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

Ok, I've been reading along and there's a lot of good info here.
Here's my plan, tell me if it looks ok.

Savko SCH80 1" bulkheads call for 2" holes = 50.8mm
* Do I go with Lau 50mm or 53mm hole saw? I am leaning towards 53mm.

Savko SCH80 2" bulheads call for 3.25" holes = 82.55mm
* I am planning on Lau's 85mm hole saw.

I might go with a low profile Spa Drain fitting made by ITT (pretty nifty fitting) and it calls for a 2.875" hole = 73.02mm
* I am planning on Lau's 75mm hole saw.

I plan on running 2 closed loops on my 8ft 240G GlassCages tank. The glass is 1/2" thick. I am going to drill for 2 Sequence Dart intakes on the back wall of the tank and drill 6 1 inch returns on the bottom of the tank (3 returns per 4ft section of the tank).

Any thoughts?

On a side note: Maybe we can come up with some kind of "bulkhead manufacturer hole size" versus "Lau hole size" matrix that others can use as a reliable reference?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9363914#post9363914 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fishel
Ok, I've been reading along and there's a lot of good info here.
Here's my plan, tell me if it looks ok.

Savko SCH80 1" bulkheads call for 2" holes = 50.8mm
* Do I go with Lau 50mm or 53mm hole saw? I am leaning towards 53mm.

Savko SCH80 2" bulheads call for 3.25" holes = 82.55mm
* I am planning on Lau's 85mm hole saw.

I might go with a low profile Spa Drain fitting made by ITT (pretty nifty fitting) and it calls for a 2.875" hole = 73.02mm
* I am planning on Lau's 75mm hole saw.

I plan on running 2 closed loops on my 8ft 240G GlassCages tank. The glass is 1/2" thick. I am going to drill for 2 Sequence Dart intakes on the back wall of the tank and drill 6 1 inch returns on the bottom of the tank (3 returns per 4ft section of the tank).

Any thoughts?

On a side note: Maybe we can come up with some kind of "bulkhead manufacturer hole size" versus "Lau hole size" matrix that others can use as a reliable reference?
Click to expand...
Savko's sch80 1" bulkheads call for a 1-7/8" hole NOT 2". So, use the 48mm hole saw.

I personally am going to order the smaller size and bore it out if necessary. Like JustOneMoreTank said, it's always easier to make a hole bigger than to make it smaller. :)
 
I don't think that is correct.

I am looking at Savko's site now.

Schedule 80 Bulkhead
PVC Bulkhead (T*T)
104010 - 1" (2" hole)
 
In case anyone else is interested I found these online with the help of another member here in these forums.

I was looking for a low profile\large surface area drain for my 2 closed loop intakes. And it had to be aesthetically pleasing to look at.

I found a 2 inch Spa Drain fitting that fits the bill perfectly for Sequence Darts' 2" intake.

http://www.uspartscenter.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=48

Hit the drop down and you can choose:

10-6201
or
10-6204 (* extended bulkhead threaded length = 2.25" versus 1.45 for the 6201 above)

Pick your color.

Here is a pdf with the specifications of the fitting:
http://www.hydroairusa.com/pdfSearch/55.pdf

Round Drain Cover = 1.54" thick (this is very slim)
Round Drain Cover = 6" diameter (large surface area to reduce
the possibility of fish being sucked against it.

2.25" threaded length on the bulkhead for the 10-6204 assemby
1.45" threaded length on the bulkhead for the 10-6201 assembly

Both assemblies are 2" slip fittings

* I also asked if a 75mm sized hole will work with the fitting (as cheap 75mm diamond hole saws are readily available from lau*** on ebay). The assembly actually calls for a 2 7/8 inch hole = 73.02mm. He said it would work.

I ordered the Black extended fitting. I'll post when it comes in and take some pics etc.
 
Last edited:
any of you that bought from Lau on ebay.. how long did it take him to respond to your purchase? was it immediate? a few days? i bought 5 diamond hole saws on the 1st of march (couple days ago) from him and paid that same day... i have not heard back yet?

i sent him a mesage, no response.....
 
I think I got mine within a week or so. I can't remember how long it took him to acknowledge via e-mail. I gave him a lot of slack since he is basically on the other side of the world. I've ordered from him a few times and never had any problems.
 
same results here, 2 purchases, 3-4 days for email replies to email, 5-7 business days delivery (from my payment date)
 
little off the topic of drilling, but a good bump for a good topic. I'm going to be drilling some holes for the first time on two 30 gallon breeders. I noticed that the original poster siliconed his bulkheads. I've never done this before, but am interested in the idea. My question is do you leave the rubber gasket against the tank and bulkhead in? or do you just silicone the plastic bulkhead against the glass?
 
Here's one more thumbs up for the seller "lau" on ebay. He's in Hong Kong, but the holesaw was extremely affordable and it only took about a week to get to me.
 
Agreed... I used the 65 for 1.5 schedule 80 bulkheads....
worked like a charm.. didn't take long and was pretty easy to do..
I took a picture after the first hole... I drained the tank about 8 inches an drilled with everything still going.. ... easy as pie.. no leaks... it's been done for awhile now.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9513372#post9513372 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by donald altman
Agreed... I used the 65 for 1.5 schedule 80 bulkheads....
worked like a charm.. didn't take long and was pretty easy to do..
I took a picture after the first hole... I drained the tank about 8 inches an drilled with everything still going.. ... easy as pie.. no leaks... it's been done for awhile now.
Click to expand...

Don,

where did you get your sch80 bheads? I am thinking I will drain the tank about that far and drill as well w/ everything still in it! :)

I think JOMT is going to help, it's reassuring to hear of others doing it successfully!

thanks,

Matt
 
i got a 90g AGA RR tank that i want to drill,two 1" intake and two 3/4 return for a CL,does any one know if the back is tamper?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9593126#post9593126 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by marshman
i got a 90g AGA RR tank that i want to drill,two 1" intake and two 3/4 return for a CL,does any one know if the back is tamper?
Click to expand...

Marsh, I doubt it, but just to be safe give AGA a call. I asked them about my 65g AGA RR, and they said only the bottom was tempered.

hth,

Matt
 
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