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View Full Version : How to plug a bulkhead bottom of tank? Good ghost overflow box?


Oceanavekid
09/09/2017, 04:11 PM
What's the best way to plug the bulkhead on the bottom of a tank? Decided I'm going to go with a ghost overflow and won't need the hole in the bottom

Can I just buy a cap at the hardware store?

I was going to go with a normal overflow box but decided on the ghost

Any box you'd recommend?

fcmatt
09/09/2017, 06:39 PM
If it was me I would use the right thickness of glass and silicone. Perhaps do both sides if possible?

Oceanavekid
09/09/2017, 06:44 PM
If it was me I would use the right thickness of glass and silicone. Perhaps do both sides if possible?


You mean take out the bulk head and put glass on both sides?

No way to just buy a plug and plug the hole?

Looking at a synergyreef overflow box so won't need the hole on the bottom of the tank

fcmatt
09/09/2017, 07:05 PM
You mean take out the bulk head and put glass on both sides?

No way to just buy a plug and plug the hole?

Looking at a synergyreef overflow box so won't need the hole on the bottom of the tank

Well if you do use a cap that slips or screws on with pvc cement that seems ok. But to trust something threaded long term gives me the willies without something to perm bond it together.

I am using the synergy reef 16 inch overflow. Previous gen model. Love it.

fifthtoe
09/09/2017, 07:19 PM
I recently pulled out my overflow and replaced it with a synergy reef overflow. My old overflow was basically constructed of glass that was skinned with acrylic. I used a piece of the glass and siliconed it over the holes on the bottom of the tank.

Maybe it wasn't needed, but as fcmatt stated, I was worried about the bulkhead plug eventually leaking over time.

Oceanavekid
09/09/2017, 07:51 PM
I recently pulled out my overflow and replaced it with a synergy reef overflow. My old overflow was basically constructed of glass that was skinned with acrylic. I used a piece of the glass and siliconed it over the holes on the bottom of the tank.

Maybe it wasn't needed, but as fcmatt stated, I was worried about the bulkhead plug eventually leaking over time.


Might have to do that. The synergy overflow looks pretty sweet

Did you just get a piece of glass from the hardware store? How's it holding?

Oceanavekid
09/09/2017, 07:56 PM
How thick did you go? Think the bulkhead is 1"
How thick on the glass should I go?

fcmatt
09/09/2017, 08:36 PM
How thick did you go? Think the bulkhead is 1"
How thick on the glass should I go?

1/4" minimum. That is the thickness we normally use in sumps.

ca1ore
09/09/2017, 09:06 PM
Use a glass patch of the same thickness as the tank bottom; let the silicone cure for a full week.

ReefCowboy
09/09/2017, 10:22 PM
I did just that when I decided to go with an overflow box. Tapped it with a glass piece and silicone. Synergy Reef makes top class overflow boxes. Drilling the tank(non tampered) is a breeze and can be done without sweat

Oceanavekid
09/09/2017, 11:46 PM
I did just that when I decided to go with an overflow box. Tapped it with a glass piece and silicone. Synergy Reef makes top class overflow boxes. Drilling the tank(non tampered) is a breeze and can be done without sweat

Already contacted the manufacturer and none are tempered. I'm looking at getting the 16 inch overflow box from synergy

Anyone know a good place to get 3/8 glass? That's what my tank is made of. Definitely thinking about getting piece of glass and using silicone to get it back together. I'd rather have two holes drilled in the back of the tank as opposed to one in the back and other on the bottom

mcgyvr
09/10/2017, 06:24 AM
You can just cap/plug it up too and leave the bulkhead..

billdogg
09/10/2017, 07:53 AM
Any local glass shop will have the thickness you are looking for, and probably in their scrap bin, so cost will be minimal.

fcmatt
09/10/2017, 08:49 AM
I agree. Any glass shop can do it for less then 10 bucks easy. Have them grind the sides for safe handling. Get some home depot aquarium silicone. Don't risk any brand not labeled for fish. Another 5 bucks.

