Return over the top or drill

[Sokretys]

#2 on the bulkheads not leaking when installed correctly. Since you are going rimless and are looking for the more clean sleak appearance of things...id drill, use a flow eductor($20), wye check valve(45), and a few cepex true union check valves...

not exactly the most cost effective way to go about it..but it will look great and work well.

 

[uncleof6]

Check valves? Check valves? Don't need no stickin check valves....... Don't want um either.....

Jim

 

[JTL]

I agree, no check valves. I have enough to worry about. Like will the tank stay together.

 

[uncleof6]

Well do the glass panels with the overflow extension. That will help hold that end of the tank together. (as well as the quality of your seams)

J

 

[impur]

I'm doing my return thru the external overflow on my build John. There is a thread here with it like that, i think it was an AGE tank.

Keep it nice and simple to keep that rimless look as clean as can be.

 

[JTL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15518245#post15518245 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by uncleof6
Well do the glass panels with the overflow extension. That will help hold that end of the tank together. (as well as the quality of your seams)

J

I like the look but it is going to get covered anyway so it is a waste of $$ in that respect. Also I can put he tank together and still have some options on the OF. I think that would be a REAL deal on a four sided viewing area, but I like the zero edge look also. Big $$$.

 

[JTL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15518989#post15518989 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by impur
I'm doing my return thru the external overflow on my build John. There is a thread here with it like that, i think it was an AGE tank.

Keep it nice and simple to keep that rimless look as clean as can be.

Linkey?

 

[impur]

Been trying to find it!! I'll keep searching.

 

[sgolden]

if your wier is 1 1/2 in below the tank edge, why can't you just come up into the overflow through a bulkhead and have a locline connect to that and have it arch up over the wier ? dont forget the siphon break..try to drill it as close to waterlevel when pumps are off...or you will have a jet of water splashing more than necessary when you turn pump on...

 

[JTL]

After checking checking my space and doing some calculating I think this plan may work. I will have a 23"L x6"H weir. I think I can drill (5) 1 3/4 in holes for 1" bulkheads in the back side. Three holes in the middle will be for the Bean machine. The two outside ones will be for the returns, which I will also need to drill the tank for. The returns can be located 1" or so below the waterline. Lots of bulkheads, seven at last count so more chance of leaks but I can't do much about that. I will use slip fitting on all of the exterior connections.

I have never drilled glass so this should be a real test. I was planning on using 1/4" glass where multiple holes are located but maybe I should go with 3/8". What do you think? The aquarium is 1/2" is that going to be more difficult for me to drill? If it is the glass shop will drill them two holes for $20. I was thinking about getting the bulkheads and hole cutter from Glass Holes. Any better places to get them?

Impur, is this what you are doing?

John

 

[impur]

I'm doing 2 drains and 1 return for a total of 3 holes. My overflow box will be 24"LX6"WX8"D. I think i'll do 1" drains and probably the same for the return just to keep it uniform, the return will come up dead center of the tank with the drains on each side. I planned to use 1/4" glass as well. I've drilled roughly a dozen holes in glass before, using my dremel for a couple and diamond holesaws for the bulk of them. Both methods are pretty simple. Keep the holesaw straight, let the weight of the drill push on the glass, and keep water on it.

The holesaws i've used were the ones off ebay, they do great for 15-20 holes then start to get dull. Bulkheads will be sched 80 just cuz i'm gonna overbuild a bit i guess :rollface:

I've coached people drilling these holes for their first time and never had any problems. I say go for it and save yourself some $$$

 

[JTL]

My next problem is that I may get a contract job out of town for a few months. Money is nice but it screws up my build plans.

 

[impur]

Dang that sucks. Good and bad i guess eh.

I need to get off my rear and decide on what kind of tile i'm going to lay down and do it so i can move onto building the tank.

 

[james3370]

The two outside ones will be for the returns, which I will also need to drill the tank for.

i think it would be better/easier to just get slip/threaded bulkheads for the returns. put the 3/4" loc-line nipple adapter in the bulkhead at the back of the overflow & then snake the loc-line from there over the tank's back wall. of course this would mean using 3/4" bulkheads instead of 1" but you could plumb it 1" to the bulkhead & then reduce right there. much easier than trying to get a bulkhead on the overflow & tank wall in the same place & plumbed in between.....

I was thinking about getting the bulkheads and hole cutter from Glass Holes. Any better places to get them?

they will be your best bet price-wise....orders over $15 ship free postal priority....& you get candy w/ your order