Drill Holes for Return Pump?

huskysglare1 · 06/08/2009, 01:40 PM

What's the usual drill hole size for a return pump?

I was thinking of having a 3/4" bulkhead. with a 1 1/2" drill saw.

I am going to drill it for a 170g tank. I was thinking of drilling 2-3 holes. Any recommendations?

K' Family Reef · 06/08/2009, 01:50 PM

if i understand you correctly
then imo wouldnt recom drilling a hole for a return line from the sump... that can simply be done by going over the top of the aquarium w/ the plumbing... iow why risk drilling a 'hole' when its not necessary... drilling for an overflow is an entirely other issue though...

or are you talking about drilling for a closed loop?

regards

huskysglare1 · 06/08/2009, 02:04 PM

i was debating on weather to drill a hole or just hang it over the top. Which would you recommend?

huskysglare1 · 06/08/2009, 07:23 PM

drill or no drill?

lougotzz · 06/08/2009, 08:05 PM

I drilled my tank as close to the top as I could with a 3/4 in return line. As long as the hole is as close to the top as possible, and your sump can hold the back flow the return line will "suck" i'd say drill. I couldn't have a piece of PVC hanging over the back side of the tank. I want it to look as neat as possible. On the other hand, if you have a canopy, I would not drill cause you wouldn't even notice it.

06/08/2009, 01:40 PM	#1
huskysglare1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Jose Posts: 1,406	Drill Holes for Return Pump? What's the usual drill hole size for a return pump? I was thinking of having a 3/4" bulkhead. with a 1 1/2" drill saw. I am going to drill it for a 170g tank. I was thinking of drilling 2-3 holes. Any recommendations? __________________ Since Jan 2008 Current system: 170G+50g Sump/Bio-Pellet Reactor. 2x400w Radium+2x110w VHO. 2 x HYDRO Magnum 8 + 1xMP60w (removed 2 x Koralia 4). SWC 300A Cone (had SWC 200 w/ Red Demon); it's AWESOME! BRS DOSER(Cal, Alk, and Mag). Current Tank Info: 170g+50g sump

06/08/2009, 02:04 PM	#3
huskysglare1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Jose Posts: 1,406	i was debating on weather to drill a hole or just hang it over the top. Which would you recommend? __________________ Since Jan 2008 Current system: 170G+50g Sump/Bio-Pellet Reactor. 2x400w Radium+2x110w VHO. 2 x HYDRO Magnum 8 + 1xMP60w (removed 2 x Koralia 4). SWC 300A Cone (had SWC 200 w/ Red Demon); it's AWESOME! BRS DOSER(Cal, Alk, and Mag). Current Tank Info: 170g+50g sump

06/08/2009, 07:23 PM	#4
huskysglare1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Jose Posts: 1,406	drill or no drill? __________________ Since Jan 2008 Current system: 170G+50g Sump/Bio-Pellet Reactor. 2x400w Radium+2x110w VHO. 2 x HYDRO Magnum 8 + 1xMP60w (removed 2 x Koralia 4). SWC 300A Cone (had SWC 200 w/ Red Demon); it's AWESOME! BRS DOSER(Cal, Alk, and Mag). Current Tank Info: 170g+50g sump

06/08/2009, 01:50 PM	#2
K' Family Reef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,966	if i understand you correctly then imo wouldnt recom drilling a hole for a return line from the sump... that can simply be done by going over the top of the aquarium w/ the plumbing... iow why risk drilling a 'hole' when its not necessary... drilling for an overflow is an entirely other issue though... or are you talking about drilling for a closed loop? regards

06/08/2009, 08:05 PM	#5
lougotzz Moved On Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,524	I drilled my tank as close to the top as I could with a 3/4 in return line. As long as the hole is as close to the top as possible, and your sump can hold the back flow the return line will "suck" i'd say drill. I couldn't have a piece of PVC hanging over the back side of the tank. I want it to look as neat as possible. On the other hand, if you have a canopy, I would not drill cause you wouldn't even notice it.