Drill Baby Drill?

[eweinig]

I drilled a few tanks and am local. The largest was a 90, and I rigged up a drill press I had borrowed, but with the stability of a press it limited where I could place the holes (easily).

One issue I did find was the glass dust/water slurry leaching between the brace and glass...in hindsight I'd tape that off to prevent.

Happy drilling (if you go that route).

EW

Originally Posted by Grumpy Vet

Ouch...I think Lynn just questioned my manhood. I better not let Mrs. GV see this thread or she'll think I need to man up too.

Kidding of course....still trying to decide which way to go. Have to run this morning, but I sincerely appreciate all the feedback via PM and in this thread. I'll check back and comment more.

Once I figure the tank and overflow out, I've got to try and decide how I can make my lighting work (at least temporarily) from what I have laying around from my previous tanks a few years ago. Later on down the road I can upgrade.

Thanks again,

GV

[Grumpy Vet]

I see Lynn lamented that she wished she had drilled her returns closer to the top. Is there an issue w/ being too close to the top presenting a greater chance for failure?

[Grumpy Vet]

Originally Posted by eweinig

I drilled a few tanks and am local. The largest was a 90, and I rigged up a drill press I had borrowed, but with the stability of a press it limited where I could place the holes (easily).

One issue I did find was the glass dust/water slurry leaching between the brace and glass...in hindsight I'd tape that off to prevent.

Happy drilling (if you go that route).

EW

Still researching which route I'm taking. It may seem like an overkill - but right now I have a finite budget and what I do in one area will preclude doing something else right now.

You don't happen to know anyone locally that is crazy enough to be hired to drill a few holes do you? I can't imagine the liability risk vs. monetary reward would be worth it to many businesses.

[eweinig]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Vet

Still researching which route I'm taking. It may seem like an overkill - but right now I have a finite budget and what I do in one area will preclude doing something else right now.

You don't happen to know anyone locally that is crazy enough to be hired to drill a few holes do you? I can't imagine the liability risk vs. monetary reward would be worth it to many businesses.

You could try to PM Wrench, he might know of somebody (crazy) that could do it. I think CMAS used to offer it as a service at some meetings as well, but that is a big tank to drag around.

Eric

[Grumpy Vet]

Originally Posted by eweinig

You could try to PM Wrench, he might know of somebody (crazy) that could do it. I think CMAS used to offer it as a service at some meetings as well, but that is a big tank to drag around.

Eric

So what you are saying is you will do it? I'm on my way.

[eweinig]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Vet

So what you are saying is you will do it? I'm on my way.

How many holes? PM Wrench the details. If he can do it, I would come over and help move the tank around as needed. Or if you find someone less jittery I can lend a hand moving the tank into position

I get too nervous working on other people's expensive tanks. I do like the jig idea, never used one myself but it makes sense.

EW

[James77]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Vet

I see Lynn lamented that she wished she had drilled her returns closer to the top. Is there an issue w/ being too close to the top presenting a greater chance for failure?

You want the edge of the hole at least the diameter of the hole away from any edge of the tank. I hope that makes sense....if you have a 2" hole you are drilling, you want the edge of that hole at least 2" away from any corner/edge of the tank.

Can I tell you drilling is sooooo easy? I have done a couple dozen, and never had problems. There was a thread that detailed it well. Here it is:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=603816

Use some form of dam to create a pool to cool the diamond saw. I use a thin piece of plywood with a cutout of the hole saw as a starting guide so the saw won't jump. Practice on a junk tank for 2 or 3 holes. For the hell of it I tried just carlessly drilling on a junk tank with no water and almost trying to have it crack....drilled fine, though the holes face was messy.

Its EASY!

[pmrossetti]

James, Is that rule of thumb the same for acrylic tanks? Distance of hole from top of tank, I mean.

thank you

[James77]

Originally Posted by pmrossetti

James, Is that rule of thumb the same for acrylic tanks? Distance of hole from top of tank, I mean.

thank you

I'm not really sure....I don't know acrylic tanks that well. Sorry . I would think you could have it a little closer because of the strength of acrylic and the bond at the edges, but I would check with a manufacturer or someone here that knows the answer.

[eweinig]

I'd be interesting in knowing the answer too....

[Gold Stripe]

For me its not so much about the drilling of the tank. Drilling is VERY easy. But if you consider the cost difference once you buy the drill bit and the overflow kits, why wouldnt you just go with the reef ready tank?

My current tank is a 65H with a GH 700 overflow kit and I HATE IT! I went and bought an Aqueon reef ready 65 and am going to tear down my mature tank that I love and start over just because I hate the current overflow/return setup so much. I will still drill the holes for my closed loop myself because like I said, drilling is the EASY part.

However, unless you are an engineer or have a very experienced aquarist helping you design the system (and I mean inch by inch) you will likely go through several setups before you find the one you like. A drain here or a return there off by just an inch will frustrate you to no end. After you are done you will undoubtedly wish you had done it just a little different. Why not just buy the tank that was designed by the pros and proven to work.

