Bulkhead sizing question

[Jarrok]

I bought a used 150gal recently and there are 4 drilled holes at 2 inches each.
4 bulkheads came with the tank but two of them are so beaten up that I can't even get the Nuts to screw on.

I guess my issue is that I don't really know what size of bulkhead I need/ how to interpret the sizing?

Any help would be very appreciated.


Additionally, do I really need four 2" holes in this bad boy, or should I just plug two of them? (I'm probably not going to be able to run of them regardless, can only fit one durso in my overflow compartment) I'm only interested in doing softies/mushrooms and I have 2 Koralia 1200 gph powerheads for circulation. After head loss I'm looking at 1000 gph out of my mag 12 as well.

 

[nmbeg]

You need to know what size PVC will fit into the bulkheads--best thing might be to just take the bulkheads to home depot and test fit some pipes to see what size--then you can order new bulkheads of appropriate size. your LFS can probably also size them for you.

additionally, here is a sizing diagram (this one is for threaded bulkheads--there might be a different diagram for slip bulkheads)
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulkhead-abs-thread-x-thread-2.html

As for 4 holes, I think you will need all of them--one drain and one return on each side (I am assuming you have two overflows?).

 

[SGT_York]

Usually one hole is for the return the other is for a durso drain.

a 2" hole is not a standard bulkhead it's inbetween a 1" and 1.5" at 1.65" and 2.32" respectivley. Generally they are measured in milimeters. Verify the hole size likely it's a 1".

What are the sizes of the existing bulkheads?

 

[Jarrok]

Only one overflow box, two holes in it. I can only fit one durso. The other two holes are in the back center of the tank, I currently have a single pvc standpipe tee'd off into two returns in one of those holes.

Each bulkhead I currently have has a 1 inch hole and is made of sch 60 pvc, super thick stuff and is extra long. I haven't the slightest clue what size they are or how to order something that matches.

Sorry, definitely not trying to sound like an idiot here.

 

[Jarrok]

Would I be best advised to go with 1" bulkheads at this point? Maybe something with an enlarged flange? DIY bulkheads maybe a better idea?

 

[nmbeg]

i would take bulkhead to LFS and have them size it.

the two holes in the back are weird--they don't usually come up straight in the back--but i can't see why you can't use one or both for a return line.

 

[Jarrok]

I'll run it in to an LFS then. I wish there was a decent one somewhere close.

Those two holes perplexed me too. Had I been thinking when I bought it, I probably would've taken those into consideration. Instead I just saw a big beautiful 150g reef. Doh.

 

[sleepydoc]

odd - it has two holes in the middle of the bottom, and two in the corner overflow? Too many holes is not a problem - worst case you get a bulkhead with a stub of PVC in it to cap it off or silicone a piece of glass over it. I'd rather have too many holes than not enough!

Normally with 4 holes, one would run a Bean Animal system - one return, one full siphon drain, one trickle drain and one dry emergency. Your configuration makes it a bit trickier to set that up, but you could.

You have two tasks - first measure the holes and figure out what size bulkhead fits them. After you do this, I'd get 4 new bulkheads. Then figure out how you want to use them.

 

[nmbeg]

You have two tasks - first measure the holes and figure out what size bulkhead fits them. After you do this, I'd get 4 new bulkheads. Then figure out how you want to use them.

That's three tasks.

 

[Jarrok]

I guess I'm going to need to research the bean animal system. I'm not really the handyman type so it might be quite the adventure, haha.

 

[sleepydoc]

That's three tasks.

The first two should be grouped under "replace the bulkheads.":wildone:

I guess I'm going to need to research the bean animal system. I'm not really the handyman type so it might be quite the adventure, haha.

Reef keeping will be quite the adventure! :fish1:

 

[SGT_York]

Use the corner overflow for a herbie drain system. One durso and one just plain open pipe with a gate valve under the tank = perfectly balanced and silent system.

For the other two holes use them for your returns or a closed loop.

You may need to get schedule 80 bulkheads. I've never seen schedule 60 bulkheads available, but haven't looked.

 

[Jarrok]

I got it sized and what I had were schedule 80 1 inch bulkheads. The hole is actually just under 2 inches, and the sch 80 fit a 1.88 hole. So they'll fit snugly.

I'm reading into the herbie system now, definitely looks like my best bet.

 

[phillrodrigo]

1" bulkheads are usually around 1 3/4 hole. I guess some may be alittle bigger or smaller. I guess being schedule 80 they are probably thicker so may have alittle bit bigger hole

 

[ca1ore]

A 1" schedule 80 bulkhead will not fit into a 2" hole - and I've never heard of sch60? I'd do what York suggested, SGT that is, and put a herbie inside the overflow and use the other two holes for returns.

 

[jinks]

If you plumb your returns through those holes in the back and your power goes out it will drain your tank down to them. The only thing I could see doing with them would be the intake on a closed loop. Any drain or sump return will dump your tank unless you run the pipe to your water line or cover it in a box. If you don't want a closed loop then just cap them.

 

[ca1ore]

If you plumb your returns through those holes in the back and your power goes out it will drain your tank down to them.

Only if you have the outlet at the bottom of the tank. Lol. Though I suppose this is the 'new to the hobby' section, so a more explicit description is warranted. So, if you use either of those bottom holes for the return it will be necessary to run the return pipe all the way up to the top of the tank!

 

[Jarrok]

If you plumb your returns through those holes in the back and your power goes out it will drain your tank down to them. The only thing I could see doing with them would be the intake on a closed loop. Any drain or sump return will dump your tank unless you run the pipe to your water line or cover it in a box. If you don't want a closed loop then just cap them.

I had definitely taken that into consideration. I currently have a PVC standpipe that tees out into two returns running up from one of the holes (the top sits about han inch below the water level) that I intend to try to conceal with aquascaping. It'll probably look ghetto as it gets, but it should be functional.

 

[Jarrok]

Bulkheads showed up from BRS, 1 inch sch 80. Fit perfectly (more or less) and it's holding water/plumbing is working out (so far). I appreciate the advice!