Covering up drilled holes in bottom of tank?

originalozzyo · #1 08/29/2006, 11:23 AM

So here goes my question. I have a 150 bowfront reef ready with dual overflows in the two back corners. I want to remove the left overflow but then i have to deal with two holes on the tank. Is it safe to get a piece of glass and just silicone it overtop of each hole or should i use a bulkhead and close it with some pvc pipe and a cap? Anyone ever done this before? 150 gallons is alot of water to have on the floor if something goes wrong.

Hobster · #2 08/29/2006, 11:48 AM

Is it a glass or acrylic tank?

Either way, I would bulkhead it and then cap it.

RichConley · #3 08/29/2006, 12:12 PM

I'd use a bulkhead, and put a ball valve on it. That way you can use it in the future if you want.

As far as your original question, yes, its perfectly safe to silicon some glass over the hole...just make sure its as thick as the bottom piece, or thicker.

MayoBoy · #4 08/29/2006, 01:52 PM

Bulkhead and plug.

brackishdude · #5 08/29/2006, 01:58 PM

A bulkhead with the pipe/plug on the underside will be the least intrusive in the tank if you're just looking to cap it.

It also is a neat way to create a little cave for critters. You may have it protrude into the tank as needed to poke over your substrate. Have the underside "tee" with a piece of large-radius (clear?) pvc to each side. A cool in-stand hidaway for a moray!!

originalozzyo · #6 08/29/2006, 06:07 PM

Cool, i never thought of that. This will open up a lot of viewing space on the left side of the tank since that is the side everyone will see first when the walk into the room.

Matt Rise · #7 08/29/2006, 08:50 PM

A bulkhead with a ball valve would make it easy for doing water changes...

Cuervo · #8 08/29/2006, 10:15 PM

Or if you ever decided to add a closed loop.

devildij · #9 09/06/2006, 08:18 PM

i wood do either the cave idea /very nice btw/ or silicone a piece of glass to the inside of the tank