Drilling liverock

[jrgilles]

Hey guys. I want to assemble some taller rock structures in my DT. Was thinking of drilling a hole through a few pieces of rock and inserting a plastic rod through multipe rocks so I can build something taller without having a huge rockpile.

Any advice? I was thinking of getting a two foot drill bit and going right through the rocks, then inserting a long piece of plastic dowel through it all with some glue on the rod to keep it in place.

Assuming the rock is easy to drill through? Was even thinking of doing a couple holes in the tank on the rocks that can't be removed easily. Figuredsd it would be ok.

Anyway, if someone has done this and has some advice, I'm all ears

Rob

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk

 

[jrgilles]

Maybe even use some small diameter pvc pipe? I could prob pick that up at lowes cheap

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk

 

[kevnkev]

I've thought about doing the same thing, so I'd be interested to hear about how your experience goes.

I've never drilled all the way through a rock, just a short way in to place some frag plugs, but I was surprised at how easy it is to drill into with just a standard drill bit. The ease of drilling probably depends a little on the type/porosity of live rock you're drilling through, but most live "rock" is really old dead coral, so not nearly as dense as real rock.

 

[jrgilles]

Went to lowes and got some 1/4" pvc tubing and a 1/4" masonary bit. Going to drill and use a coat hanger to feed the tubing through. Maybe some frag glue on the tubing. I will keep u posted

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk

 

[Krish]

Mojo drilled his rocks! Not sure if he still has pictures of the build as they were old and alot of them are "X" out on his thread, but he drilled them and they came out nice!

 

[mojoreef]

LR drills real easy. I found a flat wood spade bit worked the best just go slow so you don't fracture the rock. I used half inch acrylic dowels for the easy stuff and one inch for the big overhangs. Make the holes snug and then use some big zipties where needed

Mojo


Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

 

[Herefishyfishy]

1/4" Carbide masonary bits to drill with fiberglass rod one can get from Tap, works awesome!

 

[jrgilles]

Are the fiberglass rods from Taps 1/4"? I was reading online to get a slightly bigger bit than the rod, so 3/8" for 1/4" rod. Think that isn't necessary?

Also, how strong are the fiberglass rods? They seem good as they would be easy to feed, but I wouldn't want them snapping if the rockwork was bumped. Currently I have some 1/4" flexible PVC tubing, which I thought would be tough and hard to break due to the fact that it has a bit of give to it.

Also have a 1/4" masonry bit. Was thinking I might have to take it back for a bigger size though. What are your guys thoughts on the bit sizing? 1/4" tube or fiberglass rods seem like a good size to me.

rob

 

[Herefishyfishy]

The rods are AMAZINGLY strong. Bet it would take 100s of lbs of torque or shear to break one. I used same size hole as rod, otherwise when tapped rod in, it often would split the rock. 6 foot rod ofr 5/16" was under $3.00 at Tap plastics

Fiberglass Round Rod: TAP Plastics

http://www.tapplastics.com/info/fiberglassproperties.php

 

[mojoreef]

I never had any luck with the mason bits, the spade went through like butter. On the rods sounds like Mike has a better route to take then mine, the acrylic rods are a bit pricey.

Mojo

 

[Herefishyfishy]

You are correct that the spades cut aragonite MUCH faster but all I had were nice ones that I keep for wood. I was also drilling some solid limestone...QUOTE=mojoreef;632166]I never had any luck with the mason bits, the spade went through like butter. On the rods sounds like Mike has a better route to take then mine, the acrylic rods are a bit pricey.

Mojo[/QUOTE]

 

[jrgilles]

I will look into the spade bits. I glanced briefly at these at Lowe's, but they didn't appear to go to a small enough diameter. I'll look again though.

These the rod's you are talking about? Was there a reason you chose the 5/16th over the 1/4?

Fiberglass Round Rod: TAP Plastics

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Yes, these are the rods. I chose the stronger ones as was stacking bag rock into up to 3' high columns.
Made 5 columns with bridges across thus creating 4 caves.

 

[jrgilles]

Georgous rockwork. Was kind of thinking something along those lines but on a smaller scale. Love all the open sand you got in front.

Sounds like a plan. I will pick some of those up and get a chisel bit, as my rock is pretty porous (I think)

Going to do it sometime over the next month or so. I will set up a thirty or so gallon plastic tub full of salt water and build it in there to help with visualizing it

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk

 

[TJL]

Hey Rob, the masonry bits are designed to work with roto-hammer style drills and make short work of limestone. I have one and used it a little on my 75's aquascape and will go all out on the new build to stabalize the LR as plan on getting a sandsifting goby or two. The 1/4 - 1/2" acrylic rod at Tapp is not very expensive and 72" goes a long ways.

Cheers, Todd