Step-by-Step: Drilling Holes in Your Glass Tank for Bulkheads - Page 24

dtaranath · 01/06/2007, 06:34 AM

ha. also one of my favorites. The first time I saw it, I had to rewind it like 10 times.

scottk · 01/06/2007, 07:42 AM

I didn't have the time to read all 23 previous pages, but did anyone mention that if you have a yard and the tank is portable, like 75 gallons or less, you can take it out in the yard and use a trickling water hose to accomplish the same thing as the cup method? A lot less time and worry and you get a nice cleanup, all at the same time.....

Very good heat dissipation with running water........

dtaranath · 01/06/2007, 08:38 AM

yes, you can. see adnup's pics on page 13.

danoreef · 01/06/2007, 09:14 PM

I am worried that drilling holes in my tank will significantly weaken the strength of the tank. what do you think?

printedpaper · 01/06/2007, 11:06 PM

Scottk, thats how I did mine and it worked great

reefinnewb · 01/09/2007, 05:36 PM

I am planning on drilling my 29g with a bit from lau. It shipped on the second and still waiting. Anyone know about how long it should take to get to Pa?

spmedi · 01/09/2007, 05:45 PM

You should have it shortly. Mine shipped to Indy, took about 8 or 9 days. If I remember correctly. = )

tigga · 01/17/2007, 06:23 PM

What is the drill bit size for a 1.5" & 0.75" bulkhead? I need the size in mm & inches.

Thanks

For those who think diamond drill bits are expensive, please look on ebay and buy the ones from HOng Kong

dtaranath · 01/17/2007, 10:19 PM

that depends on if it's a schedule 40 or schedule 80 bulkhead.

what do you have?

I used a 60mm bit for a schedule 40 1.5" bulkhead.

MGB · 01/18/2007, 11:33 AM

I've been waiting for a 45 mm drill bit from Lau (Hong Kong) for over a month now, I've emailed twice and got positive responses, but I'm starting to wonder. This is holding up my project, as I need to get the sump finished.

MGB

swedish steel · 01/18/2007, 09:55 PM

Lau has very good service and every order I placed has been received. I would continue communicating with him. No order took more than two weeks to arrive, so I would think there is a problem in your case.

GoldStripe · 01/19/2007, 05:45 AM

I agree, the service from Lau has always been top notch for me. I've ordered 3 times from him and no problems yet. I suspect that maybe he didn't have the bit you needed in stock and is waiting on a shipment of them? Maybe that's the case, just a thought.

ordy1 · 01/30/2007, 07:10 AM

hey all:

I'm ordering a 2" standard bulkhead fitting from Marine Depot. It calls for a 3" hole in back of my 46 gallon tank. I've already drilled two holes for two 1" bulkheads that are used for supply to my sump.

The new bulkhead will be used for supply to a future Sequence Dart pump. It's intake is 2". Can I drill a hole for a 1.5" bulkhead and reduce the 2" intake to 1.5"? I've read that as long as you don't reduce the intake smaller than the discharge you're okay. But I've also read that the pump runs hotter and this may limit the life of the pump. Who's right, who's wrong? I just cant see drilling a 3" hole in the back of the tank. That's a pretty big hole. But then again a 2 3/8" hole for a 1.5" fitting is not that small either. Has anyone gone a differant route when plumbing their Sequence pumps?

Thanks for the help. BTW: Awsome website.

Cheers
Ordy

swedish steel · 01/30/2007, 10:11 AM

I drilled two 3 3/16" holes in each of my two tanks - one one each end to feed Sequence Dart pums. These were for schedule 80 bulkheads. I think you would be fine as long as you were at least 1/2 the hole diameter from any edge.

JustOneMoreTank · 01/30/2007, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ordy1
hey all:

I'm ordering a 2" standard bulkhead fitting from Marine Depot. It calls for a 3" hole in back of my 46 gallon tank. I've already drilled two holes for two 1" bulkheads that are used for supply to my sump.

The new bulkhead will be used for supply to a future Sequence Dart pump. It's intake is 2". Can I drill a hole for a 1.5" bulkhead and reduce the 2" intake to 1.5"? I've read that as long as you don't reduce the intake smaller than the discharge you're okay. But I've also read that the pump runs hotter and this may limit the life of the pump. Who's right, who's wrong? I just cant see drilling a 3" hole in the back of the tank. That's a pretty big hole. But then again a 2 3/8" hole for a 1.5" fitting is not that small either. Has anyone gone a differant route when plumbing their Sequence pumps?

