Too many holes?

Ratpack · 02-22-2008, 03:27 PM

I just wanted to get some opinions on my closed loop plan. The tank is a 75g and I plan to drill it as follows. The larger 3 holes are 2 5/8" for 1 1/2" sch 80 bulkheads and the 4 smaller holes are 1 7/8" for 1" sch 80 bulkheads. The larger center hole is for the overflow that will be placed in the tank. The other two large holes are for the closed loop intake and the 4 smaller ones are for the closed loop outlets. And honestly, my main concern is, too many holes for the glass? The glass appears to be 1/4" thick which I assume is standard on that size tank. What do you think?

Oh and the red lines are spaced 3" except for the space between the first one and second one from the top. Dimension wasn't a multiple of 3.

BigAl07 · 02-22-2008, 03:33 PM

I don't know about the # of holes but 1/4" sounds awfully small. Are you sure? My 90g (which isn't much bigger is much thicker than that.

Ratpack · 02-22-2008, 03:49 PM

Yep, 1/4". Looks very thick when just looking at it, but when you hold a ruler up to the edge, it is 1/4". Put one to the 90 and see what it measures, I bet it is not as much bigger as you think. I can remember measuring the glass on 120's and they were 3/8". I think when you get above 24" high and longer than 48", then you get into the 1/2" glass.

BigAl07 · 02-22-2008, 03:53 PM

I just called and he said it's 1/2" maybe 3/8" but he thought was 1/2"

When I get home I'll measure

Ratpack · 02-22-2008, 03:58 PM

That's right, your's was done by Glass Cages. They may actually use thicker glass. 3/8" would be fairly normal for a 90 since it is a higher tank.

BigAl07 · 02-22-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratpack

That's right, your's was done by Glass Cages. They may actually use thicker glass. 3/8" would be fairly normal for a 90 since it is a higher tank.

Sshhh don't say that out loud! *LOL* Yeah it's a GC tank (my first and only one from them).

BigAl07 · 02-22-2008, 04:03 PM

Honestly I think your worries may be well justified. That is a LOT of holes all acros the back pane of glass.

Ratpack · 02-22-2008, 04:22 PM

Well, let me put this out there for thought as well. The closed loop pump has an inlet of 1 1/2". Originally I was going to use 2 holes to feed it in case one got blocked. But what if I drill one hole, then put a "T" on it thus creating two inlets? The original two holes would join via a "T" anyway, just now it is in the tank instead of outside. That would eliminate one of the larger holes. And as I think, another option on this would be since my overflow runs to the bottom of the tank, yet I only need the upper portion where the drain hole will be, I could section off the bottom part to create two chambers. The top for the sump drain and the bottom for the closed loop intake. Then just drill two large holes in the sides of the overflow for water to enter, guarded by gutter guard or similar so critters couldn't get in there, thus it just becomes a large strainer.

Two of the smaller holes were a hope more than a need so they can go. Now I am down to 2 large holes and 2 small holes.

How does that all sound?

Scouter Steve · 02-22-2008, 04:49 PM

I am a bit confused! Drill a hole in your overflw? Inside the tank down low? Not a good idea, no more surface skim and with a power outage much more water to mop up!

Aqua Pro · 02-22-2008, 05:24 PM

If you are going barebottom and will use starboard on the bottom, have you considered a network of PVC and plumb to one bigger hole? That is do the plumbing mostly in the tank rather outside the tank.

Jason25 · 02-22-2008, 06:41 PM

I would be worried about putting that many holes of that size into 1/4" glass but that's me and I tend to be cautious when it has to do with massive amounts of water with the potential of spilling into my living room,lol.

Triggerjay · 02-23-2008, 01:45 AM

Too many holes? lol.... funny..

Jason

Ratpack · 02-23-2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aqua Pro

If you are going barebottom and will use starboard on the bottom, have you considered a network of PVC and plumb to one bigger hole? That is do the plumbing mostly in the tank rather outside the tank.

Do you have any examples? I do plan to go bare bottom and I already have the starboard.

I think I can get it to 4 holes. One for the overflow, one for the closed loop inlet (using a T to give two openings), and two for the outlets for keeping the bottom clean. The sump returns and top closed loop outlets can be over the back. Surely two 1 1/2" and two 1" holes would be OK since they will be spaced out pretty good.

FateX8 · 02-23-2008, 07:09 PM

hmmmm...i hope thats not too many holes! lol i already have 7 holes in my 40br that im setting up
2 1.5" bulkheads and 5 1" bulkheads already drilled
i guess we'll just see what happens

Ratpack · 02-23-2008, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FateX8

hmmmm...i hope thats not too many holes! lol i already have 7 holes in my 40br that im setting up
2 1.5" bulkheads and 5 1" bulkheads already drilled
i guess we'll just see what happens

Wow, you got any photos of that?

