Drilling the bottom of a full tank

[GrandeGixxer]

Ok, I am pretty sure that I want to change my closed loop to have 4 outlets on the bottom. I am not going to do this right away because I need to come up with the money for a 4 way first. So, here is the idea.

1. Get a glass cup and put a bead of weatherstripping around the rim.

2. Clear the sand out from area to be drilled.

3. Set the bulkhead on top of where the hole will be.

4. Set the cup over the bulkhead and have an extra hand to press it to get a good seal.

5. From the bottom, drill the hole.

6. Bulkhead falls down through the hole, thread the nut on it.

7. plumb everything in. It would be much easier and faster of this assembly was all built and connected so that once all 4 bulkheads are in, it is plug and play. Maybe Spa Flex to allow a little bit of error?

8. Thank your lucky stars for not cracking the tank.

I don't know, how much pressure it would take during the process to break the glass, but that would really be the only fear. I definatly don't have the nerve to try it yet. What do you all think?

[grallster]

I think you're nuts...don't try it.

[H20ENG]

Personally, I wouldnt try it, but theres a good writeup by Zephrant where he made a dam and drilled for a bulkhead. It'll take a good search to find it. It was several years ago.

[shyland83]

i'm going to second that, your crazy. if you do it, take pics. If you pull it off i will get on a plane and fly to illinois so i can shake your hand.

[oct2274]

don't think there is a chance in h e double hockey sticks, but if you do try it and pull it off you better have a video of it cause no one is going to believe it

[GrandeGixxer]

I know I could pull it off once, but 4 times I think would be pushing it. I would love to try it on a different tank, but if I broke my tank, I would pretty much be screwed.

[grallster]

Plus, you'd better be damn sure the bottom of your tank isn't tempered--the whole tank contents could come crashing down on your head!

[stugray]

I can guarantee that it is possible but the risk is unacceptable.

As grallster mentioned screwing up could prove fatal. You dont say how big the tank is... your 40s would be easy enough to break down and do correctly.

Stu

[GrandeGixxer]

You are right Stu, the risk is not something I want to take. It is a 40 breeder and I know the bottom is not tempered. When I get the money for the 4 way, I will break it down and do it right. I would be much more willing to try this on someone elses tank though. :LOL:

[RONCGIZMO]

Well you are nuts!!! but if you are going to try..god speed.

also try using a 4" or 6" cut of PVC seal it and pump the water out with a power head then drill. once you pump the water out of the PVC it will let you know if the seals ok..I would also have someone on top holding the PVC down..and drop the BH down with a hanger or fishing line etc.

Good luck!

[H20ENG]

Here you go

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=361799

[jman77]

Just please do something for me first...setup a camera and film it .... i want to see this on youtube ! Good Luck !

[noobwithatank]

just buy another 40 breeder.. they are like 100 bucks..

[t-bone2]

danger will roberson danger doable but nerve racking good luck

[Kev135]

I would pay to watch this!!! LOL

[marspeed]

i would do it

[gadgetboy]

I saw the title and thought, "retard!". Haha, JK. But seriously, don't do it. You could honestly kill yourself.

Oh, and noobwithatank, I'm sure you haven't thought about the about of $$$ in livestock?

[pescadero]

funny ... my two posts have disappeared.

[57Repsac]

I would not even want to atemp to drill the bottom of a tank with it being full. Its a very bad Idea

[GrandeGixxer]

H2OENG, replacing a bulkhead underwarer would be easy compared to this. I would leave the water in though to cool the glass. I am not going to do it. If something were to go wrong, I would be screwed because I don't have another tank. I will wait until I can afford the 4-way and then do it the right way. It shouldn't be too long of a process if I have everything assembeled before hand though. Probably around 2 hours for the complete job.

[woodwonders]

I just drilled the back of my 80 euro tank last sunday (empty of coarse). I was sure that is wasn't tempered. The manufacturer (perfecto) was also sure (emailed their tech. dept.).

Guess what? We were both wrong. I now have a 3 sided tank and thousands of tiny glass shards in the living room.

You're making the right decision to wait and do it empty. I hope it goes better than mine did. On the plus side, I'm shopping for a 210g.

[GrandeGixxer]

I know it isn't tempered. It already looks like swiss cheese. I just think that it needs 4 more holes. :P

[jnarowe]

You guys are funny...so check this out:

I am so annoyed with my acrylic tank, I have been thinking about installing low-iron glass over the entire viewing pane, and then cutting out the acrylic.

I have 6" on either end as well as 3" top and bottom that are hidden behind the wall, so this would give me enough sruface to bond the glass to. Then I would use a pnuematic saw to cut out the acrylic leaving a nice Starfire viewing pane.

[GrandeGixxer]

Originally posted by jnarowe
You guys are funny...so check this out:

I am so annoyed with my acrylic tank, I have been thinking about installing low-iron glass over the entire viewing pane, and then cutting out the acrylic.

I have 6" on either end as well as 3" top and bottom that are hidden behind the wall, so this would give me enough sruface to bond the glass to. Then I would use a pnuematic saw to cut out the acrylic leaving a nice Starfire viewing pane.

Is this a joke? That is way crazier than what I proposed.

[jnarowe]

Not a joke. Although ALL of my reefing buddies think I am out of my mind. I am sure that it can be accomplished, but not sure on all the details.