Step-by-Step: Drilling Holes in Your Glass Tank for Bulkheads

[frank10]

Can anyone suggest a possible manufacturer for this tank? There is no model# listed on it. My guess is that the anchor symbol is specific to this manufacturer.

To me, it looks like an AGA with oak trim. If that's the case, then it would only have the bottom pane tempered.

 

[doody]

I think the anchor symbol belongs to Perfecto.

 

[speakeraddict]

Yep, perfecto. I was told by their customer service that they have only ever tempered the bottom...it is safe to drill the sides.

I would still do it at your own risk though.

speakeraddict

 

[frank10]

I checked perfecto's website and it has the same anchor logo.

Thanks for the heads up.

Wish me luck in my drilling!

I still need to figure out where to put the holes.

 

[Superorb]

gl!!

 

[10" Red Devil]

Okay I want to drill my Koralin 20 Long glass tank.

I have a 6v Ryobi cordless drill. Will that work?

I was thinking of doing a 1" bulkhead since I only have a 295gph pump at zero head pressure. I will not have a surface skimmer basically the bulkhead w/ strainer will be my surface skimmer, plumbing will most likely be like the External Durso pictured here:
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=69372&hl=

I will most likely buy the bulkhead from here:

http://www.savko.com/PartList.asp?pgid=6&ptid=23

So I am thinking of buying the bit from here:

http://www.richontools.com

The tank right now has a 1200gph external overflow, I know a bit of overkill, but this is because I was doing a closed loop with a SCWD and a 1100gph pump. I have since changed the design to have 2 SEIO 620s for my flow. Tank is SPS only.

Which bulkhead will I need? I dont understand the codes S*T and T*T.

Thanks.

 

[duhfactor]

Just FYI,
Carol Sikes at oceanic e-mailed me telling me that their line of tanks all use tempered bottoms, but none of the other panes are tempered, and it's o.k. to drill---but voids the warranty unless done by their "customs" dept. We pretty much expect that this voids a warranty any way.....wouldn't you think?

 

[Spuds725]

S= slip
T= threaded

They are referring to how you can plumb up to them-- regarding the S*T-- I'm not sure which would be on the "inside" of the bulkhead-- although it really doesn't matter much as some people have installed them either way without leaks--- the proper way is to have the flange/gasket part on the inside of the tank.

 

[10" Red Devil]

How bout the other stuff in my thread, does my plan sound okay. Will I be able to use that drill. I gotta know before I order the bulkhead.

Thanks.

 

[Spuds725]

Some people have used the ones sold by Richon-- there were some posts a few pages back that didn't care for his bits and bought off Lau on ebay instead...

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=6211657#post6211657

regarding that setup---

No overflow box around the bulkhead??? -- your tank might be unsightly with a water lever below the rim if this is feeding a sump... if for a closed loop then not an issue-- you could use a few elbows to get the water level higher.

Other then that I think its ok at that amount of flow with that size.

 

[frank10]

Is it easier to use a SLIP or threaded bulkhead fittings?

also, is it advisable to have a hole near the bottom of the tank? Maybe that could be used for draining the tank.

 

[DerekW]

I always use threaded so that i can change the setup around later if I need, easier than cutting off pipe and using an adaptor later to reattach

 

[doody]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6392187#post6392187 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DerekW
I always use threaded so that i can change the setup around later if I need, easier than cutting off pipe and using an adaptor later to reattach

Good point

 

[Superorb]

i wouldnt recommend richon tools unless they changed the design of their bits. ALL mine were wobbly. 1 out of like 12 were useable, even AFTER he sent me 2 replacements. Guess he didn't check them before he sent them. One was horrible and the other was the useable one.

 

[JustOneMoreTank]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6394141#post6394141 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Superorb
i wouldnt recommend richon tools unless they changed the design of their bits. ALL mine were wobbly. 1 out of like 12 were useable, even AFTER he sent me 2 replacements. Guess he didn't check them before he sent them. One was horrible and the other was the useable one.

I have received very good bits from both Richon Tools and Lau from Hong Kong off of Ebay. Both seem to have excellent prices and quick shipping.
Sorry that you did not have as good of an experience Superorb.

 

[speakeraddict]

I just used my new ones I got in on Friday. They work flawlessly. I drilled 3 holes for 1" bulkhead fittings in 3/8" glass in less than 15 minutes. I will never go back to the dremel method. I would imagine that I can get at least 6 or 8 holes out of each bit. A bargain for sure.

speakeraddict

 

[10" Red Devil]

Is there anyway to get these bits from a local place like homedepot or the like?

Thanks!

 

[10" Red Devil]

Is there anyway I can buy the bulkhead from someplace other then this place with their shipping it comes out to about what the lfs charges and I only need a 1" lightweight bulkhead. About $15 with shipping. The shipping is more then the bulkhead, ***!

http://www.savko.com/ViewCart.asp

Thanks.

 

[dwall174]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6365314#post6365314 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jrcastro
Anyway to tell if a glass pane is tempered??

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6368276#post6368276 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Superorb
Call the manufacturer. There's no way to tell just by looking at it.

Well there are a couple of ways to tell, Check out this Article the last paragraph explains how to use polarized sun glasses like fisherman use to see past the surface of the water. If its tempered you should see small circle marks in the glass. Just look at a rear car window with a pair of polarized sun glasses & youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ll see what theyââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢re talking about!

 

[dwall174]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6402041#post6402041 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 10" Red Devil
Is there anyway I can buy the bulkhead from someplace other then this place

If you have a marina near you they may have them! The same bulkheads we use for our tanks are used for the live wells on fishing boats. Also check with pool & spa suppliers they may also have some.