Thanks for the help. BTW: Awsome website.

Cheers
Ordy

I have two 1.5" bulkheads that T together into a common 2" PVC to feed my Dart. That works well for me.

adw · 02/01/2007, 01:16 PM

Would 2 1" bulkheads be to small to feed a Dart with a 2" intake?

kookerson · 02/03/2007, 12:27 PM

just wanted to say thank you for an awesome thread! I bought some of those bits from Lau on ebay and it worked out beautifully!

benray4fun · 02/03/2007, 08:20 PM

Where can we buy these bits locally?...home depot, lowes, or....

fighton03 · 02/03/2007, 08:52 PM

I have seen several mentions of diy bulkheads in this thread. Anyone have a link or summary of that arrangement?

GoldStripe · 02/04/2007, 08:26 AM

I don't have the links for DIY bulkheads but if it was me, I wouldn't even think about using them unless it was in a scenario where it didn't matter if they leaked. I think they were using PVC fittings, one male threaded and one female threaded. The flange IMO just isn't big enough to assure me it'll be leakproof. Plus you have to find something to serve as a gasket. This of course, is just my opinion and not intended to slam anyone who uses them.

duhfactor · 02/04/2007, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JustOneMoreTank
I have two 1.5" bulkheads that T together into a common 2" PVC to feed my Dart. That works well for me.

I'm about ready to put a dart on my 75 as a closed loop too, is there a reason you chose not to use a 2" bulkhead to feed the dart? I'm assuming it is due to concerns over that size if intake sucking in fish, etc.?

D

Jim_Leyland · 02/04/2007, 11:21 AM

i was searching through the pages but stopped at 7 lol.. can anyone tell me what size "Drain" holes ill need to get about 1100GPH? im getting a mag 12 for a return pump and i need to be able to drain as much as im pumping back up! i was thinking 2 1" but i don't know if that will be enough? should i go bigger or just make more? please let me know.. thanks

kookerson · 02/04/2007, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by benray4fun
Where can we buy these bits locally?...home depot, lowes, or....

The only local place is Hong Kong! LOL! It cost me, I think, 15 bucks, for 2 of the bits and they did a great job! Well worth the money!

benray4fun · 02/04/2007, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kookerson
The only local place is Hong Kong! LOL! It cost me, I think, 15 bucks, for 2 of the bits and they did a great job! Well worth the money!

Boo!...

...

benray4fun · 02/04/2007, 05:12 PM

Went to the lfs and had'm drill it...

01/06/2007, 06:34 AM	#576
dtaranath Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 542	ha. also one of my favorites. The first time I saw it, I had to rewind it like 10 times. __________________ ______________________ 220g mixed reef

01/06/2007, 08:38 AM	#578
dtaranath Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 542	yes, you can. see adnup's pics on page 13. __________________ ______________________ 220g mixed reef

01/06/2007, 09:14 PM	#579
danoreef I love ReefCentral! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 703	I am worried that drilling holes in my tank will significantly weaken the strength of the tank. what do you think? __________________ Any Aquarium is good enough for me!

01/17/2007, 10:19 PM	#584
dtaranath Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 542	that depends on if it's a schedule 40 or schedule 80 bulkhead. what do you have? I used a 60mm bit for a schedule 40 1.5" bulkhead. __________________ ______________________ 220g mixed reef

02/01/2007, 01:16 PM	#591
adw Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ashland MA Posts: 623	Would 2 1" bulkheads be to small to feed a Dart with a 2" intake? __________________ When asked if he had any regrets about throwing the man through the window, Barkley said, "I regret we weren't on a higher floor." "It's all about bucks kid, the rest is conversation." Gordon Gecko Current Tank Info: 36x24x24 90 gal with 40B sump, 2x RADION XR30W, AC3, Tunze osmulator, Octopus XP-2000SSS Cone Skimmer, KORALLIN C-1501, MP40 and 2 Hydor PHs

01/06/2007, 07:42 AM	#577
scottk Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 118	I didn't have the time to read all 23 previous pages, but did anyone mention that if you have a yard and the tank is portable, like 75 gallons or less, you can take it out in the yard and use a trickling water hose to accomplish the same thing as the cup method? A lot less time and worry and you get a nice cleanup, all at the same time..... Very good heat dissipation with running water........

