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09/09/2017, 04:11 PM | #1 |
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How to plug a bulkhead bottom of tank? Good ghost overflow box?
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? |
09/09/2017, 06:39 PM | #2 |
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If it was me I would use the right thickness of glass and silicone. Perhaps do both sides if possible?
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09/09/2017, 06:44 PM | #3 | |
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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 |
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09/09/2017, 07:05 PM | #4 | |
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I am using the synergy reef 16 inch overflow. Previous gen model. Love it. |
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09/09/2017, 07:19 PM | #5 |
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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. |
09/09/2017, 07:51 PM | #6 | |
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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? |
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09/09/2017, 07:56 PM | #7 |
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How thick did you go? Think the bulkhead is 1"
How thick on the glass should I go? |
09/09/2017, 08:36 PM | #8 |
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09/09/2017, 09:06 PM | #9 |
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Use a glass patch of the same thickness as the tank bottom; let the silicone cure for a full week.
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09/09/2017, 10:22 PM | #10 |
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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
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09/09/2017, 11:46 PM | #11 | |
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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 |
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09/10/2017, 06:24 AM | #12 |
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You can just cap/plug it up too and leave the bulkhead..
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09/10/2017, 07:53 AM | #13 |
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Any local glass shop will have the thickness you are looking for, and probably in their scrap bin, so cost will be minimal.
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09/10/2017, 08:49 AM | #14 |
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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.
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09/10/2017, 09:28 AM | #15 |
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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? |
09/10/2017, 09:50 AM | #16 |
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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.
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09/10/2017, 10:13 AM | #17 | |
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09/10/2017, 05:08 PM | #18 | |
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That's what I'll do |
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09/10/2017, 05:09 PM | #19 | |
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Looks good on your tank. Definitely want one for my tank |
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09/11/2017, 09:34 AM | #20 | |
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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. |
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09/11/2017, 09:40 AM | #21 |
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slightly off topic question.
I can see the ghost overflow looks nice, but how do you do the return? over the top return? |
09/11/2017, 09:54 AM | #22 | |
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09/11/2017, 10:06 AM | #23 |
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ok, that makes sense, since you need to drill the holes for the overflow anyway.
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09/11/2017, 03:26 PM | #24 | |
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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. |
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09/11/2017, 03:35 PM | #25 |
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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? |
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