hydroponic tray question..

[Martin H. Lawton]

I am about to drill one and I do not want to crack the plastic. so my question is what type of drill bit to use.

 

[Martin H. Lawton]

bump?..

 

[swayd]

I used a step drill bit for my hydroponic tray I use for a frag tank, the same type you would use to drill acrylic. Just make sure you have a rubber gasket as I had problems with mine leaking a bit since I didn't use any type of gasket for a while. Other than that it was a cheap and nice frag tank while I had it.

 

[swayd]

Slow and steady is also key to a clean hole. Don't push through let the drill do the work.

 

[Martin H. Lawton]

Thank you for a answer .. i was about to use a regular hole drill XD..

 

[redfishbluefish]

I'm assuming this tray is made of plastic.....back it with piece of scrap wood and use a regular old hole saw. And as suggested, let the bit do the drilling.

 

[BoneXriffic]

Agreed. Have someone hold, or clamp a solid piece of wood to back side. A fine tooth bot will cut it in seconds

 

[zemuss]

Wondering what a Hydroponic tray is.

 

[BoneXriffic]

Google it. Its a tray used for just that. Growing plants. Holds water and is cheap. Great for non display growout/frag tanks

 

[Martin H. Lawton]

This is what the tray is.

http://www.botanicare.com/20-Gallon-Botanicare-Premium-Reservoir-P212C7.aspx

 

[zemuss]

You are using this as a frag tank? That is pretty cool.

 

[Martin H. Lawton]

thought so myself

 

[zemuss]

Following this but it also re-sparked my love for hydroponic growing of plants. Hoping to start some of this in the summer.

 

[Martin H. Lawton]

I don't know if I am starting a blog .. maybe in the future! right now im just seeing how I want to drill it. Some people are saying to use a stepper and others are saying just a regular hole saw..

 

[redfishbluefish]

I'm not overly familiar with steppers, short of using them on sheetmetal (cars). If your plastic is too thick, I could see the next "stepper" starting to drill before the right bit size is done drilling. I have to think the common hole saw is the way to go. That's what I use to use when putting in in-ground pools with thick plastic walls.

 

[Waterjockey]

I would just go nice and easy with a regular hole saw (bi metal if you have one, else just wood saw will do) and a firm backing (piece of wood as others have stated).
"Speeds and feeds" are the key.

Cheers!

 

[Martin H. Lawton]

Ill try this tomorrow thanks guys!

 

[peterj66]

I don't know if I am starting a blog .. maybe in the future! right now im just seeing how I want to drill it. Some people are saying to use a stepper and others are saying just a regular hole saw..

I drilled a 4 mm acrylic sheet today using a hole drill like the one mentioned above. No problem at all, just clean the edges with sandpaper afterwards.

 

[Martin H. Lawton]

I just drilled it ! I'll post pictures after I build the stand which will be here in a hour

 

[redfishbluefish]

I just drilled it ! I'll post pictures after I build the stand which will be here in a hour

Well are you going to keep us in suspense? What bit did you use....stepper or hole?