bulkhead question

[windgrace03]

I have never done a drilled tank before and my new one just came in. The tank has 2 corner over flows with the drain and return in each one. The drain hole is 1 1/2in and the return is 3/4. Now my question is i have been looking online for a few bulkheads and they all say they 3/4 bulkheads say 1 1/8 hole size. what exactley does that mean. If somone could help i would appreciated it thanks

 

[jdl]

what size tank do you have, who makes it?

 

[windgrace03]

the tank is a 150gal. i got it from a lfs in las vegas, don't really know were they order them from.

 

[windgrace03]

ok i guess the 3/4in size hole is not a standard size hole. So question is can i drill the tank myself to make the holes larger???

 

[salt210]

I wouldnt attempt to do that by yourself. the glass breaks very easily. I might be wrong, but it could work the same as piping. the hole in the glass measure 3/4 or does it measure the 1 1/8? the exit hole on the bullkhead should measure 3/4 if I am not mistaken. someone will chime in here to give you more info I am sure.

 

[windgrace03]

There is 2 holes in each overflow one hole measures 3/4 without bulk head so it is tiny the othere hole measures 1.5 so would fit a 3/4 bulk head. So i guess drilling would be out of the question, so what about this idea would the two 3/4 drains be enough for the 150??? And i could just plug the two tiny holes and just run my returnes up the back of the tank and over the top.

 

[jdl]

so what about this idea would the two 3/4 drains be enough for the 150???
the 2, 3/4 bulk heads are your drains. The small holes would be your returns.
there is such a thing as a 1/4 bulkhead but that hole size is usually 7/8"

 

[windgrace03]

could i just run pvc through the holes and use silicone around the pipes or is that a bad idea

 

[jdl]

Originally Posted by windgrace03
http:///forum/post/3019371
could i just run pvc through the holes and use silicone around the pipes or is that a bad idea
That wont work. Do you know who makes your tank?

 

[windgrace03]

nope sure don't. i guess i will just use the two holes that will fit the 3/4 bulk head for the drains, and cover the othere two. just wondering if that will be ok for my size of tank.

 

[jdl]

how are you going to cover them?
i would call the lfs you got it from and ask them what size bulkheads you need. Was this a custom tank or there standard 150?
it is glass right?

 

[windgrace03]

they had it on sale so i am guessing it was a mess up from someone who ordered it. I would just use a rubber plug to plug it. When you said siliconing pvc in the hole won't work is that because when the water goes down the tube and hits a bend there is to much pressure down it will break the silicone? Or is there some other reason?

 

[windgrace03]

and yes it is glass

 

[windgrace03]

ok i guess the silicone will not bond to the pvc. but the two drain lines should be ok for a 150gal right??

 

[scsinet]

If you want to plug the holes, have a small piece of glass cut that covers the hole, then gak it up with aquarium silicon and glue it over the hole. (from INSIDE the tank)
It sounds to me like the tank was a custom job. Whoever ordered it wanted "Holes for a 1.5" bulkhead and a 3/4" bulkhead" but what happened is the tank builder drilled those exact hole dimensions, not the holes required for those size bulkheads.
Honestly those two 3/4" bulkheads will not give you much as far as drain capacity.. probably about 300-400gph each. Not much for a 150. It's a workable solution though... you'll just need to add additional flow in the tank with powerheads or a closed loop.

 

[windgrace03]

Well here is what i did. I didn't close them off, i made my own little bulkhead out of 3/8 so won't be alot of water flow but alittle so better then closing it off. i also have 2 kor 3's that will be going inside the tank. So i guess i should be fine thanks for all the advice