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Unread 09/09/2017, 04:11 PM   #1
Oceanavekid
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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?


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Unread 09/09/2017, 06:39 PM   #2
fcmatt
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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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Unread 09/09/2017, 06:44 PM   #3
Oceanavekid
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fcmatt View Post
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


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Unread 09/09/2017, 07:05 PM   #4
fcmatt
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oceanavekid View Post
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.


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Unread 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.


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Unread 09/09/2017, 07:51 PM   #6
Oceanavekid
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fifthtoe View Post
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?


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Unread 09/09/2017, 07:56 PM   #7
Oceanavekid
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How thick did you go? Think the bulkhead is 1"
How thick on the glass should I go?


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Unread 09/09/2017, 08:36 PM   #8
fcmatt
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oceanavekid View Post
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.


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Unread 09/09/2017, 09:06 PM   #9
ca1ore
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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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Unread 09/09/2017, 10:22 PM   #10
ReefCowboy
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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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Unread 09/09/2017, 11:46 PM   #11
Oceanavekid
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ReefCowboy View Post
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


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Unread 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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Unread 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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Unread 09/10/2017, 08:49 AM   #14
fcmatt
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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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Unread 09/10/2017, 09:28 AM   #15
Oceanavekid
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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?


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Unread 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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Unread 09/10/2017, 10:13 AM   #17
fcmatt
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oceanavekid View Post
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.


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Unread 09/10/2017, 05:08 PM   #18
Oceanavekid
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fcmatt View Post
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


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Unread 09/10/2017, 05:09 PM   #19
Oceanavekid
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ReefCowboy View Post
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.

I plan on buying whatever the newest 16" is

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


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Unread 09/11/2017, 09:34 AM   #20
fifthtoe
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oceanavekid View Post
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.


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Unread 09/11/2017, 09:40 AM   #21
d0ughb0y
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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?


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Unread 09/11/2017, 09:54 AM   #22
fifthtoe
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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?
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.


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Unread 09/11/2017, 10:06 AM   #23
d0ughb0y
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ok, that makes sense, since you need to drill the holes for the overflow anyway.


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Unread 09/11/2017, 03:26 PM   #24
Oceanavekid
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fifthtoe View Post
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.


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Unread 09/11/2017, 03:35 PM   #25
Oceanavekid
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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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