01/06/2007, 11:06 PM	#580
printedpaper Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Grand Rapids Mi Posts: 226	Scottk, thats how I did mine and it worked great

01/09/2007, 05:36 PM	#581
reefinnewb Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Macungie, Pa Posts: 167	I am planning on drilling my 29g with a bit from lau. It shipped on the second and still waiting. Anyone know about how long it should take to get to Pa?

01/09/2007, 05:45 PM	#582
spmedi Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 285	You should have it shortly. Mine shipped to Indy, took about 8 or 9 days. If I remember correctly. = )

01/17/2007, 06:23 PM	#583
tigga Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 196	What is the drill bit size for a 1.5" & 0.75" bulkhead? I need the size in mm & inches. Thanks For those who think diamond drill bits are expensive, please look on ebay and buy the ones from HOng Kong

01/18/2007, 11:33 AM	#585
MGB Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 270	I've been waiting for a 45 mm drill bit from Lau (Hong Kong) for over a month now, I've emailed twice and got positive responses, but I'm starting to wonder. This is holding up my project, as I need to get the sump finished. MGB

01/18/2007, 09:55 PM	#586
swedish steel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 102	Lau has very good service and every order I placed has been received. I would continue communicating with him. No order took more than two weeks to arrive, so I would think there is a problem in your case.

01/19/2007, 05:45 AM	#587
GoldStripe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jville, FL Posts: 1,136	I agree, the service from Lau has always been top notch for me. I've ordered 3 times from him and no problems yet. I suspect that maybe he didn't have the bit you needed in stock and is waiting on a shipment of them? Maybe that's the case, just a thought.

01/30/2007, 07:10 AM	#588
ordy1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: new jersey Posts: 425	hey all: I'm ordering a 2" standard bulkhead fitting from Marine Depot. It calls for a 3" hole in back of my 46 gallon tank. I've already drilled two holes for two 1" bulkheads that are used for supply to my sump. The new bulkhead will be used for supply to a future Sequence Dart pump. It's intake is 2". Can I drill a hole for a 1.5" bulkhead and reduce the 2" intake to 1.5"? I've read that as long as you don't reduce the intake smaller than the discharge you're okay. But I've also read that the pump runs hotter and this may limit the life of the pump. Who's right, who's wrong? I just cant see drilling a 3" hole in the back of the tank. That's a pretty big hole. But then again a 2 3/8" hole for a 1.5" fitting is not that small either. Has anyone gone a differant route when plumbing their Sequence pumps? Thanks for the help. BTW: Awsome website. Cheers Ordy

01/30/2007, 10:11 AM	#589
swedish steel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 102	I drilled two 3 3/16" holes in each of my two tanks - one one each end to feed Sequence Dart pums. These were for schedule 80 bulkheads. I think you would be fine as long as you were at least 1/2 the hole diameter from any edge.

02/03/2007, 12:27 PM	#592
kookerson Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,017	just wanted to say thank you for an awesome thread! I bought some of those bits from Lau on ebay and it worked out beautifully!

02/03/2007, 08:20 PM	#593
benray4fun Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hartford, CONNECTICUT Posts: 1,147	Where can we buy these bits locally?...home depot, lowes, or....

02/03/2007, 08:52 PM	#594
fighton03 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: baytown, tx Posts: 331	I have seen several mentions of diy bulkheads in this thread. Anyone have a link or summary of that arrangement?

02/04/2007, 08:26 AM	#595
GoldStripe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jville, FL Posts: 1,136	I don't have the links for DIY bulkheads but if it was me, I wouldn't even think about using them unless it was in a scenario where it didn't matter if they leaked. I think they were using PVC fittings, one male threaded and one female threaded. The flange IMO just isn't big enough to assure me it'll be leakproof. Plus you have to find something to serve as a gasket. This of course, is just my opinion and not intended to slam anyone who uses them.

02/04/2007, 11:21 AM	#597
Jim_Leyland Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent, Ohio Posts: 924	i was searching through the pages but stopped at 7 lol.. can anyone tell me what size "Drain" holes ill need to get about 1100GPH? im getting a mag 12 for a return pump and i need to be able to drain as much as im pumping back up! i was thinking 2 1" but i don't know if that will be enough? should i go bigger or just make more? please let me know.. thanks

02/04/2007, 05:12 PM	#600
benray4fun Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hartford, CONNECTICUT Posts: 1,147	Went to the lfs and had'm drill it...