Drilling rock for acrylic rods. Soak rock first?

[Flameback Pair]

I want to drill holes in fountain dryrock to insert acrylic rods. And place rock on top of the rods through the rods that are sticking out of the rock below. However I’m afraid of the Marco foundation rock cracking/breaking. If I soak the dryrock in water until it is saturated will this prevent breaking? Or if I drill slow and keep the bit cool will it matter if the rock is wet or not?

 

[blaxsun]

Glueing is a less invasive option.

 

[nickmealey]

I haven't heard of that before. I bet it really depends on where you drill the holes. Obviously the closer to center the less likely you'll have it split. I've drilled rock before dry no problem. You might want to try on a few other pieces first before you drill the expensive base rock.

 

[KomsCorals]

Following along!

 

[DaddyFish]

*** Edited - You talking about this stuff?

 

[ReeferLou]

I use a masonry bit and drill press to drill frag plug holes all the time into live rock pieces. Just take it slow. Never split any rock. Rock was wet for me so that may have helped. Securing the piece while drilling was my main concern for some of the smaller pieces. EDIT - your pic does not look exactly like the bit I used - I did not use the impact drill version.

 

[Flameback Pair]

I use a masonry bit and drill press to drill frag plug holes all the time into live rock pieces. Just take it slow. Never split any rock. Rock was wet for me so that may have helped. Securing the piece while drilling was my main concern for some of the smaller pieces. EDIT - your pic does not look exactly like the bit I used - I did not use the impact drill version.

I've got one of these Craftsman bench top drill presses. I have had it for about 3 years and never used it. I'll try it out on a test piece first.

 

[Flameback Pair]

@ReeferLou

 

[Flameback Pair]

@ReeferLou was your bit anything like this? Says this one is for hammer AND impact drills.

 

[Gtinnel]

I drilled my rock dry and it didn’t break any pieces. It drilled shockingly easy with a masonry bit.

 

[ReeferLou]

Here is the one I use. Yours looks pretty close. It should be good if you not using the impact drill.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

+1 on the masonry roto hammer drill bits.
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Gluing
Stacking on rods.
Large industrial zip ties.
Drill holes and zip tie them in place if need be. U can cut the zips and hide them with rock...
I like to tape out the tank dimensions on the garage floor and work their.
D

 

[vtecintegra]

Just drill it, You aren't going to saturate maco rock with water. Those bits drill solid concrete, marco is no problem. Hammer setting does help.

 

[Islandvib3s]

It works,but it also breaks apart while drilling sometimes. Good luck

 

[Flameback Pair]

Glueing is a less invasive option.

@blaxsun the reason I'm not gluing it all together is I need to take it apart to add coral/rearrange rock.