Bulkhead Holes

[dcall]

I am designing a 96'x24'x12' tank out of 1/2' glass. The question I have is how many 1' bulkheads can I drill into the ends of the tank 24'x12'? I would like to put 6 of them If I could

[MayorOfWhoVille]

6 is kind of a lot, but IMO it depends on how you space them. That glass is pretty thick, so it should be okay as long as they are spaced out. I have four 1" holes across the top portion of the back of my 30 gal cube (around 19"x19"x19"). Of course I was just reading a thread about a 30 cube with two 1" holes very far apart and that one developed a crack between the two holes and is currently leaking. I'm more than a little freaked out by that. I guess I vote 6, but it isn't in MY house!

[james3370]

my oceanic 50 back wall is 30x18 & 3/8" thick glass.

i put (3) 1.5" & (6) 3/4"....that's (1) 1.5" for the sump overflow, (2) 3/4" sump returns, (2) 1.5" for closed loop overflow & (4) 3/4" for closed loop returns

the only problem i had was caused by impatience....i put too much downward pressure on the bit & chipped quite a few of the holes :(

once i made spacers/gaskets to cover the chipped edges, it water-tested just fine :D

[billdogg]

WOW - with dimensions of 96 feet x 24 feet x 12 feet, you can drill pretty much as many as you want!!! and 1/2 foot thick glass - man is that thing gonna be heavy!!! lol

oh..........you meant inches................

in that case - are all these for inputs? 1" will not be big enough for drains - I would go with 2" drains - at least 2 for returns from the sump - planning on closed loop? 6 will easily fit in that area. I tend to use larger than I think I'll ever need - you can always reduce them. especially in such a long tank - more flow will be a good thing!

[dcall]

Would it be better if I went with 3/4 inch glass for the ends?

[dcall]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14291841#post14291841 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by billdogg
in that case - are all these for inputs? 1" will not be big enough for drains - I would go with 2" drains - at least 2 for returns from the sump - planning on closed loop? 6 will easily fit in that area. I tend to use larger than I think I'll ever need - you can always reduce them. especially in such a long tank - more flow will be a good thing!

All of these 3/4" holes will be drains.The returns will be on the other end of the tank. 5 for closed loop and 1 for sump.

[billdogg]

you will get MUCH more flow out of 1 or 2 2" drains than a bunch of little drains. Why would you want that many little drains anyway? 1 2" drain will handle about 2500gph. a 3/4" drain will handle maybe 200gph, so even if you have 6, you will still be draining at most 1200gph. 2 x 2" drains gives you more capacity than you should ever need, with room for error (blockages DO happen!)

[billdogg]

Talk to the folks at www.glass-holes.com - they will back up what i am suggesting, and have all the supplies you will need to make it work. (and at very good prices)