Need Help to Drill Tank

[longhorn_20m]

I'm located in South Austin and looking for volunteer to help/let me borrow tools to complete.

The Task:

The tank is full, so not sure the difficultly of drilling while tank populated. Anybody complete this task before?

[chrismikea]

yeah it can be done. just be sure that its not temp glass or you will have a big mess on your floor. iam not really sure of any LFS that will let you borrrow there tools

[longhorn_20m]

How do you know if it is temp?

It is an Oceanic 58 RR.

[chrismikea]

call oceanic and ask them. but if its a RR why would you need to drill it??

[longhorn_20m]

I'm currently running over the top closed loop and have been thinking of ideas to up my flow. I'm leaning towards an Oceansmotions Squirt and would have to do some replumbing. I would also like to at the same time, remove the over the top and go ahead and drill the tank.

[hoho19]

I don't think it's probably wise to drill a full tank. The stress from the drilling can crack the glass. Then your tank won't be full any longer :D

[Bill S]

You can call Oceanic. Have your tank serial number when you call.

Oh, and empty the tank first. Or, at least drain it down to the substrate. I helped a friend drill a 2 inch hole in the bottom of his 28 foot sailboat - in the water! Boy, THAT was interesting!

[longhorn_20m]

I guess I will stick with the over the top, I didn't think about the stress from the water. I was planning on removing just enough water to have a dry spot for the placement of the hole.

[RZA2222]

Good idea not drilling your tank. It is really risky unless you have the right equipment. Especially without breaking the tank down. You need to cool the bit with liquid and it would be really hard to do so without the tank being on its side. I have drilled many tanks but would never drill a tank that was established and full of water/live rock.