What size is your hole????

[Reeforbust]

What size bulkheads do you use in your tank....

I have a 110gallon and will be drilling holes for the sump. I just dont know what size is best???
I might drill for a closed loop also, would it be the same size?

[Dizzyswimmer]

What type of pumps are you going to use ?

[Reeforbust]

No idea yet......

Probably mag drive....maybe 9.5 or 12

[prafferty]

You can easily downsize the plumbing, but its not as easy to re- the tank. Bigger is better.

[Reeforbust]

That is a good way to look at it!!

[Herbert T. Kornfeld]

gosh that is open ended...

I would make the sump low-flow, like 200gph, and get the most out of your pumps by using a larger pump on the closed loop. I would drill two 1" holes for overflows, and a single 3/4" return line...through the back or over the side.

For a closed loop, I would drill a hole for a 1.5" bulkhead some where near the top 6" of the tank's back wall. I would put 1" bulkheads on the back wall...three across the top, and two at each bottom corner of the tank.

[MarkS]

Personally, I'd go with two 2" bulkheads. That sounds excessive now, but it will ensure that the tank can handle any amount flow you throw at it in the future.

I'm building a 360 gallon plywood tank. Originally, I was going to go with two 2" drains, but I'm even reconsidering that. Now, two 3" drains are sounding nice.

It never hurts to plan ahead.

[Herbert T. Kornfeld]

Depends on your desired overflow rate. I like to keep my flow through the sump on the low side, and keep the big pumps on closed loops. If you only run 200gph through the overflows, two 1" drains that can prolly handle 1000gph are enough.

[utnosaj]

I use 2 1 1/2" for my closed loop, and 2 1" for the sump.

[areze]

bigger is better you guys say, but does larger not increase the structural stress on the wall? punch a bunch of huge holes, might not not crack?

[Herbert T. Kornfeld]

Well, thats why when you make the tank you use thicker glass on the pieces you are drilling. I would never drill multiple holes in a tank that was at stock thickness. Maybe one or two...but thats it.

I assume Reeforbust is either talking about acrylic or is very good with drilling if hes asking Q's like that...

[Reeforbust]

I've got an AGA "stock" tank and I was just wondering what size was best for overflow and return lines.

How good do you have to be just to drill a few holes in glass

Actually I think I'm gonna go with one 1 1/2" bulkhead and two 3/4" bulks for the closed loop.

[Herbert T. Kornfeld]

Its stock? I wouldnt put more than two holes in it then...1" in each upper corner...do a cali style overflow and run your closed loop over the back of the tank...as well as your return line.

[Reeforbust]

Well that aint no fun

[Herbert T. Kornfeld]

Of course, you could always slice out the panel you want to have drilled...go to a local glass shop... and have them cut a piece 2x as thick and drill the holes for you then... You just have to subtract some of your width if its the back panel, cuz it will not sit behind the two side panels any more...it will sit in between them. If you remove and replace the bottom or sides however, you can replace with exacxtly the same size...just thicker and drilled with holes.

Then just silicone it back in...

Are you gonna have a canopy? CUz if you are, just running the CL over the back isnt a big deal.

[Reeforbust]

????


I need a drink........

[spork]

use 1 1/2

[Reeforbust]

K