awww nuts the hole is too small!

Monkeyfish

Monkeyfish

Active member
So I just got my sump drilled (75 gallon glass tank), tried to put the 3/4" bulkhead in to connect my pump and wallah... the @#$%! hole (1 1/4") is too small. My question to you plumbing experts is:

Can the hole be safely enlarged OR can I use a smaller bulk-head and some plumbing to attach the pump OR am I in need of another tank/sump?

Thanks,
Eric
 
If you have a dremel they make a tile cutter that you can rehm it bigger.
I use the dremmel to put 3 holes in my 55 refuge tank.
 
what type of bulkhead is it? 1-1/4" should be big enough for most 3/4" sched 40 bulkheads(the black ones). Savko says they require 1-1/8" hole.

But it is very easy to make the hole bigger with a dremel, especially if it's really close to fitting. buy a diamond bit for a dremel for like 6 bucks, and use a spray bottle full of water to keep the bit cool. keep the bit moving don't hold it on one place for too long.
 
I'm a Machinist and can open the hole up for you if you'd like. I can turn the hole diameter to fit the pipe. Were on LI are you located? I work nights and you can always come to the shop.

Tim
 
Tim, just out of curiosity, how would you make the hole bigger at the shop? you have a specialty tool for this?
 
We have Lathe's and Milling machines. It's a piece of cake. I live in West Islip, and the shop is in West Babylon off Edison Ave.
 
Don't own a dremmel. How much would one cost and where's the best place to get one? HD, Lowe's, etc.?
 
Last edited:
Oh, buy the way. I was refering to opening the hole in the plastic bulk head to fit the pipe. Not the tank. Just to make sure were all on the same page here, lol.

Tim
 
ok, i was thoroughly confused, thanks for clearing that up. I was trying to figure out how the tank was gonna fit in the lathe :)
 
Is it difficult to use the dremel without damaging the glass? As you can tell, I'm not the handiest of individuals. Only done some basic woodwork.

My concern with getting a smaller bulk-head is that it will constrict the flow to the pump. If I have a half inch bulkhead will this put more strain on the pump and shorten it's life (it's an Iwaki) or does it really matter? The inlet and exit on the pump are 3/4".
 
i personally wouldn't constrict it to 1/2" but what i meant was, if it is a 1-1/4" hole there are 3/4" bulkheads that will fit in that hole without making it bigger. try www.savko.com
 
i personally wouldn't constrict it to 1/2" but what i meant was, if it is a 1-1/4" hole there are 3/4" bulkheads that will fit in that hole without making it bigger. try www.savko.com

And no it's not hard to avoid cracking the glass. It;s scary at first but very easy. as long as you keep the bit very wet you can't really mess it up.
 
All the Savko sched 40 bulkheads with a pipe size of 3/4 inches say 1 7/16"-1 1/2" for hole sizes unless I'm missing something?

I think I'll call the shop that did the hole and see if they'll widen it for me. Pain in the arse to lug the tank back, but I'd rather let the experts do it. If not, I'll get a dremel with a diamond bit, a water bottle and try something new ;) .
 
Yea, I was thinking that I could help out by modifying an existing bulkhead if he needed.

If anyone needs help with silly brackets and such, I'm happy to help out when I can.

I also have diamond hole saws for drilling tanks at home, but don't know if it'll work with an existing hole there. Might vibrate to much, and crack the tank. Never tried it thou.

Tim
 
ok i'm the idiot. I was thrown off because the sizes aren't in order i was reading the 1/2" bulkhead sizes. yeah make the hole bigger if you can.
 
Eric, your mail box is full.

when I get home in the morning I'll check to see if I have a 1/2" bulk head and see if I can open it to fit a 3/4 pipe. Was your bulkhead threaded or slip fit to be glued?

Tim
 
Shyland - No problem. It is a Monday after all.

Tim - Was using one with a ridged end for connecting tubing. I plan on using tubing from sump to pump instead of PVC to help decrease vibrations/noise as others had suggested. Thanks though.
 
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