02-22-2008, 03:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ratpack Midas Blenny Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 115 View Gallery Karma Komment	Too many holes? I just wanted to get some opinions on my closed loop plan. The tank is a 75g and I plan to drill it as follows. The larger 3 holes are 2 5/8" for 1 1/2" sch 80 bulkheads and the 4 smaller holes are 1 7/8" for 1" sch 80 bulkheads. The larger center hole is for the overflow that will be placed in the tank. The other two large holes are for the closed loop intake and the 4 smaller ones are for the closed loop outlets. And honestly, my main concern is, too many holes for the glass? The glass appears to be 1/4" thick which I assume is standard on that size tank. What do you think? Oh and the red lines are spaced 3" except for the space between the first one and second one from the top. Dimension wasn't a multiple of 3. __________________ Tim

02-22-2008, 03:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 10,340 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Too many holes? I don't know about the # of holes but 1/4" sounds awfully small. Are you sure? My 90g (which isn't much bigger is much thicker than that. __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

02-22-2008, 03:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ratpack Midas Blenny Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 115 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Too many holes? Yep, 1/4". Looks very thick when just looking at it, but when you hold a ruler up to the edge, it is 1/4". Put one to the 90 and see what it measures, I bet it is not as much bigger as you think. I can remember measuring the glass on 120's and they were 3/8". I think when you get above 24" high and longer than 48", then you get into the 1/2" glass. __________________ Tim

02-22-2008, 03:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 10,340 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Too many holes? I just called and he said it's 1/2" maybe 3/8" but he thought was 1/2" When I get home I'll measure __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

02-22-2008, 03:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ratpack Midas Blenny Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 115 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Too many holes? That's right, your's was done by Glass Cages. They may actually use thicker glass. 3/8" would be fairly normal for a 90 since it is a higher tank. __________________ Tim

02-22-2008, 04:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 10,340 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Too many holes? Honestly I think your worries may be well justified. That is a LOT of holes all acros the back pane of glass. __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

02-22-2008, 04:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ratpack Midas Blenny Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 115 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Too many holes? Well, let me put this out there for thought as well. The closed loop pump has an inlet of 1 1/2". Originally I was going to use 2 holes to feed it in case one got blocked. But what if I drill one hole, then put a "T" on it thus creating two inlets? The original two holes would join via a "T" anyway, just now it is in the tank instead of outside. That would eliminate one of the larger holes. And as I think, another option on this would be since my overflow runs to the bottom of the tank, yet I only need the upper portion where the drain hole will be, I could section off the bottom part to create two chambers. The top for the sump drain and the bottom for the closed loop intake. Then just drill two large holes in the sides of the overflow for water to enter, guarded by gutter guard or similar so critters couldn't get in there, thus it just becomes a large strainer. Two of the smaller holes were a hope more than a need so they can go. Now I am down to 2 large holes and 2 small holes. How does that all sound? __________________ Tim

02-22-2008, 04:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
Scouter Steve Neon dottyback Join Date: May 2006 Location: Somers Wisconsin (Kenosha County) Posts: 678 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Too many holes? I am a bit confused! Drill a hole in your overflw? Inside the tank down low? Not a good idea, no more surface skim and with a power outage much more water to mop up!

02-22-2008, 05:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
Aqua Pro Bryozoan Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NY Posts: 41 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Too many holes? If you are going barebottom and will use starboard on the bottom, have you considered a network of PVC and plumb to one bigger hole? That is do the plumbing mostly in the tank rather outside the tank. __________________ I am sure LED will be the next generation of lighting for aquarium! My Custom LED and Acrylics Tank Works

02-22-2008, 06:41 PM	#11 (permalink)
Jason25 Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lancaster,PA Posts: 981 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Too many holes? I would be worried about putting that many holes of that size into 1/4" glass but that's me and I tend to be cautious when it has to do with massive amounts of water with the potential of spilling into my living room,lol.

02-23-2008, 01:45 AM	#12 (permalink)
Triggerjay Acropora Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Springfield MO Posts: 1,849 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Too many holes? Too many holes? lol.... funny.. Jason __________________ Clownfish, Clownfish, Breed all about it!

02-23-2008, 07:09 PM	#14 (permalink)
FateX8 Star Polyps Join Date: May 2004 Location: VA Posts: 153 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Too many holes? hmmmm...i hope thats not too many holes! lol i already have 7 holes in my 40br that im setting up 2 1.5" bulkheads and 5 1" bulkheads already drilled i guess we'll just see what happens

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