Oceanavekid
09/10/2017, 09:28 AM
I'll check out a shop or two tomorrow and see what I can find


Did you silicone the sides of glass before putting it in?

ReefCowboy
09/10/2017, 09:50 AM
I hear you with ditching the center overflow. It kills the look and aquascaping around it is a royal PITA IMO.
The synergy overflow is very sleek and you will love having switched.
I have the 20" box in a 150 gal, although the 16" is more than plenty. I would look into the new model, the shadow.

http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh583/Carlosjayme1/20170207_141418_zpsugvjsrdh.jpg (http://s1253.photobucket.com/user/Carlosjayme1/media/20170207_141418_zpsugvjsrdh.jpg.html)

fcmatt
09/10/2017, 10:13 AM
I'll check out a shop or two tomorrow and see what I can find


Did you silicone the sides of glass before putting it in?

Just get the right piece sized glass, clean the tank, clean the glass, alcohol would work to clean, let dry, and put a large generous ring of silicone around the hole in tank in the inside of tank. Put the piece of glass on top and smush down. Don't use too much force but silicone should creep out into the hole and some sides of glass. You want some silicone to actually bind the pieces together. Not a tiny thin film. Then If you can silicone the sides and spread with finger. Do the same for bottom. Let dry for days.

Oceanavekid
09/10/2017, 05:08 PM
Just get the right piece sized glass, clean the tank, clean the glass, alcohol would work to clean, let dry, and put a large generous ring of silicone around the hole in tank in the inside of tank. Put the piece of glass on top and smush down. Don't use too much force but silicone should creep out into the hole and some sides of glass. You want some silicone to actually bind the pieces together. Not a tiny thin film. Then If you can silicone the sides and spread with finger. Do the same for bottom. Let dry for days.



That's what I'll do

Oceanavekid
09/10/2017, 05:09 PM
I hear you with ditching the center overflow. It kills the look and aquascaping around it is a royal PITA IMO.
The synergy overflow is very sleek and you will love having switched.
I have the 20" box in a 150 gal, although the 16" is more than plenty. I would look into the new model, the shadow.

http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh583/Carlosjayme1/20170207_141418_zpsugvjsrdh.jpg (http://s1253.photobucket.com/user/Carlosjayme1/media/20170207_141418_zpsugvjsrdh.jpg.html)

I plan on buying whatever the newest 16" is

Looks good on your tank. Definitely want one for my tank

fifthtoe
09/11/2017, 09:34 AM
Might have to do that. The synergy overflow looks pretty sweet

Did you just get a piece of glass from the hardware store? How's it holding?

So far, it's holding nicely. The glass I used was a left over piece from my old overflow construction. It was the same thickness as the tank, 1/2". It was also a fairly large piece, about 6"x12". It was much bigger than needed, but I didn't feel like trying to cut it.

I used Momentive RTV 108 silicone, which is an industrial strength silicone. With any silicone, be sure to check the manufacture or expiration date to see if the silicone is still good. I learned the hard way when the silicone never cured. I checked the date of mfr, and it was made over 3 years ago. That stuff is not easy to completely clean off, either.

Glass from the hardware store is usually going to be too thin so I would avoid using it.

d0ughb0y
09/11/2017, 09:40 AM
slightly off topic question.

I can see the ghost overflow looks nice, but how do you do the return? over the top return?

fifthtoe
09/11/2017, 09:54 AM
slightly off topic question.

I can see the ghost overflow looks nice, but how do you do the return? over the top return?

Over the top is an option. For a cleaner look, I chose to drill another hole in the back of the aquarium for the return and inserted a bulkhead. I have Lockline plumbed in the bulkhead so I can angle the return up and then back down just slightly below the water line in order to minimize back siphoning.

d0ughb0y
09/11/2017, 10:06 AM
ok, that makes sense, since you need to drill the holes for the overflow anyway.

Oceanavekid
09/11/2017, 03:26 PM
Over the top is an option. For a cleaner look, I chose to drill another hole in the back of the aquarium for the return and inserted a bulkhead. I have Lockline plumbed in the bulkhead so I can angle the return up and then back down just slightly below the water line in order to minimize back siphoning.



