Guys, watch your holes...

[MarkS]

... The ones in your tank for bulkheads that is. Not all bulkheads use the same hole size. I did not know this. I had already drilled three holes for 1" bulkheads at 1 3/4" each. I assumed that that size was standard. When I got my bulkheads, the 1" requires a 2" hole. Also, the 1 1/2" requires a 2 1/2" hole instead of the 2 3/8" that I had thought. Fortunatly, I had not drilled the holes for the 1 1/2" bulkheads yet.

Fortunatly, I am building a wooden tank so it was relatively easy to widen the holes. If this had been glass, it would have been a much bigger problem.

Moral: Ask what size the bulkheads require when buying online BEFORE drilling.

Mark

[dsb1829]

Better yet, buy all bulkheads first and get spares.

The bulkheads commonly used for overflows on tanks are larger diameter schedule 80 type material. Most dimansions found online are for the basic injection molded bulkheads like those on cheep sumps etc. They are smaller diameter like the 1.75 and 2.375 hole sizes you mentioned.

Oh, from what I hear it is not so big of a deal to enlarge glass holes as it is to break through on the initial drilling. It takes time and a grinder.

[MarkS]

Yes, how true. The bulkheads that I bought for my 10 gallon were thin ABS plastic. These bulkheads are very heavy, thick and made out of grey PVC. I am very happy with these. They look like they could last through anything. They are very high quality. Also, the gaskets are not thin neoprene. Instead they are 1/4" thick rubber.

I agree about buying them first. I never thought I would need to though. Oh well, live and learn.

Mark

[organicreefer]

hey mark ,where did you order th big grey bulkheads from?i have one like that and it fits the 2" holes i drilled on my refugium.the only bulkheads i can find locally require 13/4 holes,a little too small but it still works.since i need to buy a couple bulkheads anyway,i might as well buy ones that fit.tia

[MarkS]

I bought them at Savko. This was my first order with them but it will not be my last. I was very impressed with their service. They were very promt with replies to e-mails and phone calls. To bad I forgot to ask about the hole sizes...

Mark

[organicreefer]

good one ,thanks mark ill give them a try now i know whee to get 1" bulkheads that require a 2" hole to match the 2"tile hole saw from HD