Too many close loops holes on a large tank, do bulkheads fail?

[kmu]

Hi there,

Im about to buy a used reef tank that has 6 holes for a closed loop, two 3-1/4" drains and four 1-7/8" returns in the bottom panel of a 3/4" acrylic tank.

Im just afraid of too many holes on the bottom of a large 240g tank.

Is it safe to run so many bulkheads? do they fail?

I just dont see my self tearing down a 240g tank because of a small leak(drip) that sprung out of a bulkhead...

what do you guys do?

 

[dzfish17]

I saw the same thread in another section and I think the advice from the post that said using pieces of acrylic with silicone is the way to go. I would consider this method at least on the large holes.

Dave

 

[kmu]

Yeah that was my thread, but thats if I decide not to run the closed loop, I would rather have the bulkheads installed and not use them but Im afraid they might leak or just asking for potential failure in the future.

What I was thinking is to try it first with out the close loop and just use in tank powerheads (got vortechs and koralias) first for flow, then maybe install 1 of the close loop pumps if necessary.

The tank has 2 close loop systems in the bottom panel, each one has a dart pump and a single 3-1/4" drain with dual 1-7/8" returns.

What I was thinking is maybe use 2 vortechs MP40s on the rear wall and then start adding flow if necessary

Its on a 48x48x24 cube tank

 

[JRaquatics]

Cheap bulk heads are hit or miss but I have never had a schedule 80 bulkhead leak if matched up with the correct size hole.

 

[kmu]

Cheap bulk heads are hit or miss but I have never had a schedule 80 bulkhead leak if matched up with the correct size hole.

with 4 year old sch 80 buklheads (plumbing) which 2 of those years have been disassembled (stored) would it be wise to get new gaskets? where could I get them?

 

[heisenberg]

with 4 year old sch 80 buklheads (plumbing) which 2 of those years have been disassembled (stored) would it be wise to get new gaskets? where could I get them?

It definitely can't hurt- for what they cost I'd imagine this is a no-brainer.

Call your local hardware store and ask for the plumbing department.

 

[dave.m]

From what I have read, some people get rid of the gaskets soonest and just use silicone instead. Haven't tried it myself so can't verify that this is good or bad.

djm

 

[JRaquatics]

The problem with silicone is that if it happens to leak it is next to impossible to seal. I would stick with the sch 80 gaskets. If the ones you have are in good shape use them. If stored correctly they should be as good as new.

 

[Mr. Brooks]

I would use sheets of acrylic with weld on or bulkheads. I would NOT use silicone.

 

[khaosinc]

You will regret using silicone w/ acrylic... its a PITA and doesn't work.

Weld on 16 however does work quite well if used instead of a gasket. No idea what I will do if I ever break the bulkhead though.

I've patched up 2 of my tanks that had closed loops w/ weld on 3 and 16 just by cutting out squares and glueing them over the holes. Both tanks (300 and 250) are up and running fine..

 

[dave.m]

Sorry, I meant use silicone as gasket material and not cover the holes. That is, if you want to keep the bulkhead in. From what I've read, the gaskets that come with the bulkheads don't last in salt water. But I haven't tried this myself.

Dave.M

 

[Mr. Brooks]

The gaskets work just fine by themselves. No silicone needed.