Plumbing Advice Needed

[PDAlber]

I just got an old 150-gallon tank that my neighbor wanted to get out of the garage. The problem is, it has four holes drilled on the bottom. The holes are not located in places that will work for the plumbing that I want to install. What would be the best way to "plug" the holes?

 

[DRThompson]

Assuming this is a glass tank, some glass and silicone over the holes. Would stay away from trying to plug them with a bulkhead.

Why not turn it into a closed loop for circulation

 

[DgenR8]

why not turn it into a closed loop for circulation

+1

 

[Aleiva16]

2 drains 2 returns??

 

[ktg113]

If drilling it I used the four bottom holes for a closed loop and then while drilling the short side for a bean animal return I drilled two holes half way down the tank for a intake for the closed loop

 

[PDAlber]

I'm really not sure what someone was thinking when they drilled the holes in the bottom of this tank. This is basically what it looks like:

The holes at the ends of the tank look like they are for 3/4" bulkheads, while the other two are for 1". I want to keep the plumbing simple, as it will not be a reef setup. I like the idea of a closed loop, but I'm not sure of the best way to proceed.

 

[mrx66699]

Use all 4 for closed loop, keep them all 3/4 inside the tank. I would run all 1in plumbing underneath from your closed loop pump up to where they come in and then just reduce on the 2 3/4 and glue straight in, then on the 2 1in do the same except no reducing needed. Use Slip x Threaded bulkheads, the threads being on the inside of the bulkhead end that will be in the tank. On the two that are 3/4 use the threaded 3/4 lock line and thread it in and direct to where you want the flow. On the 1in cut outs use 1in bulkheads, slip x thread just like the 3/4s and then immediately inside the tank use a thread x thread 1in x 3/4 reducer to reduce them to 3/4 make sure its thread x thread as you want to thread in 3/4 lock line into this. Direct them where you want and call it a day......this is all very simple plumbing 101 and shouldn't take you more than an hour......

 

[ANFPO]

Easiest to plug is with 3/8" thick plate glass and 100% silicone.

Most useful: Use the 1" bulkheads each for the intake of one closed loop pump. Use the 3/4" bulkheads for returns.

Having said that, try using SCH 80 bulkheads. They take a larger diameter holes. So you may need 3/4" intake and 1/2" return if youre gonna use heavy duty bulkheads.

If you post the actual diameter of the holes I could tell you which heavy duty bulkheads will fit.

 

[ANFPO]

Somtehing else to consider, the closed loop pump at 1" or 3/4" intake (depending wether using regular or sch 80 bulkheads) will probably NOT be that energy efficient. But youll have less clutter viewable inside the display tank. But smalle diameter pumps require smaller diameter plubming which is easier to work with and cheaper thatn, say 2" diameter pumps which seem popular for closed loops because they require less energy per GPH pumped.

 

[ktg113]

They were most likely corner over flows I have two overflows that would fit there if you want to use them as intake and return