overflows/drill bits

[aquaman05]

Im getting ready to put together my 75 gallon tank and have a couple questions.
My sump is a 20 gallon breader tank, What size drains sould i drill on the display tank and how many?

Same for the return lines how many and what size?

Also were is a good place to get drill bits to drill the glass?

Thanks

Aqua

 

[aquaman05]

I guess thread title should have been bulkhead/drill bits

sorry

 

[EverettReef]

What are you planning for a return pump? You plumbing sizing should follow from your pump flow after head loss.

 

[aquaman05]

Great point Everett!

I was thinking something with about 500 to 600 gph. Would this be ok?

Thanks

 

[EverettReef]

I'd go one inch drain bulkhead and a 3/4 inch return. You could go bigger, not smaller. 500-600 seems a reasonable rate.

 

[aquaman05]

2 of each of these or just one ?(drains and returns)

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15583619#post15583619 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquaman05
2 of each of these or just one ?(drains and returns)

one 1 inch drain can handle 600g. So you can get away with 1. Check out this link.

 

[aquaman05]

So i should be ok to go with a 1" drain at one end of the tank and a 3/4 return line at the other end.

If this is true then i guess i only need to drill 2 holes in the glass

 

[muttley000]

be very careful with the 1" drain. They can only get 600 under perfect conditions. It will get gunked up over time, and 300 gph is a safer more likely estimate. What are you going to do when a snail or something gets stuck in your drain line? I would go for two 1 1/2 drain lines and a 3/4 return if you are going for 500 gph on return flow. This may sound like overkill, but one of your drains will at least partially fail in time, and you won't have water on the floor if you go oversized and redundant! Here is a link to a great read on this. (sorry I don't know if this is how to post an actual link)
Matt

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/SystemPIX/PlumbingPix/Oneinchart.htm

 

[aquaman05]

This sounds like a great point ! I've never heard of anyone going that big on a 75 gallon though.

GUess i could go 2 -1 1/2 drains one at each end and a 3/4 return in the middle and get a eheim 1260 wich is rated i think at 620 or so gph.

Anyone else have a comment on this ?

 

[billdogg]

I would a MINIMUM of 1 x 1.5" drain(s) Anyone who really thinks a 1" drain can SAFELY handle 600gph is taking a huge risk - the flood WILL happen. to go along with the link from wetwebmedia -

Aquarium Bulkhead Tests
Bonus content from the July 2009 FAMA magazine article "Go With the Flow."
By Mike Kirkman and Scott Vallembois (of glassholes.com)

Results:
These results demonstrate that a:
2 inch bulkhead will flow approximately 1350 GPH
1 1/2 inch bulkhead will flow approximately 975 GPH
1 inch bulkhead will flow approximately 350 GPH
3/4 inch bulkhead will flow approximately 165 GPH
Bulkhead Test Data
Bulkhead Size (Inches) Time (Seconds) Flow (gph) Notes
2 133 1353
2 132 1364
2 122 1475 A siphon effect occurred for a portion of the trial
2 133 1353
2 130 1385
2 143 1259 Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run
2 142 1269 Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run
2 139 1295 Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run
2 142 1268 Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run
2 171 1052 Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer
2 169 1065 Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer
2 175 1029 Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer
2 171 1052 Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer
1 1/2 184 978
1 1/2 184 978
1 1/2 187 963
1 1/2 182 989
1 1/2 215 837 Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run
1 1/2 213 845 Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run
1 1/2 215 837 Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run
1 1/2 217 829 Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run
1 1/2 259 695 Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer
1 1/2 245 734 Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer
1 1/2 255 705 Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer
1 1/2 247 729 Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer
1 188 957 A siphon effect occurred for the entire trial
1 535 336
1 489 368
1 371 485 A siphon effect occurred for a portion of the trial
1 475 379
1 500 360
1 515 350
1 562 320
1 567 317
1 564 319
1 557 323
1 1120 159 Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer
1 1051 171 Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer
1 1110 162 Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer
1 1102 163 Plumbed with 5 foot horizontal run & intake strainer
3/4 489 368 A siphon effect occurred for a portion of the trial
3/4 1084 166
3/4 368 489 A siphon effect occurred for the entire trial
3/4 1094 165
3/4 1094 165

 

[aquaman05]

Wow ! Thanks for that post billdogg!

Now im kinda thinking (after reading this) I should go with 2-1/2 drains. Should these be tied together or ran to the sump separate ?

So after this would a 3/4 return line be ok on this setup?

thanks
Aqua

 

[billdogg]

a 3/4 or 1" return is fine - if possible, just match the return size of the pump you are using. BTW - a 1260 or 1262 would be great - they are pretty much the best on the market IMO. You can easily use 1 x 1.5" and have room to spare - that being said - my 150 uses 2 x 2" and 2 x 1" drains - all returns are over the top.

As for the bit(s) and bulkheads - there is NO better place than www.glass-holes.com - best prices and GRAET customer service

 

[aquaman05]

Ok thanks billdogg

Looks like i need to drill just 1 x 1 1/2 hole then ?

I thought it was better to drill the return line ? how do you like yours over the top ?

Sorry for all the questions but i have one more
BUlkheads when they say slip by thread, which side is the threaded side? I was kinda wanting to thread a male adapter in the back going to the sump.

thanks