I want to drill two return bulkheads in my Flex 32. Some basic questions .....

[InstructorMoe]

1) I was thinking 1/2" bulkheads for returns as the outlet on my return pumps is a nipple for 1/2" hose. Does this make sense?

I want them as high as possible because I'm trying to be conscious of back siphon in a power outage and my sump is kind of small (the small tank beside the Flex on the desk is NOT my sump. The sump is below out of frame)

2) Glass appears to be 6-7mm thickness. I need advice on hole placement to not break glass.

Edit to add: My concern is about hole placement relative to the edge of the glass. I don't want break the tank near the return bulkheads. The measurements are in the pictures. I'm looking at drilling a 30MM hole, 30MM from the edge of the glass. Is this too close?

See the images below.... sorry, the red text was much easier to read in the editor I was using. the red text just says "30mm"

 

[Fish Fan]

Just to make sure, did you determine for sure that the glass is not tempered before you try to drill it?

 

[InstructorMoe]

Just to make sure, did you determine for sure that the glass is not tempered before you try to drill it?

Yes, glass is not tempered. In fact, you'll notice the eshopps eclipse S already mounted to the rear glass in the picture. I drilled that about a week ago.

 

[Fish Fan]

Yes, glass is not tempered. In fact, you'll notice the eshopps eclipse S already mounted to the rear glass in the picture. I drilled that about a week ago.

OK, great, just wanted to be sure you were going to break your tank lol!

 

[Dom]

Yes, glass is not tempered. In fact, you'll notice the eshopps eclipse S already mounted to the rear glass in the picture. I drilled that about a week ago.

Double check. Not all panes on a tank are the same.

 

[InstructorMoe]

Double check. Not all panes on a tank are the same.

I'm drilling on the same pane.

 

[Dom]

I'm drilling on the same pane.

Then you're good to go!

 

[InstructorMoe]

Then you're good to go!

Perhaps I'm not being clear.... in retrospec.... my original post doesn't imply that my concern is about hole placement to relative to the edge of the glass.

my bad.....

 

[KrisReef]

The critical parameter is the size of the nuts on the bulkhead fittings. The hole location needs to fit the bulkhead.

 

[InstructorMoe]

The critical parameter is the size of the nuts on the bulkhead fittings. The hole location needs to fit the bulkhead.

So you don't think I have to worry too much about being so close to the edge of the glass for my returns?

What about placement in general relative to the water line?

 

[KrisReef]

So you don't think I have to worry too much about being so close to the edge of the glass for my returns?

What about placement in general relative to the water line?

Does the tank have an overflow weir? That will set the lower end and having the return higher prevents the siphon issue but having the return really high above the overflow (if possible?) will make a lot of splash from the return especially when the tank first turns on.

 

[InstructorMoe]

Does the tank have an overflow weir? That will set the lower end and having the return higher prevents the siphon issue but having the return really high above the overflow (if possible?) will make a lot of splash from the return especially when the tank first turns on.

Yes there is a weir. In the first picture, there is a light blue line. That indicates where I am anticipating the the water level to sit with the pumps running.

So the plan is to drill so that the entire bulkhead sits JUST below the surface. I'll have a few loc-line fittings aiming slightly down with nozzles.

Thant's the plan anyways.

 

[RocketEngineer]

1) I was thinking 1/2" bulkheads for returns as the outlet on my return pumps is a nipple for 1/2" hose. Does this make sense?

I want them as high as possible because I'm trying to be conscious of back siphon in a power outage and my sump is kind of small (the small tank beside the Flex on the desk is NOT my sump. The sump is below out of frame)

2) Glass appears to be 6-7mm thickness. I need advice on hole placement to not break glass.

See the images below....

Regarding hole placement, you want the same diameter of the hole worth of glass between the hole in the end. That means, for a 50mm hole saw, you need at least 50mm of glass remaining between the edge of the glass and the edge of the hole.

 

[InstructorMoe]

Regarding hole placement, you want the same diameter of the hole worth of glass between the hole in the end. That means, for a 50mm hole saw, you need at least 50mm of glass remaining between the edge of the glass and the edge of the hole.

OK.

So I think if I'm using a 30mm hole saw, I should be good with the outer edge of the saw cutting in at 35-40 mm from the edge of the glass pane.

Hopefully.

::nervous laughter::