installing my apec ro system, what's the deal with the drain saddle? do i have to drill a hole in my pipe?

No, you don't drill into the pipe itself. The drain saddle clamps around your sink's existing drain pipe (usually the vertical tailpiece) and has a self-piercing needle valve.

Fix:

1. Locate a smooth, straight section on your sink's drain pipe, below the flood level of the sink bowl.
2. Place the rubber gasket from the kit on the pipe, then position the saddle clamp over it.
3. Tighten the clamp screws evenly until they are snug. Do not overtighten.
4. As you tighten, the needle valve inside will pierce the drain pipe to create the connection for the 1/4" waste water tube.

If that didn't work: If you're uncomfortable with the saddle, you can alternatively drill a 1/4" hole directly into a horizontal section of the drain pipe and use a push-in fitting with a seal. The saddle is the standard, no-drill method provided.

Heads up: The waste water line must have a downward slope from the RO system to the drain to prevent backflow.