View Full Version : I drilled my 90
barry_c
10-25-2003, 09:20 PM
well, i finally got the nerve to cut holes for the bulkheads in my 90 gallon. Here's a pic with the two 2" holes for the standpipes cut and me starting the third and fouth holes for the closed loop. i had to stop the closed loop holes because the bit was starting to wear out and i didn't want to push the envelope. the glass was 3/8 or 1/2. with the one bit i cut a 3/4 hole in a 30 gal and two 2" in the 90.
barry_c
10-25-2003, 09:22 PM
here's another close up. i was using the gasket from the 2" bulkhead as a dam to help keep water around the bit.
wow!!! great job barry_c... I have a few tanks I'd love to have drilled... definately gonna be trying this soon.
IJO
supertanker
10-25-2003, 09:46 PM
Patience is a virtue my man! Awesome! There you go we're (well not me yet) making living habitats for dozens of species yet a roadblock for most seems to be how to drill a stupid hole in a pane of glass LMAO! I would have shattered that glass in a 1000 pieces if I tried that LOL
Congrats!
st
zulu_principle
10-26-2003, 01:16 AM
What bit did you use ?
Cost ?
Wendell
barry_c
10-26-2003, 07:13 AM
i used a rotozip bit, cost at home depot was $15.
AndrewNS
10-27-2003, 06:48 AM
Barry
Where did you get the bulkheads from ?
Thanks
Andrew
barry_c
10-27-2003, 06:54 AM
i got them from Northeast Equipment on Kempt Rd. the 2" was $13 and the 3/4 was $7.50. they are a heavy duty plastic, not pvc. on a side note, are you going to the meeting on sunday? if so you should let gail know so she can confirm #s with the guys at dal.
AndrewNS
10-30-2003, 09:21 AM
Barry
How did you start the hole? Did you just use the rotozip bit from start to finish?
Thanks
Andrew
barry_c
10-30-2003, 09:33 AM
yup, i used the dremel on 500 rpm to drill a hole down through the glass. i then turned the rpm up to 3500 and used an up and down motion to slowly cut through the glass. if you'll be at the meeting sunday, i'll explain everything then. if you want, i can even come over and help get you started. Now if you want me to do cut the holes, it'll cost you a case of beer with no gaurantees. if i do break the glass, i'll gladly return the case of beer so you can drink you sorrows away. :p: i didn't have a problem when i cut the holes. It is easier with two people though.
Pluff
10-30-2003, 09:59 AM
Glad it worked out for you.As drilling a tank without a proper bit can be pretty tricky.Good luck with your setup.:beer: :beer:
AndrewNS
10-30-2003, 10:00 AM
Thanks Barry
I'll see ya Sunday. We should remind Gail about the lighting price list too.:D
Andrew
MomRules
10-30-2003, 03:54 PM
It's in my folder, along with the membership list which is almost done. :-)
ABahn
10-31-2003, 06:15 AM
You have nerves of steel my friend!
barry_c
10-31-2003, 06:26 AM
well, when you pay $100 bucks for a used 90 gallon, and it would cost another $120 bucks to have it drilled, i figured i didn't have much to loose. that and i was getting some heat from the better half about spending 120 bucks to drill some holes. total cost to drill the 4 holes - $22 for 2 rotozip bits.
Ok folks, here's what it looks like with the bulk heads (2") and the closed loop (3/4" I think) installed.
Flame*Angel
11-03-2003, 08:46 AM
Way to go Barry, looks like a professional job to me! I sure wish I had bulkheads on the back and my fish room behind the tank. That's got to be the perfect setup.
wow!!! good job barry!!! :thumb:
IJO
AndrewNS
11-18-2003, 01:37 PM
Couple of questions:
What are you doing for stand pipes? If the bulkheads are 2" do the stand pipes have to be the same size?
How big are the overflow boxes? Since there are two bulkheads will two pipes feed into the sump or can the pipes be joined into one?
Do you have an updated pic?
