Bulkhead Size?

[Kasey Grohowski]

I need help in choosing what bulkhead size, my return pump is 3645 gph and my overflow is 3500 gph, I'm not exactly sure what I need for a bulkhead. To be honest I'm not sure what the bulkhead does I just know I need one.

 

[Tankzombie]

Bulkhead for return’s?

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

Bulkhead for return’s?

Overflow and return

 

[ENVY]

How many gallons is your tank?


Bulkheads provide a water tight seal where you drill a hole in the glass or acrylic. You are then able to attach external PVC pipe to carry the water to where you need it (usually a sump).

 

[lapin]

These charts will help you decide how big you need.
https://flexpvc.com/Reference/WaterFlowBasedOnPipeSize.shtml
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/BulkheadFloRateArt.htm
http://reefcentral.com/index.php/drainoverflow-size-calc
http://reefcentral.com/index.php/head-loss-calculator
Remember just because your pump can put out 3645 gph does not mean you will get that much flow. You will have head loss (pumping up hill) and each 90 will create friction.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

How many gallons is your tank?


Bulkheads provide a water tight seal where you drill a hole in the glass or acrylic. You are then able to attach external PVC pipe to carry the water to where you need it (usually a sump).

220, yes to a sump. Should the overflow be directly in the middle back? Or does position not matter

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

These charts will help you decide how big you need.
https://flexpvc.com/Reference/WaterFlowBasedOnPipeSize.shtml
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/BulkheadFloRateArt.htm
http://reefcentral.com/index.php/drainoverflow-size-calc
http://reefcentral.com/index.php/head-loss-calculator
Remember just because your pump can put out 3645 gph does not mean you will get that much flow. You will have head loss (pumping up hill) and each 90 will create friction.

Do you recommend i get a stronger return pump?

 

[lapin]

Do you recommend i get a stronger return pump?

Not knowing how you are plumbing your returns it would just be a guess as to what pump is needed.
A 3600 gph pump should be plenty for a return, maybe even too much, unless it has to pump 20 feet up. Then you will need a pump that is made to handle the head pressure.
If you find the pump does not provide enough flow to the tank then most people use powerheads for extra flow.

220, yes to a sump. Should the overflow be directly in the middle back? Or does position not matter

It does not matter where it is as long as the returns do not point directly at it.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

Not knowing how you are plumbing your returns it would just be a guess as to what pump is needed.
A 3600 gph pump should be plenty for a return, maybe even too much, unless it has to pump 20 feet up. Then you will need a pump that is made to handle the head pressure.
If you find the pump does not provide enough flow to the tank then most people use powerheads for extra flow.

It does not matter where it is as long as the returns do not point directly at it.

buddy of mine told me something about return jets, that they wont affect head pressure? Do you know anything about that?

 

[lapin]

buddy of mine told me something about return jets, that they wont affect head pressure? Do you know anything about that?

No I dont use nozzles or jets. I use Sea Swirls for returns.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

No I dont use nozzles or jets. I use Sea Swirls for returns.

What are those? do you know what size bulkhead I'd need if I used 1 inch pipe and 3 quarter inch return pipe?

 

[lapin]

The bulkhead size is the same size as the pipe size. So the hole in the tank will be for a 1" bulkhead if you use 1"pipe.
Here is something to read
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/instructions/article/selecting-the-correct-bulkhead

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

The bulkhead size is the same size as the pipe size. So the hole in the tank will be for a 1" bulkhead if you use 1"pipe.
Here is something to read
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/instructions/article/selecting-the-correct-bulkhead

Do you think 1 inch is too small piping for 3500 gph?

 

[lapin]

If you read this you will see 1" with gravity will flow 960 gph. So 2ea 1" pipes will flow 1920 gph. 1ea 2" pipe will flow 3300 gph with gravity
https://flexpvc.com/Reference/WaterFlowBasedOnPipeSize.shtml

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

If you read this you will see 1" with gravity will flow 960 gph
https://flexpvc.com/Reference/WaterFlowBasedOnPipeSize.shtml

960? Thats it? That means I have to get 2 inch pvc for 10x turnover on a 220, right?

 

[lapin]

We need to see a picture of your tank and your set up for overflow to make a better decision on this.
Do you want 10x turn over for the sump?
GPH is Gallons Per Hour

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

We need to see a picture of your tank and your set up for overflow to make a better decision on this.

Ah okay, i dont have it setup yet, i want to make it perfect the first time plan everything out. Wouldnt it be best to have 2 inch, that way I have the room if I need it? If I do one inch and along the way figure out I need more turnover, Ill have to redrill the hole, right?

 

[lapin]

Here is an example of the bean animal. Considered the best type you can have.
http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx

Holes cannot be redrilled except by an expert.