My tank is drilled!

Brooke24 · Dec 19, 2020

It’s drilled! I pulled the trigger and just did it, but now I don’t know how to get the glass out (since it’s snowing near me and can’t bring it outside.) Also, do I need unions since I’m hard plumbing? Couldnt I straight run the 1 inch PVC pipe all the way down with a 90 degree pvc piece, and two ball valves to stop flow just in case? I’m not using two different pvc sizes, so do I really need unions?

Brett S · Dec 19, 2020

That’s great

. Drilling a tank is very nerve wracking, but it‘s good when it’s done. If you are able to take it outside and flush it out with a hose that might be best, but I can see how that might not work well in then winter. Second best would be taking it to the bath tub and flushing it out that way. (You might have to use little pitchers of water. Or if you can’t do that just use an old towel or some paper towels to try to clean it out as best you can. If a small amount of glass dust gets left in there I wouldn’t worry about it. It’s just going to get lost in the sand and it’s not going to hurt anything.

As far as the unions go, you could skip them, but skipping them could make life difficult if you need to do any work on the plumbing in the future. You might need to cut the plumbing to make changes. Having unions installed could make your life easier in the future. That said, I don’t have unions on my plumbing and I’m nearly 5 years in and I haven’t regretted that decision too much yet.

Brooke24 · Dec 19, 2020

Brett S said:
That’s great. Drilling a tank is very nerve wracking, but it‘s good when it’s done. If you are able to take it outside and flush it out with a hose that might be best, but I can see how that might not work well in then winter. Second best would be taking it to the bath tub and flushing it out that way. (You might have to use little pitchers of water. Or if you can’t do that just use an old towel or some paper towels to try to clean it out as best you can. If a small amount of glass dust gets left in there I wouldn’t worry about it. It’s just going to get lost in the sand and it’s not going to hurt anything.

As far as the unions go, you could skip them, but skipping them could make life difficult if you need to do any work on the plumbing in the future. You might need to cut the plumbing to make changes. Having unions installed could make your life easier in the future. That said, I don’t have unions on my plumbing and I’m nearly 5 years and I haven’t regretted that decision too much yet.

That’s exactly what my dad said. Honestly I don’t see me having to change my plumbing at all, unless something breaks- which it probably won’t, since it is PVC. I’m gonna yolo it, and say nah. My dad bought three unions and they were 30$, thirty dollars I was gonna spend on live rock lol!

MarshallB · Dec 19, 2020

You don't need unions, but I would suggest using them. Place a union after the over flow box, and place another union right before or after the 90 degree joint. Better to have them and never need them then having to redo all your plumbing, especially if its in tight areas.

theMeat · Dec 19, 2020

Good for you.
Don’t worry too much about getting every lil bit of glass shaving out.
Easy enough to cut pipe when/if needed. You can put unions on them if you want.
Good idea to make first piece coming out of overflow box spa flex to allow a bit of give, and not put all the stress on the bulkhead going through the glass which would be the weak spot

Brooke24 · Dec 19, 2020

MarshallB said:
You don't need unions, but I would suggest using them. Place a union after the over flow box, and place another union right before or after the 90 degree joint. Better to have them and never need them then having to redo all your plumbing, especially if its in tight areas.

You’re right- except I have a ghost overflow with three pipes. So wouldn’t I need four unionsb

Brooke24 · Dec 19, 2020

theMeat said:
Good for you.
Don’t worry too much about getting every lil bit of glass shaving out.
Easy enough to cut pipe when/if needed. You can put unions on them if you want.
Good idea to make first piece coming out of overflow box spa flex to allow a bit of give, and not put all the stress on the bulkhead going through the glass which would be the weak spot

True! Thank you

count krunk · Dec 19, 2020

Toss in the unions. At least one for each pipe. It's well worth it. They aren't $10 a piece either, just get then from home depot or similar.

That said $30 goes fast in this hobby.

MarshallB · Dec 19, 2020

Brooke24 said:
You’re right- except I have a ghost overflow with three pipes. So wouldn’t I need four unionsb

For something that you hope to lasts for years and years, that is a lot of time to hope nothing will happen. My overflow has 3 pipes too. I have 6 unions. 2 for each pipe. I'd suggest at minimum to put 3 after the overflow box. You spend a little extra time now setting it up to save you a LOT of time later. Easy way to minimize some risk.

Saltyreef · Dec 19, 2020

Are you gonna drill your returns too? Might as well!

count krunk · Dec 19, 2020

Definitely drill your return

Brooke24 · Dec 20, 2020

Saltyreef said:
Are you gonna drill your returns too? Might as well!

count krunk said:
Definitely drill your return

Honestly, I just have one of these hang on E-shoppes jet returns.

Saltyreef · Dec 20, 2020

Brooke24 said:
Honestly, I just have one of these hang on E-shoppes jet returns.

If you already drilled the overflow......
Youd likely appreciate having drilled returns too.
Nothing wrong with HOB though, as ive said before.

But heres how my hole spacing is configured for rimless.
3/4 return size.

Brooke24 · Dec 20, 2020

Saltyreef said:
If you already drilled the overflow......
Youd likely appreciate having drilled returns too.
Nothing wrong with HOB though, as ive said before.

But heres how my hole spacing is configured for rimless.
3/4 return size.

I don’t think my dad would go through drilling it again lol. I would also have to wait a week for the returns to get shipped here

. Plus I like the way I can move the Eshoppes to different places

sandfan85 · Dec 20, 2020

Awesome.

Brooke24 · Dec 20, 2020

sandfan85 said:
Awesome.

I know!! Since I’m a teen I can leave my house knowing I won’t flood my hardwood floors lol

Brooke24 · Dec 20, 2020

Also, is purple primer ok? Didn’t feel like going to an actual plumbing place to get clear. I have clear cement and purple primer

josvanmeer · Dec 20, 2020

I always opt for gate valves right under the stand and they have a union. Having at least one union on each pipe is crucial if you need to do maintenance. You will be screaming at yourself if you didn't. Also I think gate/ball valve is crucial on each drain.