Oceanic Reef Ready...Bulkhead Hole Size Problem?? Something awry with this resp.   8/3/06
I ordered a 215G oceanic reef ready aquarium, which was delivered  about a week ago.  I was just starting to put things together when I  noticed that both
the drain and return holes were drilled at 1 3/4" one each of  the two overflows.   From the overflow kits provided, it seems to  me as though the return
hole should have been drilled smaller, as the  bulkhead for the return line is only 3/4" compared to the 1" drain  bulkhead.  I did not order any custom drilling on this  tank.  Do you think a mistake was made here, or would it be reasonable to place a 3/4" bulkhead into a 1 3/4" hole?  If this was a  mistake, is there any problems, such as noise issues, with using a return  line the same size as the drain line?  I'd appreciate any available advice  and suggestions, I'm really at a loss here.   
<Kevin, I suggest you contact Oceanic on your question, being a warranty is involved here.  You may have a problem, as most 3/4 in bulkhead fittings
require a 1 7/16 to 1 1/2" hole in the tank. <<? RMF... usually 1" O.D.>> I'd see what their reasoning was in this regard.  James (Salty Dog)>
Kevin  

Re:  Oceanic Reef Ready...Bulkhead Hole Size Problem??   8/4/06
Hey James-
<Kevin>
Thanks for your reply.
<More than welcome.>
I did contact Oceanic after having sent this question to WWM.  There response was that on the larger aquariums, they drill 1 3/4" holes for both the drain and returns.   I guess I need to take their word for it, how can I say they don't?
<Agreed.>
But I'm not comfortable fitting the 3/4" bulkhead, supplied in there <their> overflow kit, into a 1 3/4" hole, even though it may work if it were fitted precisely.
<Have you asked them about this?>
Do you see anything wrong with using 1" bulkheads for both the drain and the return, and then reducing the drainpipe down to 3/4" for the return after the bulkhead (within the overflow), so I can still use the supplied 3/4" end fittings for dispersing the water back to the tank?
No problem here, very common practice in this regard.>
Oceanic told me this would work out fine, but then, I would imagine that they don't want to have this tank returned!   Would this cause me any potential problems that come to mind?    
<No, just use the larger bulkhead and reduce as you mentioned.  I erred in mentioning the 3/4 bulkhead would require a 1 7/16 minimum hole size.  I believe, although it was not mentioned, that this bulkhead was a schedule 80 unit with a much thicker wall.>
Thanks,
<You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)>
Kevin

Re: Bulkhead fitting   8/4/06
Bob,
Checked several sites on this.  Here is one example.
   3/4" Dbl Threaded Bulkhead (Rainbow)
You Pay: $ 4.29
In Stock: Yes *
Item Number: RL0183
This bulkhead requires a 1 7/16" - 1 1/2" diameter hole.
<... very strange James... I/we sold and installed thousands of these... of PVC and CPVC construction... they will fit a 1 1/4" hole... and not much larger... Perhaps you're thinking of a schedule 80 (for whatever reason someone would pay for such... rated fro 800 PSI...) fitting? A bit "thicker" in the throat>
For proper seal, the gasket must go between bulkhead flange and tank wall.
<Best to use two gaskets... one in, one out... both with a light smear of 100% Silastic on both sides... BobF>
Regards,
James

Re: Bulkhead fitting   8/4/06
Thanks, Bob
Could very well have been 80, but didn't search for such. Would you have a link to a distributor handling schedule 40 PVC/CPVC?
Thanks,
James
<Is what most everyone handles... Made by Spears, Dura... sold by All Seas,
likely Marine Depot... BobF>

Hole, bulkhead size
Hi I just got a 2inch hole drilled in my 135 gallon tank. what size of bulkhead would fit in here. I have a 1 1/2 inch but it doesn't fit. The base on that bulkhead in 2 1/2inches. Can you get a 1 1/2 inch bulkheads with a 2 inch base? hope this makes sense
Tristan
<Yes to the last statement. Look around... there are "thinner" outside diameter bulkheads (the ones for spas/Jacuzzis for instance) that have 1 1/2" inside diameter and less than 2" outside diameter. Spears makes these... and a few places (try MarineDepot.com) offer them for sale online. Bob Fenner>

Stand integrity, Hole cut-outs around and tightening of bulkheads 7/23/05
Hi guys, and thanks for all of the great advice so far.
<Hi Randy, Ali here>
I am ready to cut the top of my diy tank stand to accommodate the bulkheads from my tank.  I have some questions about how much room I'll need around the bulkheads.  Here is a picture of the bulkhead nuts sitting on top of the stand http://home.cfl.rr.com/homebrewed/fish/180-039.jpg .  The stand top is about 1" of plywood, then there will also be a 3/4" layer of Styrofoam under the tank, so the bulkhead nuts will be stuck way up inside the part I cut out.  Can you picture what I'm talking about?
<I think so...>
I was planning to start with at least 1" of clearance around the bulkhead nuts.
<1 or 2" of clearance would be fine, I doubt cutting the top of the stand to create a 2" of clearance would hurt the integrity of the stand. Additionally, it sounds as if you have a frameless (Lee-Mar style) tank, if this is the case then as long as the tank is fully supported on the corners, then the bulkhead cut-outs won't matter as much, go ahead and start cutting :) >  
But do I need to get some type of tool on the nuts to tighten them down?  I don't think I'll be able to hand tighten them very easily since they'll be surrounded by plywood.
<No tools necessary, good ol' fashion hand-tightening them would be fine. Even if it's just using the tips of your fingers to tighten them, drink some Gatorade and flex your muscles - YOU CAN DO IT!>
Just make sure the I don't want to cut out any more material than required, since I'm concerned about the tank top bowing in the area around the cutout.
<As long as the tank is properly braced at the top, bowing shouldn't be a real concern>
Thanks!!
Randy
<No prob, good luck Randy. - Ali>