Drillng glass for bulkhead ?'s

[theROYSKIE]

questions on bulkhead placement. i have a 20 gal sump that i want to connect to a 40 gal refuge that are already in use to feed an 80 gal display but the fuge is on a closed loop unless i open to main system using a secondary overflow box. the two sumps compete for water and it means constant vigilance while fuge is looped in. weird i know but it is a long story.

my 1st question is where do i drill the holes in regards to desired water line? i was thinking that anywhere below the water line, maybe approx 2" below on both tanks.
2nd question: i was planning on two 1&1/2'' bulkheads connecting the two sumps. should they be parallel horizontal or vertical?
3rd q: is two 1&1/2" bulkheads enough to handle desired flow of around 800 gph? (main system drains into sump and return is in the other sump)
4th q: should there b a third hole drilled higher than the first two to act as an emergency relief? even if it is just a union of the two sumps so they do not compete?
5 q: where can i find a glass hole saw bit 1&1/2" in dia, if that is even a good size? in so-cal? or online?

thank you all in advance for your time and input

cheers
Roy

[theROYSKIE]

i found a 1&1/2" glass hole saw bit for $55 free shipping online...

[redfishblewfish]

Originally Posted by theROYSKIE

i found a 1&1/2" glass hole saw bit for $55 free shipping online...

WHAT??? The glass holes holesaw is only $16.

http://www.glass-holes.com/2-3-8-Dia...saw-dhs238.htm

and shipping is only a couple bucks. Buy your bulkheads from them and you'll hit the $25, where shipping is free.

[uncleof6]

Recommended setup: Main tank drains to SUMP. Return pump (line) is split with two branches. One branch returns up to the main tank, the other branch feeds the "fuge." "Fuge" drains back to sump using a normal overflow and drain line. There will be NO balance problems, and no "competition" for water. Doing anything else with it is almost like spinning your wheels, and most often will not work as planned. The "fuge" must be placed above the sump. If you can't do any of this, you will be miles ahead, with fewer headaches to trash the two tank concept and use a sinlge larger tank for sump that includes a "fuge" in it. From 33 years of dealing with aquarium headaches.

[theROYSKIE]

Originally Posted by redfishblewfish

WHAT??? The glass holes holesaw is only $16.

http://www.glass-holes.com/2-3-8-Dia...saw-dhs238.htm

and shipping is only a couple bucks. Buy your bulkheads from them and you'll hit the $25, where shipping is free.

thankyou i thought that was way expensive!

[theROYSKIE]

Originally Posted by uncleof6

Recommended setup: Main tank drains to SUMP. Return pump (line) is split with two branches. One branch returns up to the main tank, the other branch feeds the "fuge." "Fuge" drains back to sump using a normal overflow and drain line. There will be NO balance problems, and no "competition" for water. Doing anything else with it is almost like spinning your wheels, and most often will not work as planned. The "fuge" must be placed above the sump. If you can't do any of this, you will be miles ahead, with fewer headaches to trash the two tank concept and use a sinlge larger tank for sump that includes a "fuge" in it. From 33 years of dealing with aquarium headaches.

if i get the fuge above the sump what can i use for drainage without a conventional overflow box? the fuge is only about 2/3 full for it to work properly. i could drill and install a drain bulkhead on the left side at the water line?

[uncleof6]

Originally Posted by theROYSKIE

if i get the fuge above the sump what can i use for drainage without a conventional overflow box? Nothing that will work as expected and provide necessary surface skimming. The setup is the same as a system with two DTs, and all the same principles apply.the fuge is only about 2/3 full for it to work properly. i could drill and install a drain bulkhead on the left side at the water line? You could yes, but you are going to fill your sump with bubbles to get any surface skimmimg from it.

[theROYSKIE]

thanks for all your input. what r my options if i dont want the sump filled w bubbles while still using the existing fuge tank?
i just built a stand to elevate the fuge above the sump... could i use an o/f box, mount the inner box to the glass at desired level and just get a longer u tube? or i guess i could fill the fuge all the way...

[theROYSKIE]

i may go with the drilled bulkhead drain as opposed to the hang o/f box because in case of power outage or any other bad situation that i seem to always go thru, i would rather have auto drain. the hang on o/f would not b able to prime itself again and then disaster.

[injektion]

these ebay ones are even cheaper at $8 + $5 shipping. i bought the same ones and i've used them at least 3 times and they work great

http://cgi.ebay.com/2pcs-38mm-Diamon...item518e3e5f3d

[theROYSKIE]

Originally Posted by injektion

these ebay ones are even cheaper at $8 + $5 shipping. i bought the same ones and i've used them at least 3 times and they work great

http://cgi.ebay.com/2pcs-38mm-Diamon...item518e3e5f3d

thanks!

[ejcatmul]

Glass holes. Com you get a nice overflow kit for only a few $ more. Makes a nice setup.

[theROYSKIE]

Originally Posted by ejcatmul

Glass holes. Com you get a nice overflow kit for only a few $ more. Makes a nice setup.

glass holes... i just ordered from them, thanks.

i actually have a nice o/f set up however with the water level in the fuge kept so low i will not be able to use it. the inner box must be slightly higher than the outer box of the o/f to keep the syphon primed and ready to handle interupted water flow in case of power outage. drilling the overflow bulkheads is the only way i can see that will be fail safe while using the same fuge without constant vigilance. but i am still open to ideas until the holesaw is delivered