IS it possible to drill your tank with water in it?

[kstater]

I was wondering if you can lower the level of water in your tank and then drill the upper regions of your tank and then go from there.

 

[saltysteve]

I wouldnt

 

[phixer]

I wouldnt either, what if it breaks. Sure its possible but a big risk.

 

[mcsd22]

I would only try that trick once you can pull a rabbit from your hat. Dangerous! and foolish to try it.

 

[kstater]

thanks for the feedback

 

[oceana]

Originally Posted by Kstater
thanks for the feedback

think of it like this. that would be like drilling a glass pane while letting your budy push will all his weight on the other side while you do it. not something you would let happen i'm sure. except in this case i would bet the water weights more! so as said above NOT a great idea

 

[acrylic51]

Yes it can be drilled when full, but will definitely have to drain down below the drilling point.....It was done by someone on another site, and I have drilled a clients tank while in place as well.

 

[jester805]

Originally Posted by Kstater
I was wondering if you can lower the level of water in your tank and then drill the upper regions of your tank and then go from there.
Good question. I've always wondered that too.

 

[namas05]

if it work try drilling the bottom with water in the tank.
See if you can get that to work too. :hilarious

:hilarious

 

[marcus71]

acrylic 51 how did you keep the diamond bit lubricated??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? :notsure:

 

[acrylic51]

I use a Rotozip with diamond bits you can pick up from Harbor Freight......Depending where I'm at either back in the shop I will use the reject water from the RO/DI unit to keep the glass and bit cool, but when I've done the 3 on tanks that were set and running I used a spray bottle like mad....If you use a Rotozip I suggest getting the gizmo, can't remember the correct name, but anyways to slow down the Rotozip just a tad.....It's alot faster than the dremel......
It's great to see usefull help with some posts here

 

[jessecnc]

What about the glass dust and possible diamond/coating dust introduced in the tank? For a fish it's gotta be like walking down the sidewalk in NY through construction.LOL

 

[squidd]

This was for a ATO valve, but after the small hole was made, it "could have" been opener up with a Dremel and diamond rasp bit...
Tape catchs most of the dust (make little tape shelf inside to catch more..)

 

[turningtim]

The extreme tile bits that rotozip makes cuts much cleaner/faster than the HF diamond bits. I agree that a rotozip is a much better fitted tool for the job....
Tim