Drilling Tank

[brian313313]

Hello. I would like to drill a hole in the side of my sump (glass) for an emergency overflow to outside. It would be a major project to get the sump out so I’d like to drill it in-place. That will prevent me from running water over the top while drilling or any of the tricks I know to keep it wet while drilling. The plan is that I’d drain the sump first, then use a spray bottle and drill very slowly. Even if it took 1/2 hr to get through, it’s much less work than taking my entire setup apart.

Has anyone tried this before? Know of anything I should watch out for? Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[Catskiller]

Make a template out of plywood to keep the bit from walking. Spring clamp it in place and drill with a small stream of water fed by gravity Just poke a small hole in bottom of a plastic bottle and remove the top to start the water. This will allow you to hold the drill square with both hands and apply steady light pressure. Although I did mine out of the cabinet, all else applies and works well.

 

[Joe31415]

A spray bottle isn't going to work unless someone else is doing it. It needs to be continuously washing away the glass dust. If you're drilling from the inside, I'd think you could just stick a cheap (slow) disposable pump in there with a hose running to the bit.
Since I assume you're drilling from the outside, I think your best bet is going to be either to find the cheapest slowest pump you can get a hold of and use that to pump water from a bucket, past the area your drilling and let it run down the side of the tank where you'll have some towels absorbing as much as possible (remember, there's going to be glass dust in the towels). You could also get an adapter so you can run a tube from a hose spigot or faucet and you'll have the ability to turn it way down and not make as big of a mess.

If you're going the spray bottle route, I'd strongly suggest you have someone else on spray duty.

Also, I just glanced at your OP...I understand the concept of what you're doing but you're kinda reinventing the wheel. Making sure your sump won't or can't overflow isn't anything new. You help to make sure it won't by keep your return outlet close to the surface (or putting a small hole in it above the surface) so the siphon breaks sooner rather than later. You can also use backflow preventors, but a lot of people don't like them.
Similarly, you can make sure it can't overflow by making sure there's enough space in the sump for the water in the tank to fully drain (until the siphon breaks) as well as anything else that may dump water into it (ie skimmer shutting down etc). You can test this by shutting off the return and seeing what happens.

Also, your ATO may be automatic, but the ATO reservoir shouldn't be. You should always make sure there's nothing connecting your tank to an unlimited source of water.

 

[brian313313]

Thanks. I have some more things to think about, but it still seems doable. I did plan on having my wife operate the spray bottle so I can keep two hands on the drill. We drilled one before where she did that, but I was drilling from the top down. I planned for this to be a water change overflow in addition to an emergency overflow. It would be used for the water change and hopefully never be used as an emergency overflow. LOL.

 

[HuduVudu]

Hello. I would like to drill a hole in the side of my sump (glass) for an emergency overflow to outside. It would be a major project to get the sump out so I’d like to drill it in-place. That will prevent me from running water over the top while drilling or any of the tricks I know to keep it wet while drilling. The plan is that I’d drain the sump first, then use a spray bottle and drill very slowly. Even if it took 1/2 hr to get through, it’s much less work than taking my entire setup apart.

Has anyone tried this before? Know of anything I should watch out for? Any suggestions?

Thanks.

The water is to cool the bit.

You don't necessarily need to do this with water running over the bit. I used a bowl of water and ran the bit for a little bit then put the bit in the water to cool it. Once the bit was cool to the touch I started drilling again. This method takes time because you don't want to overheat the bit and it does get hot quickly, but it will work.

Food for thought.

 

[Dakota_reef]

The water is to cool the bit.

You don't necessarily need to do this with water running over the bit. I used a bowl of water and ran the bit for a little bit then put the bit in the water to cool it. Once the bit was cool to the touch I started drilling again. This method takes time because you don't want to overheat the bit and it does get hot quickly, but it will work.

Food for thought.

This. Having just drilled my tank, I've done it solo with a spray bottle (pressurized). Just drill for 8 seconds, rinse with water, drill for 8 seconds, repeat. I spray the bit and the hole to rinse out the glass dust. I'd recommend having someone with the water and a bowl as it's faster. Heck, I even messed up trying to expand a hole, and had to drill it out even bigger and it worked just fine. LIGHT pressure is key, especially when you approach the breakthrough point.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Here's what came to my mind, and have idea if it would work.....make a trough out of a plastic container and silicone it to the side of the tank. Fill with water and drill away. Here's a mock-up I made using a sour cream container to give you the idea of what I'm talking about.

Have plenty of towels below and a bottle of water to continue to add to the trough.

And of course use my favorite silicone for attaching plastics...

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

The water is used to cool the bit because as soon as it overheats, it will pack with fines and become much much less effective.

IMHO, Even if it's a big pain to get the sump out, remove it and drill it with water flow.

It's not unheard of to crack a piece of glass while drilling. It would be even worse if you cracked the end of your half full sump and have to pull everything out and get something put in quickly.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Additional thought to above idea with blending it to @Catskiller suggestion of making a template. Make the template and now silicone this trough to the template. Use plumber's putty between the tank and the template to form a water tight seal and now fill with water and go to town! Wait while I pat myself on my back and @Catskiller 's back as well.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Here's what came to my mind, and have idea if it would work.....make a trough out of a plastic container and silicone it to the side of the tank. Fill with water and drill away. Here's a mock-up I made using a sour cream container to give you the idea of what I'm talking about.

Have plenty of towels below and a bottle of water to continue to add to the trough.

And of course use my favorite silicone for attaching plastics...

This is a great option is you do choose that you have to do it in place. It'll be messy but will work

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Before drilling, drill the bit into a sponge so it sits inside the bit, soak with water and proceed, if you can also get a drip going above the bit that will help as well.