Drilling a Collection Cup

pledosophy

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Is there any tricks I should know about drilling a round collection cup?

I have to drill from the side (round part) because of how the collection cup sits.

Also, what is the best way to add a drain at that point? Should I just use a uniseal?

Is there an easier way to do what I am wanting to do here? Basically I am wanting to put a drain on a Reef Octopus 110-S. That way I can use the skimmer with a neck cleaner and a skimmate locker. I will have to travel for a few weeks at a time in 2021 and want the skimmer part of my tank as automated as possible.

I appreciate your help!
 

alysak6075

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I did this. Dont use a drill bit! You will crack the acrylic. Instead get a Dremel grinding bit and "grind" out a hole to the size you want. I then epoxied a john guest push fitting so that i could add a valve and a barbed fitting on t he other end of the valve to add a vinyl hose into the sewer line. Only i did it on the bottom of the cup, same principle applies to the side of the cup. Dont push too hard on the dremmel bit, let it do the work.
 
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pledosophy

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I did this. Dont use a drill bit! You will crack the acrylic. Instead get a Dremel grinding bit and "grind" out a hole to the size you want. I then epoxied a john guest push fitting so that i could add a valve and a barbed fitting on t he other end of the valve to add a vinyl hose into the sewer line. Only i did it on the bottom of the cup, same principle applies to the side of the cup. Dont push too hard on the dremmel bit, let it do the work.
I am surprised the John Guest fitting does not clog at all.


Becareful having the drain empty directly into the sewer if you also have a large ATO resivoir. My buddy lost an amazing 450g that way. His skimmer freaked out, overflowed basically and dumped a 100g fresh water into his display.
 

alysak6075

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I add freshwater manually. Thanks for the advice! I run my skimmer wet so the john guest doesnt clog.
 

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