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Eb0la11 · #1 05-25-2009, 07:26 PM

How much would like a 2 inch bit cost? I really want to get it drilled but it sounds like none of the glass shops around here drilled assembled tanks, only a pain of glass that will eventually make up a tank. Anyone with experience willing to help me out one way or another? Either I could rent their bit or they could drill it for me? I'm not sure if 2 inch is the diameter I'm ultimately going to go with just yet though.

Blom · #2 05-25-2009, 08:32 PM

I actually had my tank dilled at Red Coral here in Calgary, and they did a fantastic job quickly

. That being said I would do it myself next time. I based it off cost when I did mine, two holes were 40 bucks while buying a diamond encrusted hole saw was somewhere around $60-80. Cheapest I found was on eBay and im way to impatient to wait for shipping. As for the hole size that is going to depend on the bulkhead. And the bulkhead is going to depend on the size of your drains and returns. I just drilled for my drains which are 1 1/2 inch but Im not sure what diam hole that bulkhead would require. Ill see if I can dig it up somewhere on the net (EDIT: 1 1/2" bulkhead requires a 2 3/8" hole, found on reefland.com), Im sure many people on canreef would know as well.

xtreme · #3 05-25-2009, 08:58 PM

I've gotten a couple bits from mops.ca. The price is good and they will do the job for a few holes.

Eb0la11 · #4 05-25-2009, 09:45 PM

Hmm, red coral hey? They might just be the winners as I havent found anyone else really that is willing to do it. I am not that scared of doing it myself at all, I think I'd just give it the time and presence of mind required so that I didnt crack the tank. Very slow would get the job done safely. Im not positive but I think my glass is either 5/8 or 3/4 inch thick so it's pretty sturdy. I'll have to give them a call in the next little bit and plan this out once I can figure out the hole size I need.

Eb0la11 · #5 05-25-2009, 11:18 PM

Where are you guys buying bulk heads from? I went to HD and they didnt have any that I could find in the plumbing dept. Is there different kinds that have female parts on both ends so I can attach a filter head to the drain inside the tank and then pvc on the other side? The ones I have at my house (which I dont think I'll be using) have a female side and then another side that is nothing, basically an open smooth hole. Ideas for what I described above as this is likely what I'll be going with.

I think my drains will require 1.5" inside diameter pvc and my return will require 1" inside diameter.

I'll likely have two drains in the upper corners and then two returns in the 2/5 and 3/5 spacings at the top of the tank.

___D________R________R________D___ D= drain and R= Return

Hope that makes sense.

fishytime · #6 05-25-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eb0la11

Where are you guys buying bulk heads from? I went to HD and they didnt have any that I could find in the plumbing dept. Is there different kinds that have female parts on both ends so I can attach a filter head to the drain inside the tank and then pvc on the other side? The ones I have at my house (which I dont think I'll be using) have a female side and then another side that is nothing, basically an open smooth hole. Ideas for what I described above as this is likely what I'll be going with.

I think my drains will require 1.5" inside diameter pvc and my return will require 1" inside diameter.

I'll likely have two drains in the upper corners and then two returns in the 2/5 and 3/5 spacings at the top of the tank.

___D________R________R________D___ D= drain and R= Return

Hope that makes sense.

You-hoo....over here....Red Coral again...we have bulkheads.

Eb0la11 · #7 05-25-2009, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishytime

You-hoo....over here....Red Coral again...we have bulkheads.

Fishytime, what kind of a deal can you get me for 4 holes and 4 bulkhead fittings?

I live in the south east, driving up there... gotta be worth my while lol.

Blom · #8 05-25-2009, 11:45 PM

Both of my bulkheads were from red coral, other aquarium shops or a hot tub supply store maybe. Not sure. As for attaching a filter head just use pvc fittings. If I'm understanding you right you could just use a length of 1 1/2 pvc pipe to a threaded fitting which you could attach the filter head. And yes bulkheads come with threaded ends as well if you wanted to purchase new ones. What I would recommend is to go through some of the tank build journals on this site to see how others have gone about their builds. Useful tips and tricks, it alleviated many of my issues. the 1 1/2 inch drains are good, have you looked into a herbie style overflow (search this forum). the return lines will depend on your return pump. If you have a pump that has 3/4 inch output I would recommend running that the majority of the distance if not the whole way.