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spearperson

Experienced Reefer
Location
Mid 30s East
Rating - 100%
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Can anyone give me info about drilling a tank? What equip I need? How easy is it? I am trying to buy a reef ready but the best deals seem to be on un-drilled tanks so I figured I should see if it would make sense just to save money on a non RR tank. OR if anyone out there has a 4ft any gallon RR tank for sale at a reasonable price let me know.
 

spearperson

Experienced Reefer
Location
Mid 30s East
Rating - 100%
6   0   0
Thanks, those links are very helpful, did you use a basic electric hand drill? I saw it done at a LFS once but they used sort of a mobile drill press contraption.
 

meschaefer

One to Ignore
Location
Astoria
Rating - 100%
30   0   0
I used a hand-drill to drill the tank. The one problem with using a hand-drill, is that the bit wants to "walk" when you are getting the cut started (i.e. it is hard to keep the bit in one place). I crossed two clamps across the top of the tank so that they formed a V near where I wanted the hole. I used the inside of the V to help hold the drill in place while I got the hole started. There are other methods to do this that are discussed in the article, which may be easier to use depending on what you have available.

I have a drill press, but didn't use it because the drill is heavy and so is the tank I used for a sump (120g with eurobracing). To manipulate the tank so that both it and the drill where in the same place was a hassle. That being said, a drill press would be much, much easier. It wont allow the bit to "walk", and it is easier to use the pumping action described in the article. I will use the drill press to make the holes on some of the smaller tanks that will be eventually added to the system.

There are vendors on this site that will drill holes for you, House of Fish is one of them.
 

bigbris1

Re-reefer
Location
Manhattan
Rating - 100%
42   0   0
I recently drilled my tank & the thread on RC, Drilling your tank for bulkheads by JustOneMoreTank was invaluable. You must read the entire thread.
 

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