Drilling Live Rock

Westfield · 10/02/2015, 10:52 AM

I am building a new reef only aquarium and migrating some live rock
I have Sterilized and drying the live rock to ensure no critters I am not sure
So I plan to drill more holes than I need currently
I have used a concrete drill, they work OK but they chatter as the cutting edges are rough

My thoughts are
#1 Drill with a standard drill bit ???
#2 Drill when the rocks are wet ??
Suggestions

Thanks John W

Psirex · 10/02/2015, 10:54 AM

Masonary bit and drill wet.........

AdamD76 · 10/03/2015, 05:35 AM

A hammer drill and carbide or diamond masonry bit.

Ocean envy · 10/03/2015, 06:32 AM

+1 on hammer drill and drilling wet.

sleepydoc · 10/03/2015, 07:54 AM

Most rock is relatively soft and porous calcium carbonate, so a regular drill with s carbide tipped masonry bit works fine. A regular twist bit would probably work, too. Just don't expect to use it for anything afterwards.

kinnadian · 10/04/2015, 02:31 AM

What are you drilling the holes for? Caves?

Depending on the rock type you may be able to use a chisel to make caves.

Arthur1 · 10/04/2015, 09:26 AM

Thank you again sleepy...I have always used "regular" drill bits when drilling live rock, just don't press down very hard as the possibility of splitting the rock is there (depending on rock size, density and drilling location etc). To adjust the shape of a side, a masonry (brick) hammer is utilized, just be gentle.

davehead86 · 10/04/2015, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kinnadian

What are you drilling the holes for? Caves?

Depending on the rock type you may be able to use a chisel to make caves.

Drill holes in the rock so you can "connect" pieces and make it more stable. Its a good idea so you dont have to glue live rock together if your concerned about having to remove it for catching a fish etc.

davocean · 10/04/2015, 12:34 PM

I don't like using regular wood drill bits, while they can bore through rock, the sharp edges can catch and lock onto rock really easy, causing it to bind or spin rock.
A regular drill and a cheapo masonry bit works just fine.
I always oversize the bit slightly to the rods I'm using, 5/8" bit for 1/2" rod, that little bit of squeak room helps.

karimwassef · 10/04/2015, 12:56 PM

I've never had a lot of luck drilling real live rock. It fractures very easily wet or dry. Also, once you have the holes drilled, they can't always take the stress of zip ties, rods or other attachments.

So even if you drill successfully, that doesn't mean you'll always be able to use the holes as intended.

I think it depends on the consistency of the rock. Dense rock probably works ok, but very light very porous rock is harder to keep intact.

davocean · 10/04/2015, 02:20 PM

It definitely depends on the rock, the sand stone type stuff crumbles or fractures easy.
If you can learn how to drill between veins that may help, that and go slow w/ little pressure.
My rock structures have held up during some fairly good sized earthquakes and I can lift them completely intact doing a tank swap.

nematode · 10/09/2015, 11:13 AM

The only luck I have had is using a glass/tile bit. The masonry bits all cause my rock to fracture. But with the diamond arbored bit it usually works. also drill wet.

diamond LENOX 1/2-in Diamond Arbored Hole Saw from Lowe's is what I used.
This was to make hole for frag plugs.

HaiD888 · 10/09/2015, 12:02 PM

Hammer drill, masonry bit, drill wet, and be patient. I drill the branch rock and it take me about 3 to 5 min.

Larz_1 · 10/09/2015, 11:35 PM

Hammer drill, masonry bit, acrylic rod and pond foam.
I drilled the holes through the rock, inserted the rod and sprayed pond foam into the hole around the rod and between the rocks.

Psirex · 12/28/2015, 12:18 PM

That foam is reef safe?!?!?

outy · 12/28/2015, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepydoc

Most rock is relatively soft and porous calcium carbonate, so a regular drill with s carbide tipped masonry bit works fine. A regular twist bit would probably work, too. Just don't expect to use it for anything afterwards.

Exactly!!!!!!!!

I use a 5/8 bit hold in my hand and it chews right through it.

That way I can stuff corals in the holes and or stack with 1/2" pvc support pipe.

