bulkhead vs hole size

[zemuron114]

so i can only get a hole driled in my tank 1.5", 2" or 2.5"

marinedepot recommends a 2 5/8 hole for a 1.5 " double threaded bulkhead. Would i be OK with a 2.5" hole??? would it fit??

thanks!

[d4a2n0k]

It might fit. Different brand bulkheads require different sized holes, even if they are both the same I/D. They are not all exactly the same.

http://www.savko.com/partlist.asp?pgid=2

You can get a Sch 40 bulkhead here that would fit a 2.5" hole. They are not as strong as the schedule 80 but Ive never had any problems with them.

[bhdmc]

If you already have the bulkhead measure the outside diameter with a caliper to see if it will fit thru a 2 1/2 hole.

[zemuron114]

ok I was using marinedepot as a guide for bulkheads. I wanted the double threaded and it needs a 2 5/8 hole.

Im not doing anything fancy, so maybe ill just get the sch. 40.

any other sites that sel bulkheads that will fit those sizes?

thanks again!

dj

[FloridaFishMan]

Just curious what is the difference in the sch.40 and the 80 besides one is heavy duty? Why do you need a heavy duty one?
Chris

[javajaws]

Because the sched 40 ones are pretty easy to break. The sched 80 are nearly indestructible. When using sched 40 be very carefull not to overtighten the threaded connections.

[FloridaFishMan]

I see thanks. What are the ones that are sold at marine depot and dr. fosters.

[javajaws]

They are sched 40 unless they expicitly say sched 80. Savko sells both.

[geo]

Probably the same fitting sold through www.savko.com, I know the sch 40 bulkhead they sell will go into a 2 3/8" diameter hole, so that would work with your 2.5 without issues. I think the sch 80 they sell would go into a 2 1/2" hole. I just put one in using a 2 5/8" hole saw and there was a little play.

[zemuron114]

all im doing is cutting a hole in the upper right corner of each tank to gravity feed water to the sump. Im doing anything super crafty :) There wont be any pressure on it like if it were on the bottom of the tank. Do you think sch. 40 will do for this??

Thanks everyone

[javajaws]

I just measured (with a digital caliper) some 1.5" bulkheads I had laying around (rounded to hundredths of an inch):

sched 40 (2 different styles/brands): 2.34"
sched 80 (from savko I believe): 2.54"


As for your question about pressure, etc...it's not the water pressure that breaks the sched 40...but the torque generated when tightening the fittings together during installation.

[geo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6533594#post6533594 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zemuron114
all im doing is cutting a hole in the upper right corner of each tank to gravity feed water to the sump. Im doing anything super crafty :) There wont be any pressure on it like if it were on the bottom of the tank. Do you think sch. 40 will do for this??

Thanks everyone

You have to be careful threading into the sch 40 fitting, they can split. sch. 80 will not.

[zemuron114]

gotcha

so by your measurements i should be able to use a 1.5" sch. 80 bulkhead in a 2.5" hole..??

Thanks again everyone

[javajaws]

.04" may not sound like alot...but glass doesn't give and that sched 80 plastic is pretty tough. But because I have such a hatred for sched 40 bulkheads here is what I would suggest...go with the sched 80. If they don't fit, take a dremel with a tile cutting bit to the holes and shave off that .04" to make them fit. I've taken a dremel to many a hole on my tank and removed way more than .04"...you won't have a problem (so long as they aren't drilled in tempered glass!).

[geo]

The savko sch 80 will fit inside a 1 5/8" hole saw, but I would not call it a full 1/8". If it goes it will be very snug.

[zemuron114]

ok ill order 2 sch 40 and 2 sch 80 1.5" bulkheads and we'll see what happens :) lol

Thanks everyone.. ill let everyone know how it worked out when i do it..

does anyone have a picture of the dremel i can use? and can i use it on any drill?

thanks again

[javajaws]

You want a tile cutting bit that looks like the one on this page (Tilecut XBIT):

http://www.rotozip.com/Shop/CategorySubBrowse.htm?IID=66587&HID=188064&BID=18

Either the Rotozip or dremel version of this type bit should be ok.

You want to use this in any Dremel type tool...do not use it in a standard drill...not enough RPM and hard to control.

[zemuron114]

how much do rotozip of dremels cost? I have a homedepot, walmart, and sears that will prob sell them... any pictures of them?? Im knew to this hole construction thing.. :)

thanks again everyone

[sandman450f]

You can get one for as little as $30, a set w/ more bits(non diamond) for around $50, and up depending on the product. Def. go w/ the Sched 80, I used the 40 and unknowingly cracked the bulkead on a return that was 2" of the bottom of the tank, It held during the FW test, but to my luck it started leaking a bit after I set it up in the house (w/ all live stock in it), thought maybe it wasnt tight enough, and tightened another 1/8 of a turn, and started leaking like crazy. It was a XXXXX too say the least. Heres a pic of mine (old) and a Diamond bit set that i picked up for abt $10-15 from Harbor Freight toolshttp://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/94549DVC00061.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/94549DVC00068.JPG

[zemuron114]

ill have to go to homedepot and see what they suggest. Even though i'd take peoples advice here over what they say. lol

thanks again!!

[javajaws]

I bought the black and decker brand dremal from wally world...its the orange/red colored one. Just get the tile bit, it'll be all you need for enlarging existing holes.