. Anyone ever do this before? Should I do more than just rinse the sand off?