How to Drill Lava Rock for a Fish Tank

People use lava rock in their fish tank to add color and style and to provide their fish with entertainment. Many fish enjoy swimming through the bridges and openings that you can drill in lava rock and enjoy hiding in the small holes you can create. You don't have to be very handy to drill holes into your lava rock, you just need to take some safety precautions and go slowly.

Things You'll Need

  • Newspaper
  • Safety goggles
  • Air mask
  • Pencil
  • Electric Drill
  • 1- inch drill bit
  • 4 -inch drill bit
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay the newspaper down on your working surface. Clean your lava rock with water if needed. Draw an outline of where you want the holes to go with a pen or pencil. Put on your safety goggles and air mask.

    • 2

      Hold the lava rock down on your working surface. Start the drill and push the 1-inch drill bit slowly into the area you have marked. Drill as deeply as you want the hole to be. This will create a hole for fish to hide in.

    • 3

      Change drill bits and create a tunnel with the 4-inch drill bit. Drill slowly, pushing gently while moving the bit through the rock.

    • 4

      Turn your drill off once you are as deep into the rock as you are going, or once you break through to the other side. Pull the drill bit back carefully through the hole so you don't accidentally enlarge the hole or damage the rock.

    • 5

      Examine the hole you just made to determine if it meets your satisfaction. Make adjustments accordingly. Create more holes, or put the rock back into your tank.