Drilling bottom of full tank

GrandeGixxer · #1 11/21/2007, 04:02 PM

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? I am going to post this in the DIY section also to get some more input.

pk1 · #2 11/21/2007, 04:07 PM

Please video tape this. Don't use an electric drill. And make sure your drunk....

PK

skunkmere · #3 11/21/2007, 04:09 PM

use a "LAZER".

444reefkeeper · #4 11/21/2007, 04:11 PM

1.Getting the cups to seal maybe hard.
2.Gots to clean the surface before dropping the bulkhead in.
3.Probably be easier/faster/safer to break the tank down and then drill. Its only a 40 so it should be easy.

PSam · #5 11/21/2007, 04:11 PM

video tape, please. that's youtube gold

. good luck if you go for it... i sure wouldn't.

GrandeGixxer · #6 11/21/2007, 04:23 PM

Anyone got a 50g stock tank I could use during the process?

444reefkeeper · #7 11/21/2007, 04:28 PM

Got a hundred gallon tub that'll be freed up in 2 weeks? Don't know if that'll help..

VSpeck · #8 11/21/2007, 04:31 PM

i would really like to see this done so make sure you tape it

aiko670 · #9 11/21/2007, 04:40 PM

Yes, please tape!

pescadero · #10 11/21/2007, 04:46 PM

scares me.

fishkeeeper · #11 11/21/2007, 04:46 PM

make sure you have a wet vac handy and your swimsuit on

pescadero · #12 11/21/2007, 04:48 PM

don't forget to test your GFCI before you do that. you might end up standing in a pool of conductive water. it might also be a good idea to have paramedics standing by in case you get 'lectrocuted.

hansnfrans · #13 11/21/2007, 04:59 PM

This sounds like a job for Johnny Knoxville and Steve-O

jjjimmy · #14 11/21/2007, 05:05 PM

Once again, video tape this and then send it in to the Darwin Awards for consideration.

aiko670 · #15 11/21/2007, 05:17 PM

I believe in order to be considered for a Darwin Award he'd need to remove him self from the gene pool. I think that might be a little drastic.

America's Funniest Home Video on the other hand....

GrandeGixxer · #16 11/21/2007, 05:29 PM

I have already "mated." I am not going to do it this way even though I think it could be done. I would be more willing to do it on someone else's tank. :LOL: I will drain it and do it the right way when I get the money for the 4 way.

fast57 · #17 11/21/2007, 06:02 PM

if you could pull it off without hospitalizing yourself ill give you my sunset monti!

444reefkeeper · #18 11/21/2007, 06:07 PM

I'll try it for a sunset.

gnarlyswine · #19 11/21/2007, 06:11 PM

Oh dear.

when the drill pushes the glass plug up into the tank , then what do you do.

instead why not drill on the side or back of the tank , lower the water level enough that its below where you are drilling - make certain you keep the drilling area wet. Its a better bet than doing the bottom. Or like they said if its only a 40 just empty it - or buyt and drill another tank.

Or ask someone to post the posthumous results on youtube for us.

yankeereefer · #20 11/21/2007, 07:12 PM

Nix the tape - He needs to have us all over to his place to watch.

Well maybe we could tape it for youtube to relive over and over and over.......

T Man · #21 11/21/2007, 07:27 PM

PPffffffffft........only a sailor could dream this up

. Whup it on! Be safe and have a burst proceedure in action and my money'd be on no burst! Good Luck! TinMan

GrandeGixxer · #22 11/21/2007, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gnarlyswine
Oh dear.

when the drill pushes the glass plug up into the tank , then what do you do.

instead why not drill on the side or back of the tank , lower the water level enough that its below where you are drilling - make certain you keep the drilling area wet. Its a better bet than doing the bottom. Or like they said if its only a 40 just empty it - or buyt and drill another tank.

Or ask someone to post the posthumous results on youtube for us.

Take a look at my build thread and you will see why I Cant do any more holes in the side. Click on the red house.