Thanks
Andrew
barry_c
11-18-2003, 02:03 PM
actually, i do have an updated pic. the two standpipes will be 2 inch pvc that go through the bulkhead and then will be 2" hose. i'll have two 2" lines going from the tank to the sump. the overflow boxes will be just big enough to fit the standpipes. since i drilled the holes in the back of the tank, i will have a 90 bed going into the bulkhead. because the overflows are so tight to the standpipes, i don't plan on glueing the PVC standpipe to the bend, so they can be removed ( it won't really matter if it leaks alittle, it goes to the same place) if need be. i have all the pieces for the standpipes and acrylic for the overflows, just haven't built them yet. here's a pic of the new stand which is built into the wall and is 8 feet long (i'm thinking ahead) and the new wall for the fishroom.
TaCtIkZ
11-18-2003, 02:08 PM
Damn that's gonna look sweeet :)
I have my home theatre on one side of a wall, and my office on the other... I've always dreamed of having a tank that will acts as a window between both rooms... something for the future I suppose :)
barry_c
11-18-2003, 02:13 PM
veiw from the front. painting then trim and the front is good, except for the tank and cleanup.
AndrewNS
11-18-2003, 02:18 PM
It looks like you have you lighting ready too. Everything looks great.
I got the new tank (90G), it will be drilled on Friday, and two 50G sumps. What size hole should be drilled for a 2" bulkhead?
I should be caught up be the end of the weeked.
How much beer per hour do you charge for plumbing an wiring?:D
TaCtIkZ
11-18-2003, 02:24 PM
LOL
barry_c
11-18-2003, 02:54 PM
ya, the bulbs and ballasts arrived today. can't wait to get them wired and fired! as for the holes for bulkhead, it depends upon the outside diameter of the bulkhead. i'd buy the bulkhead and take it with you when you go to get it drilled.
as for a beer hourly rate, i'm sure we can work something out.:beer:
Flame*Angel
11-18-2003, 03:10 PM
Wow - I can't believe how much you have done since I was there less than a week ago! It looks great. I'm already envious of your big behind-the-tank fishroom. That's got to be the absolute best way to go.
Nice work Barry!
ReefVan
11-18-2003, 06:52 PM
Nice job Barry! :)
Van :pimpdaddy
AndrewNS
11-20-2003, 06:20 AM
Barry
I picked up the 2" bulkheads. I just wanted to be sure I got the right ones. '2" Black Polypro Bulkhead'. They are black and the inside is threaded. Are the 90 degree elbows that fit on to these threaded?
MomRules
11-20-2003, 07:14 AM
Wow- looks great Barry!!!
Andrew- did you pick up the beer too, or just the plumbing? Don't forget the beer! maybe we should have a "tank raising" party!
Andrew... I wouldn't throw an 90 degree to the end of that bulkhead... add a T fitting instead. This will enable air to pass through the T instead of the bulkhead(you'll get a lot more water flow this way). If you want.. I can take a few pictures of one of mine. (its just like having an external standpipe).
IJO
Ijo - so the T goes on the outside or am I being dense this morning?
Yes and No... hehe it goes on the outside and your not dense :p: I'll take a few pictures this morning for you.
IJO
AndrewNS
11-20-2003, 07:28 AM
IJO - Any and all pictures woud be a great help. The 90 degree elbows I was asking about would be inside the tank.
Gail - A 'tank raising party'. That would be great. Lets see... If everyone brought a pound of sand, a pound of live rock, a softie, one LPS, an SPS, a couple of snails and hermits..... Wow!!!! I would have a great start. Oh, and Steve could bring 200 Gal of water.:D
Andrew - the 90 degree elbows that we bought for inside the tank are threaded. I'm not sure excatly what Barry bought for bulkheads other than that they were black, 2" and threaded on the inside. There is a pic of the tank with the bulkheads installed further up in this thread...don't know if you can tell from that or not.
AndrewNS
11-20-2003, 07:39 AM
Thanks Aven. It sounds like the same ones. I just don't want to mess anything up.