You will be told by some on here that the reef ready setups are noisy or risky or ........ I have owned several over the last 12 years and after trying my own designs, I have always gone back to the pros.

There are some great designs on here like the Herbie and BeanAnimal but if you are doubting your ability, I wouldnt try it by myself. You have to have the height of the holes just right and the length of the pipe just right in the overflow, etc. Like I said earlier, just an inch off can frustrate you to no end.

Good luck with whatever you do.

[James77]

I cannot stand the footprint of the standard ReefReady tanks, it made is a PITA for aquascaping and they take up far too much room.

I drilled a horizontal overflow that is only 2.5" front to back, 24" long and 5" high. It is still an eyesore in the tank, but much less so than the the 2 reefready walls.

Cost for me for it was a $10 glass sheet that I cut up, the $15 drill bit, and an $8 tube of black silicone. It saved money over the AGA RR, but more importantly I got a small footprint overflow that is quieter, does not trap detritus at the bottom and much more effective at skimming the surface by having over 2 feet of edge for the surface to fall over without teeth.

My next tank (hopefully) will be a custom setup with an external overflow setup. I ahve seen a few in persion, and the lack of the eyesore of an overflow is amazing.

[Names Brucey]

I just got my drill bits in to drill my 180 in the next week or so. If all goes well, I would be willing to lend a hand drilling what you have if you are interested. I work in Columbia and live in Middle River so not a big deal.

[Grumpy Vet]

Originally Posted by Names Brucey

I just got my drill bits in to drill my 180 in the next week or so. If all goes well, I would be willing to lend a hand drilling what you have if you are interested. I work in Columbia and live in Middle River so not a big deal.

That is an amazing offer. I appreciate that. If I can help you with anything, let me know. I'm still toying w/ options and I have not purchased my tank yet...so I'm still a little ways off. However, if I go w/ drilling, everything goes well w/ yours and you would be willing to help / advise....I'd appreciate some company (no liability implied or expressed on your behalf).

Right now, I'm doing my best to plan everything out....get advice from those that know....try to get caught up on the newest inventions, equipment and generally accepted practices so I don't make a dumb mistake in my set up. I have a lot of stuff from my old tank and I'm trying to use what I have to keep costs to a minimum. As I come up w/ a plan...I'm having to shift money from tank to lighting and from sump to return pump....etc.

[Grumpy Vet]

Double Post

[dogstar74]

Ok so honestly, I have been fighting this battle within myself for 10 years. It's the battle of scrimping a little, or getting exactly what you want. With a 125 gallon tank, the costs of operation could EASILY reach 10,000 bucks. Few people can get by with cheaper systems. Either they get their water from the ocean, or they have ready made solar tubes in the ceiling, but in the grand scheme of things, 150 bucks of 10,000 bucks is only 1.5% of the cost of the entire system. If it helps you sleep better knowing that the holes are where you wanted them, and it was drilled at the factory, then 1.5% increase in the cost is nothing for the piece of mind you'll have.

Don't sacrifice anything in this hobby. It leads to misery, and in the end is more expensive because you go buy the right equiptment later anyway. If you find you're cash strapped, then go with a smaller tank.

Just my .02
Aaron

[Grumpy Vet]

Originally Posted by dogstar74

..........Just my .02
Aaron

Thanks for the input....

So you vote going reef ready?

[dogstar74]

yup

[Names Brucey]

Unfortunately I would disagree because with reef ready you can not always establish the system or set-up you want. I have viewed countless reef ready tanks and 9 times out of 10 the owner has a wish list a mile long on what they would change. I love the concept of an open slate to build your system how you want, whether that is drilling for overflows and closed loops or going with MP40's and a simple overflow. Regardless, take your time and know what your end goal is. Having said all that, what are your plans for lighting, flow, etc...

[Grumpy Vet]

I guess with just about everything...you ask 50 people and you get 50 different answers.

I appreciate all the input to help me make my decision.

Originally Posted by Names Brucey

Having said all that, what are your plans for lighting, flow, etc...

I'm working on laying out my lighting right now. I opened a lighting thread in a different thread.

I'm trying to incorporate as much of what I already own right now to keep re-startup costs down and upgrade over time.

Lighting at this point is planned at 3x175W halides and 4 T5 HO bulbs and some moonlighting. I was trying to find a way to incorporate the double PC Quad 96W ballast and lights I have, but can't figure out how to lay it out and make it work over the tank.

Flow....I was planning on a Mag 9 return. Four maxijet 1200s (want to look into mods...never used them before). In my last tank, I used the return off the skimmer with a SCWD and two returns back into the tank.

Any advice on either of these areas is appreciated. I'm in no major hurry to get started. I want to have it planned out as much as I can before I buy the tank, cut a hole in the wall.....etc.

Thanks for helping.

GV