10/03/2015, 07:54 AM	#5
sleepydoc Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,907	Most rock is relatively soft and porous calcium carbonate, so a regular drill with s carbide tipped masonry bit works fine. A regular twist bit would probably work, too. Just don't expect to use it for anything afterwards. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 120 gallon, coast to coast overflow w/beananimal overflow. Waveline DC 10000 II return pump, 40 gal sump, Octopus XS200 skimmer, T5 lighting

10/04/2015, 12:34 PM	#9
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I don't like using regular wood drill bits, while they can bore through rock, the sharp edges can catch and lock onto rock really easy, causing it to bind or spin rock. A regular drill and a cheapo masonry bit works just fine. I always oversize the bit slightly to the rods I'm using, 5/8" bit for 1/2" rod, that little bit of squeak room helps. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

10/04/2015, 12:56 PM	#10
karimwassef Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 11,033	I've never had a lot of luck drilling real live rock. It fractures very easily wet or dry. Also, once you have the holes drilled, they can't always take the stress of zip ties, rods or other attachments. So even if you drill successfully, that doesn't mean you'll always be able to use the holes as intended. I think it depends on the consistency of the rock. Dense rock probably works ok, but very light very porous rock is harder to keep intact. __________________ Failure isn't an option It's a requirement. 660g 380inwall+280smp/surge S/L/Soft/Maxima/RBTA/Clown/Chromis/Anthias/Tang/Mandarin/Jawfish/Goby/Wrasse/D'back. DIY 12' Skimmer ActuatedSurge ConcreteScape

10/04/2015, 02:20 PM	#11
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	It definitely depends on the rock, the sand stone type stuff crumbles or fractures easy. If you can learn how to drill between veins that may help, that and go slow w/ little pressure. My rock structures have held up during some fairly good sized earthquakes and I can lift them completely intact doing a tank swap. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

10/09/2015, 11:35 PM	#14
Larz_1 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Amarillo, TX Posts: 182	Hammer drill, masonry bit, acrylic rod and pond foam. I drilled the holes through the rock, inserted the rod and sprayed pond foam into the hole around the rod and between the rocks. __________________ You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means ..... Current Tank Info: 120g Reef Tank

10/02/2015, 10:52 AM	#1
Westfield Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Westfield, Indiana Posts: 74	Drilling Live Rock I am building a new reef only aquarium and migrating some live rock I have Sterilized and drying the live rock to ensure no critters I am not sure So I plan to drill more holes than I need currently I have used a concrete drill, they work OK but they chatter as the cutting edges are rough My thoughts are #1 Drill with a standard drill bit ??? #2 Drill when the rocks are wet ?? Suggestions Thanks John W

10/02/2015, 10:54 AM	#2
Psirex Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 1,934	Masonary bit and drill wet......... __________________ SALINITY NOW....

10/03/2015, 05:35 AM	#3
AdamD76 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: NH Posts: 74	A hammer drill and carbide or diamond masonry bit.

10/03/2015, 06:32 AM	#4
Ocean envy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 102	+1 on hammer drill and drilling wet.

10/04/2015, 02:31 AM	#6
kinnadian Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 187	What are you drilling the holes for? Caves? Depending on the rock type you may be able to use a chisel to make caves.

10/04/2015, 09:26 AM	#7
Arthur1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cape Cod MA Posts: 578	Thank you again sleepy...I have always used "regular" drill bits when drilling live rock, just don't press down very hard as the possibility of splitting the rock is there (depending on rock size, density and drilling location etc). To adjust the shape of a side, a masonry (brick) hammer is utilized, just be gentle.

10/09/2015, 11:13 AM	#12
nematode Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Saint Louis Posts: 720	The only luck I have had is using a glass/tile bit. The masonry bits all cause my rock to fracture. But with the diamond arbored bit it usually works. also drill wet. diamond LENOX 1/2-in Diamond Arbored Hole Saw from Lowe's is what I used. This was to make hole for frag plugs.

10/09/2015, 12:02 PM	#13
HaiD888 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 57	Hammer drill, masonry bit, drill wet, and be patient. I drill the branch rock and it take me about 3 to 5 min.

12/28/2015, 12:18 PM	#15
Psirex Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 1,934	That foam is reef safe?!?!? __________________ SALINITY NOW....