bulkhead plumbing

EchoFish · 04/12/2006, 01:06 PM

I thought I had thought my tank-drilling through thoroughly (I thought I thaw a puddytat) but it turns out maybe I was a bit hasty. My original plan was one 1.5" drain line in the center near the top and two 1" returns near the side. I just had this done, and just got the tank back (EXCEPT the tank was drilled wrong, so I've got 2x1" and 1x1.25"). Now I'm realizing that I probably should have two drainlines, in case one fails so I don't flood the house. So then I should use the two on the side for drains, right? I don't really want to give up a return though, as I want to avoid powerheads (trigger toys). Is there a happy medium for this situation? Maybe, branch (Y) the drain line immediately on the back of the tank, or something?

Really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this. Thanks much!

dwdenny · 04/12/2006, 01:25 PM

One question did you mess up how you wanted it drilled or did the person drilling the tank mess up?

Any way sounds like this is draining to the sump then you plan on a loop to run the sump return? If that was you plan then you will have a bubble factory in your tank. Could use the 1.25" drain to a seperate pump then over the back with the return for the CL(closed Loop) As far as the drain use the 2 1" to drain to the sump and return with a smaller pump and return the lines over the top. Of course this is all dependent on if you have a canopy. If not and you are going to use a pendant style lighting then have more holes drilled.

EchoFish · 04/12/2006, 02:25 PM

Who mess up the holes, me or the driller? Actually, both. The business that drilled it drilled the center size wrong, but I should have requested 4 holes instead of three...so both.

More holes really isn't an option at this point, I just have to make do with what I've got. I wasn't planning on a closed loop. I just wanted to drain to the sump using the 1.25" hole, through the skimmer, over the baffles/bubble traps, through the fuge, over more baffles/bubble traps, then through the return pump (returning to the tank via the two 1"). I didn't really want to have any hang-on return plumbing.

04/12/2006, 01:06 PM	#1
EchoFish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Springfield Posts: 77	bulkhead plumbing I thought I had thought my tank-drilling through thoroughly (I thought I thaw a puddytat) but it turns out maybe I was a bit hasty. My original plan was one 1.5" drain line in the center near the top and two 1" returns near the side. I just had this done, and just got the tank back (EXCEPT the tank was drilled wrong, so I've got 2x1" and 1x1.25"). Now I'm realizing that I probably should have two drainlines, in case one fails so I don't flood the house. So then I should use the two on the side for drains, right? I don't really want to give up a return though, as I want to avoid powerheads (trigger toys). Is there a happy medium for this situation? Maybe, branch (Y) the drain line immediately on the back of the tank, or something? Really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this. Thanks much!

04/12/2006, 01:25 PM	#2
dwdenny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Edinburg, Texas Posts: 1,369	One question did you mess up how you wanted it drilled or did the person drilling the tank mess up? Any way sounds like this is draining to the sump then you plan on a loop to run the sump return? If that was you plan then you will have a bubble factory in your tank. Could use the 1.25" drain to a seperate pump then over the back with the return for the CL(closed Loop) As far as the drain use the 2 1" to drain to the sump and return with a smaller pump and return the lines over the top. Of course this is all dependent on if you have a canopy. If not and you are going to use a pendant style lighting then have more holes drilled. __________________ "Attitude determine altitude" Visit MAAST.org just click the "Red House" Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder in the works

04/12/2006, 02:25 PM	#3
EchoFish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Springfield Posts: 77	Who mess up the holes, me or the driller? Actually, both. The business that drilled it drilled the center size wrong, but I should have requested 4 holes instead of three...so both. More holes really isn't an option at this point, I just have to make do with what I've got. I wasn't planning on a closed loop. I just wanted to drain to the sump using the 1.25" hole, through the skimmer, over the baffles/bubble traps, through the fuge, over more baffles/bubble traps, then through the return pump (returning to the tank via the two 1"). I didn't really want to have any hang-on return plumbing.