Holes in the bottom of tank???
- Thread starter ericmcj31
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From what I understand they are doomed to failure eventually as well...
Again...what would be my advice??? Get another tank?? Cap off w/ bulkheads???
If I, personally, were in this situation (and the tank was a gift through a divorce, so they don't have any actual $$$ invested), would you just get another tank? Holes on the bottom scare me!-lol
My closed loop in the bottom of my 180 had check valves and all that crap and still drained 7" of water out of the tank into the floor..
Def. Not a good idea and check valves can fail at anytime..
Won't do that again..
Def. Not a good idea and check valves can fail at anytime..
Won't do that again..
This sort of thing must have been a local trend at some point. I've seen several older tanks with similar configurations.
We did one like this at a client's request, she runs a closed loop on a 200 reef that way, and since it was plumbed correctly, there are no issues, even with a power failure.
The tanks we've encountered with similar "interesting" configs usually end up with the holes capped off... bulkheads and PVC plugs and a LOT of leak testing to make sure the seal is good. There is always going to be some risk of leakage - but with that at worst it's usually a slow leak, so a catastrophic failure is really not usually a concern.
A new tank is the best solution but if that's not a practical one, if you don't plan to install a CLS, then cap 'em.
Jenn
We did one like this at a client's request, she runs a closed loop on a 200 reef that way, and since it was plumbed correctly, there are no issues, even with a power failure.
The tanks we've encountered with similar "interesting" configs usually end up with the holes capped off... bulkheads and PVC plugs and a LOT of leak testing to make sure the seal is good. There is always going to be some risk of leakage - but with that at worst it's usually a slow leak, so a catastrophic failure is really not usually a concern.
A new tank is the best solution but if that's not a practical one, if you don't plan to install a CLS, then cap 'em.
Jenn
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Thank you
Use qaulity bulkheads (schedule 80) and wye check valves( George Fischer) that can be serviced</em> and plumb correctly.I cannot see any more risk from this type of setup than from a rock slide or someone scrapping the silicone out of the corners
I agree, but the OP may not have that option, since sch80 bulkheads us a different hole size than sch40.
In the end, yes, just cap it and move on. Use bulkheads and a pvc fitting to screw inside (or outside, for that matter). Be sure to make everything very tight (I'd do hand tight, then 1/4 turn with wrench), and use teflon tape on the pvc fittings. You should be fine.
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..you still only have 1" holes and cannot use anying more than a 1/2 bulkhead, maybe doable but worthless.
I have a couple of pieces of 1/2 scrap glass laying around if you want.
I have a couple of pieces of 1/2 scrap glass laying around if you want.
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Just a thought, you could use these for water changes. Run some PVC up with holes drilled throughout, put a ball valve and hose adapter on the bottom, and you can just turn the ball valve and drain out a significant amount of water from within the rocks (I was assuming a rock structure would be built around the PVC), and I'm sure that would pull out some detrius as well.
At this point , it seems that there are a few options
1) plug the holes
2) use them for returns - 1 1/8" hole can be used for a 1/2 " bulkhead opening X3 = 1 1/2 " of potential return flow.
3) one of the other crative suggestions - Habitrail for fish , water change drain etc
4) or you could have someone build an acrylic bulkhead to be put in put a durso type pipe in , plumb it to your sump on a slow flow pump for the return, and use the other hole for a drain to the main return pump and turn it into an intank/refugium
5) trade the tank
What ever the decesion is I can not wait to see how it all works out - Please have your friend do a build thread ( starting with the empty tank so that we can all see the end results
1) plug the holes
2) use them for returns - 1 1/8" hole can be used for a 1/2 " bulkhead opening X3 = 1 1/2 " of potential return flow.
3) one of the other crative suggestions - Habitrail for fish , water change drain etc
4) or you could have someone build an acrylic bulkhead to be put in put a durso type pipe in , plumb it to your sump on a slow flow pump for the return, and use the other hole for a drain to the main return pump and turn it into an intank/refugium
5) trade the tank
What ever the decesion is I can not wait to see how it all works out - Please have your friend do a build thread ( starting with the empty tank so that we can all see the end results
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