drilling acylic.

[jsvokowest]

well the nitrate thing and the futile search for a skimmer to fit in a 90 gal tenecor simplicity plus has left me to purchase a etss protean 400 refugium/skimmer. now i spend some countless nights contemplating the best way to install the bulkheads in the tank. i need to drill at least one hole for the intake to the sump on the bottom of the tank in the current overflow box. which can be drained without emptying the tank. (thank god for that) so what is the best drill bit to be using. coarse or fine. was told to use the type you intall doorknobs with. but am wondering if the fine would generate to much heat or would the coarse risk cracking.they will be 1" bulkheads. also since the are will be dry i want to seal off the overflow on one side to cut out the centerpiece of the large sump are in the tank. don;t see the point of wasting a 4 " by 20 " space in the tank. so i guess the last two questions is how to adhere a 4 in by 23 tall piece of acrylic to be watertight. and the cleanest way to cut out the center. the idea is to have the overflow inlet on one side and the return hidden on the other with a trench in the middle. at least this is what i was told was the proper way to do it by etss, any one with experience i would appreciate the advice yet again

 

[jsvokowest]

i attached this photo of the back of the tanks for assitance. Thanks guys

 

[KathyC]

Why not just use a skimmer that can be run outside of a sump and let it drain from that rear chamber and return into the sump?

 

[jsvokowest]

i was looking at that option as well but the idea is to create a refufium to control a nitrate issue. was on site with bob fenner and he recommended this setup or an aquac. but i have had to learn to do it once and for all/ the issue with the tank is half the water goes from the oversflow right into the media and the other half goes into the cheesy skimmer they have rated for the tank. please don;t tell me that after a 600 investment i was wrong

 

[Kaz289]

I used a regular door knob bit and it has decent size teeth on it not too fine. It went through the acrylic with no problem and didnt generate to much heat or dust, 2 seconds and I was through with a perfect round hole. Good luck

 

[jsvokowest]

thanks i am sure it will be stressful for a minute

 

[Imbarrie]

I have read that a forstner bit is good for acrylic.
It shaves the hole instead of grinding it.

Whatever you use go slow when you drill and test on another piece first.