Can I redrill holes on bottom of tank to accomdate larger bulkhead ?

[Steve_Skullsplitter0]

Tank is glass 150g cube by marineland. I dont want to use the cheap bulkhead that came with it. I Want to upsize to 1 1/4" bulkhead 60mm hole. Is it possible to redrill these holes without risking damage to tank ...or should i just use smaller but better schedule 80 bulkhead that fit current holes and will restrict overflow or return head pressure too much.

 

[Dennis McGrath]

I'd take it to someone that does glasswork for a living, but wouldn't risk it on my own. Just my opinion.

 

[George Lopez]

I could had he sworn the bottom is tempered... so no

 

[Steve_Skullsplitter0]

Thanks, that's an option i hadnt considered. Plus i wouldnt have to buy the tools needed.

Any one got an idea if schedule 80 bulkheads would be too restrictive for current hole size. The ones that came with tank are 1 inch abs plastic and feel cheap.

 

[Steve_Skullsplitter0]

It does already have holes in it. How do they drill them at factory? The labels and papers do not say it is tempered. Just that the front is starfire.

 

[Joshky]

It does already have holes in it. How do they drill them at factory? The labels and papers do not say it is tempered. Just that the front is starfire.

Laser cut maybe? I don't know how they do it, but they often used tempered glass in prefab tanks, even with holes.

 

[Steve_Skullsplitter0]

Ok, plus drilling larger hole would most likely void any warranty as well. Correct?

 

[redfishbluefish]

If it's tempered, the holes are first drilled and then the glass is tempered. You can test temper using a pair of polarized sunglasses and a phone/tablet/computer screen. Google will provide details.

Assuming it's not tempered, you can drill larger holes, but highly suggest using a drill guide. Also you want at least a diameters length between holes.

 

[Steve_Skullsplitter0]

Well that's gonna work then, the current holes are barly that far apart now. The space between 2 the 60mm hole sizes would only be 48mm. If that is too weak then I cant do it.

 

[George Lopez]

How much flow are you planning on running btw. You may not need to worry about up sizing.

 

[Steve_Skullsplitter0]

About 700gpm

 

[Dennis McGrath]

700gpm? That's a LOT of flow!

 

[Steve_Skullsplitter0]

That's what the manufacturer stated the suggested flow rate should be for reef tank that size and states the overflow and accompanied stand pipes are rated at.

 

[George Lopez]

You should be able to hit that on the 1 inch just by new bulkheads from brs

 

[Steve_Skullsplitter0]

So you don't think if went to 3/4" schedule 80 bulkhead that it would impact flow rate on either end?

 

[George Lopez]

I push over 1000 gph with my straight shot 3/4" emergency overflow (no turns)

 

[George Lopez]

Drain is your main concern, return has no issues just some head loss but you'll be fine. Test it out first if you aren't sure but you should be good at 750 with a 1"

 

[George Lopez]

Also is your pump a 700gph pump or are you truly going to run 700gph after head loss?

 

[Steve_Skullsplitter0]

Yeah that's the problem the sch 80 1nch is too large for the holes drilled for 1 inch abs bulkhead that came with it. Most posts i read about abs bulk heads say they fail sooner or later.

 

[Steve_Skullsplitter0]

My return pump is DC motor with controller. So i can slow down Flow if that restricts it too much.