Bulkhead???

geraldwhite

Member
Ok more questions hopefully someone will have the answers..
My setup is going to have a closed loop as well as a drain and return for the sump..
The tank is 200gal,
the sump will be getting 1600gph so i'm going to use a 2" drain on the bottom of the overflow.
Questions:
1. Will a stand pipe effect the the flow? How much?
2. What size whole do i need to drill for the drain to be 2", i read that bulkheads need to have larger holes then you plan on drillling?
Now becuase this tank is a square the closed loop system will be drilled into the overflow, the pump i'm using calls for a 2" suction and 1.5" discharge.
Questions:
1. what size hole should i drill in the overflow for the 2" suction... do these need bulkheads as well?
Thanks!
 

ameno

Active Member
I'm not 100% sure I understand some of what your describing, but I'll try and help what I can, First off when you say overflow, does the tank have overflow weirs in it and your planning to drill the bottom of the weir in the bottom of the tank?
For question no.1. the stand pipe should not effect your flow, if you use a dursco or stockman silencer just make sure it has enough vent for the flow.
For question no.2 I would buy the bulkhead first to make sure what size hole you would need, that way you can be sure, for my 1.5" I needed a 2.375" dia hole.
As far as hole size for your pump suction you should go with 2" min. for the 2" suction, never smaller then the suction, this could cause pump cavitation.
For the return you may want to also go up in size to 2" to get better flow.
 

ameno

Active Member
sorry I said hole size on the pump, I meant pipe size, The suction pipe size should be 2"
 

geraldwhite

Member
Yeah, the pump I'm getting has a 2" suction, and 1.5 return, should i up the return to 2"...
A company is making my tank and i need to show them where i want the holes etc and what size, should i buy the bulkheads seperate and then measure them and put the bulks on my self or should i have them do it? Then how will i know what size to tell them?
Also does my closed loop need bulk heads the suction will be cut into the middle of the center overflow box.
 

devil dog

Active Member
3-3/16" is the smallest you can go with a 2" Gray Bulkhead Fittings... if you go to Plumbing Supply dot com you will find them that is where I have bought all of mine...
And a 2" bulkhead will run you about $23 each...
 

ameno

Active Member
for your return I would go up to 2", a lot of pumps recommend 2X dia on the return for max. flow, but I would think 2" would give you plenty and reduce friction loss verses going 1.5" all the way. If there willing to install the bulkheads that might be a good option then they would have to figure out the hole size for the bulkhead, if not I would look at the bulkheads your going to buy and see what hole size they recommend. I know when I bought mine there was a chart that gave hole size for the bulkhead. I'm thinking for 2" it would be around 2.75" dia. but I would check and be sure it can vary. I think you would need a bulkhead for your closed loop supply to attach your pump supply pipe to, If I'm understanding right, Your putting the pump supply in the middle of your overflow box? If you do that are you sure the water level in the box will be high enough to pick up the water? IMO I would think you would want the supply outside the box, for one there's no chance of restricting flow to what goes in the overflow, and you'll be able to pull water from different areas of the tank to recirc. instead of just from the top
 

rod buehle

Member
standard schedule 40 needs a 3" hole, and schedule needs 3-1/4" hole
Yes, its a good idea to increase the return line to 2"
Be sure that he teeth in the overflow will be able to handle to normal waterflow to the sump and th ewaterflow for the closed loop. That overflow box will have to have a lot of surface area and/or some big deep teeth.
 

geraldwhite

Member
Originally Posted by ameno
for your return I would go up to 2", a lot of pumps recommend 2X dia on the return for max. flow, but I would think 2" would give you plenty and reduce friction loss verses going 1.5" all the way. If there willing to install the bulkheads that might be a good option then they would have to figure out the hole size for the bulkhead, if not I would look at the bulkheads your going to buy and see what hole size they recommend. I know when I bought mine there was a chart that gave hole size for the bulkhead. I'm thinking for 2" it would be around 2.75" dia. but I would check and be sure it can vary. I think you would need a bulkhead for your closed loop supply to attach your pump supply pipe to, If I'm understanding right, Your putting the pump supply in the middle of your overflow box? If you do that are you sure the water level in the box will be high enough to pick up the water? IMO I would think you would want the supply outside the box, for one there's no chance of restricting flow to what goes in the overflow, and you'll be able to pull water from different areas of the tank to recirc. instead of just from the top

I woould bring it through the back as suggested the issue with that is, this is a square tank and viewable from all sides, so it has to be a center overflow, there is no change to run it from the bacck wall becuase every wall is the font of the tank, if you catch my meaning.. :)
 

ameno

Active Member
ok, now I understand, I've seen that type setup before, looks really good.
So do you plan on running the pump suction line up into the overflow and then out the side of the overflow, If so I would think you would still need a bulkhead in the overflow bottom and also were you come out the side, that way you get a good seal on the box and be able to attach a screen on the bulkhead.
We want to see some pics of this when you get it set up
 

geraldwhite

Member
Originally Posted by ameno
ok, now I understand, I've seen that type setup before, looks really good.
So do you plan on running the pump suction line up into the overflow and then out the side of the overflow, If so I would think you would still need a bulkhead in the overflow bottom and also were you come out the side, that way you get a good seal on the box and be able to attach a screen on the bulkhead.
We want to see some pics of this when you get it set up

Exactly, The Suction will be drilled through the overflow, it will go down under the tank and meet the pump, then it will be returned through various holes throughout the tank...
 

ameno

Active Member
sounds great keep us posted on the progress, like to see some pics of this beast when it's up and running
 

geraldwhite

Member
Heres another question for you how big do you think my center overflow and the teeth on the overflow should be to supply 2000gph? to the sump.
 

ameno

Active Member
I would think that the size it's gona have to be for all the bulkheads to fit in should be plenty big enough to get the flow you would need through the top. 2000 gph would go through a pretty small opening, say 3" square, it would just raise the water level up to were it would get the volume through the opening, for instance I have 1000 gph going thru a 1.5" pipe and my water level is about 1/2 above the pipe.
 

devil dog

Active Member
Originally Posted by geraldwhite
Heres another question for you how big do you think my center overflow and the teeth on the overflow should be to supply 2000gph? to the sump.

2" will be 2000gph... if your teeth are not big enugh it will just go over the top of them so i would say 3/8"... I have about 15 on my 120g and it still go's over the top... I think that is fine...
 

geraldwhite

Member
Ok got it, yeah im thinking of having the overflow .5" below the water surface, and having two 1.5" drains for the sump. 3/8" for the teeth size and ill have about 8 teeth on each side, so about 32 teeth. The way i have the overflow drawn will be 10"x10" by 24.5" tall. I'm still laying out all the holes in cad to see if they fit. Let me know what you thank.
 

geraldwhite

Member
Ok guys here are some measurements for the holes in the over flow box, there will be two 1.5" drains and two 1.5" returns. The larger holes are for the closed loop system which will be ran by two pumps, thus the two holes each 2" in size.
Note the holes are larger to accomodate for the bulkheads.
I am a little concened about the placement of the holes and the amount of room there is to work with in the overflow, however the pipe will be much smaller then the holes here so...
let me know what you think and suggestions are always good, before i have them drill this thing!


 

geraldwhite

Member
Ok I have already made changes the holes that are drilled in the over flow box are now on oposite sides of there wall, this way there will the returns will not be directly in front of the hole! how did i miss that??!!

 
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