I have a return on the top already. Has a piece of loc line coming out to put the flow where I want it.

Called 6+ Glass shopes and none would drill the piece for me. They acted like it wasn't even worth their time. I forgot I have to drill the hole for the new overflow. I can probably use those pieces to plug the hole.

Oceanavekid
09/11/2017, 03:35 PM
Anyone know what size holes you cut out for the synergy overflow? Probably use that piece of glass to plug the hole if it's the same size.

Will the 16" work with 3/8 glass?

fifthtoe
09/11/2017, 08:08 PM
I have a return on the top already. Has a piece of loc line coming out to put the flow where I want it.

Called 6+ Glass shopes and none would drill the piece for me. They acted like it wasn't even worth their time. I forgot I have to drill the hole for the new overflow. I can probably use those pieces to plug the hole.

You don't necessarily need small circular piece to cover the existing hole. Just a plate (ex 4x4, 6x6, etc) would be sufficient. Any shop should be able to provide a scrap piece of glass in the thickness you require.

fifthtoe
09/11/2017, 08:10 PM
Anyone know what size holes you cut out for the synergy overflow? Probably use that piece of glass to plug the hole if it's the same size.

Will the 16" work with 3/8 glass?

This might answer some of your questions:

http://synergyreef.com/Manuals/16ShadowOverflowInstall.pdf

kptompk
09/11/2017, 08:33 PM
If it was me I would use the right thickness of glass and silicone. Perhaps do both sides if possible?Thats what I did. It worked great.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

kptompk
09/11/2017, 08:34 PM
You mean take out the bulk head and put glass on both sides?

No way to just buy a plug and plug the hole?

Looking at a synergyreef overflow box so won't need the hole on the bottom of the tankNo just on the inside

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

kptompk
09/11/2017, 08:35 PM
Might have to do that. The synergy overflow looks pretty sweet

Did you just get a piece of glass from the hardware store? How's it holding?I went to a glass man and got a thick piece. Probably over kill but I feel better.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

kptompk
09/11/2017, 08:36 PM
1/4" minimum. That is the thickness we normally use in sumps.I did 3/8"

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

Oceanavekid
09/13/2017, 10:00 PM
Got the glass. My uncle cut a lip around it so it gets a nice tight seal. Going to put it in tonight and wait a few days for things to fully cure.

ca1ore
09/14/2017, 07:44 AM
Here is a shot of my modular marine overflow dry fitted to the new tank.

Oceanavekid
09/14/2017, 11:10 AM
Here is a shot of my modular marine overflow dry fitted to the new tank.

Sweet overflow box

These slim boxes look really nice 👍🏻

Oceanavekid
09/14/2017, 11:14 AM
Here is a shot of my modular marine overflow dry fitted to the new tank.



How's it stack up against the others out there?

ca1ore
09/14/2017, 12:44 PM
Dunno, never used any of the others ......

Now, if you are asking why I picked the one that I picked it's because they made the longest 'stock' unit I could find. That and MM was more responsive than the others in terms of some of the customizations I wanted. In terms of operations, I doubt there is much difference between the various makers.

Oceanavekid
09/16/2017, 01:49 PM
All good so far ����

Going to leave it about half way filled a few days and see if there's any problems. So far it looks to be holding nicely

Oceanavekid
09/16/2017, 01:50 PM
All good so far 👍🏻

Going to leave it about half way filled a few days and see if there's any problems. So far it's holding nicely

Oceanavekid
09/16/2017, 01:51 PM
All good so far :thumbsup:

Going to leave it about half way filled for a few days and see if there's any problems. So far it's holding nicely

Oceanavekid
09/19/2017, 06:39 AM
Just order my syngery overflow. Tank should be back up and running in the next week:thumbsup:

Kactai
09/24/2017, 06:52 PM
I'm following this thread. I'm considering doing something similar to my 180g with corner overflows, except I want to install the overflow box on the end of the tank as the 180 will be a peninsula splitting my living room and bedroom...