bulkhead size

chromatel · 04/08/2013, 01:08 PM

Howdy
i just bought a 75 gallon tank and i had my lfs drill it for me they put 2 1.5inch holes with bulkheads i want to know if this is too much for my tank or if its too big should i put a reducer and make then 1inch holes?

billdogg · 04/08/2013, 01:56 PM

IMHO, you can never have too much drain capacity. Question however - are the holes 1.5" or the bulkheads 1.5" - the answer will dictate your choices of return pumps.

thegrun · 04/08/2013, 05:11 PM

If the actual hole is 1-1/2" it is for a standard 3/4" bulkhead. That would be small for the drain line of a 75 gallon tank IMHO. I much prefer to use two drains, one as a primary, the second as a back up. Two 1" drain lines would be good. A 1" drain line can handle about 600 gph which is about right for flow in a 75 gallon tank. 3/4" lines will handle 700 GPH on the return side so that should not be a problem. If it were my tank I would have two additional 1" bulkheads drilled for drains and use the two 3/4" lines as your returns.

chromatel · 04/09/2013, 07:11 AM

the bulkheads are 1.5 inches there are two of them one on the top left and one on the top right are these too big?the return line in a 1inch flex tube that comes over the top?
what kind of flow an i getting with these huge drains is it too much?

TomTheWicked · 04/09/2013, 08:55 AM

For all intents and purposes, there's not really such thing as "too much drainage." The drains will only "drain" water as fast as it's pumped into the tank. 2 x 1.5" drains will be more than plenty for a 75G and a reasonable return pump.

Just to clarify though, the bulkhead size is 1.5" meaning it uses 1.5" PVC as a drain pipe?

chromatel · 04/09/2013, 09:09 AM

i will be using flexible pipes for the drain but it will be 1.5"

04/08/2013, 01:08 PM	#1
chromatel Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Canada Posts: 20	bulkhead size Howdy i just bought a 75 gallon tank and i had my lfs drill it for me they put 2 1.5inch holes with bulkheads i want to know if this is too much for my tank or if its too big should i put a reducer and make then 1inch holes?

04/08/2013, 01:56 PM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	IMHO, you can never have too much drain capacity. Question however - are the holes 1.5" or the bulkheads 1.5" - the answer will dictate your choices of return pumps. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

04/09/2013, 08:55 AM	#5
TomTheWicked Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Frednecksburg, VA Posts: 170	For all intents and purposes, there's not really such thing as "too much drainage." The drains will only "drain" water as fast as it's pumped into the tank. 2 x 1.5" drains will be more than plenty for a 75G and a reasonable return pump. Just to clarify though, the bulkhead size is 1.5" meaning it uses 1.5" PVC as a drain pipe? __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is" Current Tank Info: 40B w/20G sump, custom stand

04/08/2013, 05:11 PM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	If the actual hole is 1-1/2" it is for a standard 3/4" bulkhead. That would be small for the drain line of a 75 gallon tank IMHO. I much prefer to use two drains, one as a primary, the second as a back up. Two 1" drain lines would be good. A 1" drain line can handle about 600 gph which is about right for flow in a 75 gallon tank. 3/4" lines will handle 700 GPH on the return side so that should not be a problem. If it were my tank I would have two additional 1" bulkheads drilled for drains and use the two 3/4" lines as your returns.

04/09/2013, 07:11 AM	#4
chromatel Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Canada Posts: 20	the bulkheads are 1.5 inches there are two of them one on the top left and one on the top right are these too big?the return line in a 1inch flex tube that comes over the top? what kind of flow an i getting with these huge drains is it too much?

04/09/2013, 09:09 AM	#6
chromatel Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Canada Posts: 20	i will be using flexible pipes for the drain but it will be 1.5"