Here's a better pic I think....
AndrewNS
11-20-2003, 07:48 AM
Those are the ones. I have to get 6. Two for the tank overflows. One for a macro algea tank. Two to connect a sump for the heaters/skimmer and a sump for live rock. These are all 2".
I have to connect the return pump to the last sump. The fitting size on the pump is 3/4". Does the bulkhead and pipe to the pump have to be 3/4"? The return line from the pump to the tank is 2".
You should be able to put a reducer from the 2" bulkhead. I think someone here has suggested to drill the holes as large as you can so that you can upgrade at a later date. I think Barry is going to use a submersible pump so that the sump doesn't have to be drilled. Our refugium bulkhead is 3/4" I think.
barry_c
11-20-2003, 08:11 AM
IJO, i'm not quite sure what you mean. is the tee on the outside of the tank? a picture would be great.
Barry... yeah the T is on the outside... its like an external standpipe.... I'll get a few pictures up this morning.
IJO
mouse6196
11-20-2003, 10:44 AM
hahahaha:lol: I agree 100%....but don't get use to it IJO...
:cop:
here it is... sorry took so long.. had a bazzilion(anyone know how many that is?) orders to pack and ship.
IJO
barry_c
11-20-2003, 03:00 PM
hey Andrew, note the location of the bulkheads, ivan has them drilled at the top, where as mine are at the bottom. i think that when you drill the small air intake hole in the top cap, it will do the same thing and be quieter. i won't go this route for the simple fact that i'll have to have twice the amount of pipe (and i've already got mine drilled). that, and if you want to adjust the water level in your overfllows, with ivan's setup you can't, but with the way i have it, i can by adjusting the height of the standpipe.
Very good point Barry... I plan to drill the bottom of the next tanks with the standpipe on the inside. This will enable the tanks to be closer to the wall.
IJO
AndrewNS
11-24-2003, 06:15 AM
Does the gasket for the bulkhead go on the inside of the tank or the outside?
barry_c
11-24-2003, 06:24 AM
goes on the inside of the tank
venkiw
12-05-2003, 10:41 PM
I was at home depot and I asked for a bulkhead and really got wierd looks. So started looking around and found these plumbing fixtures. I couldn't find any in PVC so I got ABS (I hope abs is alright for this purpose). All of these are 1 1/2 inch fixtures.
Here are the pics of the parts I picked up.
http://aquariacanada.com/PhotoPost/data/500/449plumbing_parts-med.jpg?4278
Starting from left, the first piece will go on the inside of the glass, followed by the o - ring (they didn't have any gaskets that size), the second piece with inside thread will go on the outside of the glass, and the last piece (T) will provide the vertical drop need to go to the drain.
Are these parts suitable?, can I use GE Silicone II for sealing the joints? for extra security.
TIA
Venki
Venki... I have some bulkheads(schedule 40) instock.. you can also try PVC plus for schedule 80... I'm not sure if what you have there will work but I wouldn't risk it with a DIY bulkhead... their $10-$15 each. Hope this helps.
IJO
barry_c
12-06-2003, 08:18 AM
Venkiw,
the fittings you have are actually not bulkhead fittings and may or may not do the job. the o-ring gasket you have will deffinetely not give you a good seal. the gaskets that come with a bulkhead are anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 wide and are flat, so as to produce a wide area of contact betweem the glass and the plastic of the bulkhead.
Toooloud
12-06-2003, 03:00 PM
Venki,
go into a Homehard ware, I will post pictures when i get home of what im use.. :) all DIY, You use a 3 inch Rubber washer! and cut it to size, Or they sell Gasget material.. somthing like $3 a foot.. and you can cut to fit your own gaskets.. I also like running gaskets on the inseide and outside of the tank :) Just being me!
Toooloud
12-06-2003, 03:04 PM
venki!..
Also go and pick up some Nylon Plumbers tape.. between that nad the gasket you are set!
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