Problems drilling Rubbermaid stock tank

[DanConnor]

Ok, so I have a 100 gallon rubbermaid stock tank I'm planning to use as a sump.

I removed the old bulkhead, drilled a hole on center to the next size up (64 mm or 2.5 inches) for a 1.5 inch bulkhead. It only took off a very small bit of material.
Then I went to install a new bulkhead and there is absolutely no room at the bottom inside for the bulkhead flange.
I can't believe I didn't see that before I drilled.

They last time I drilled one of these was over 10 years ago, but I vaguely remember using a 1 inch bulkhead and having to trim a bit of collar off.

So, I guess I can (argh) throw this thing away and spend $85 on another use a 1 inch bulkhead and/or drill the opposite side.
Can anyone talk me out of that? It will be 400 gallons total volume, so its has to be totally secure.

 

[Peace River]

Ok, so I have a 100 gallon rubbermaid stock tank I'm planning to use as a sump.

I removed the old bulkhead, drilled a hole on center to the next size up (64 mm or 2.5 inches) for a 1.5 inch bulkhead. It only took off a very small bit of material.
Then I went to install a new bulkhead and there is absolutely no room at the bottom inside for the bulkhead flange.
I can't believe I didn't see that before I drilled.

They last time I drilled one of these was over 10 years ago, but I vaguely remember using a 1 inch bulkhead and having to trim a bit of collar off.

So, I guess I can (argh) throw this thing away and spend $85 on another use a 1 inch bulkhead and/or drill the opposite side.
Can anyone talk me out of that? It will be 400 gallons total volume, so its has to be totally secure.

I also have a few of the rubbermaid stock tanks and if I understand your description correctly, then I would agree that you are probably better off getting another stock tank and then drilling the other side. I think that you could still patch and use the initial tank for an outdoor tank for freshwater natives (at least during the summer) or for cycling live rock.

 

[DanConnor]

Talking me in to it works too; thanks.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Can you take a picture?

 

[Hillbillyreefer]

Grind down the part of the bulkhead fitting that goes inside the tank until it has enough clearance from the bottom to seat properly. Been there done that, except it was on a much larger water storage tank. The fix has held for years and the tank is transported full in the back of a truck.

 

[DanConnor]

As you can see, there's basically no flat surface at the bottom. I think I flubbed this one.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

How does the other side look? Can you just flip the bulkhead and put the flange on the outside?

 

[Water Dog]

A 1.5 inch uniseal will fit in a 64mm hole. Just have the flange side of the uniseal where you have clearance. With a uniseal, there’s no nut necessary opposite of the flange, so that side will clear the area with the bottom protrusion in your picture.

Uniseal Bulkheads

Why does BRS recommend this? Uniseals are one of the secrets in life you wish you knew about years ago. By conforming to round surfaces they allow you to plumb directly into 5 gallon buckets, brute trash cans, or any round surface. They accept standard Sch. 40 or Sch. 80 PVC and allow DIY...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Dom]

I wanted to suggest the same thing...

You could get a nice size piece of 1/4 inch plexiglass and seal the hole. Then spin the sump around and drill again.

But be sure to patch from the INSIDE as pressure from water in the sump will help seal it.

 

[DanConnor]

How does the other side look? Can you just flip the bulkhead and put the flange on the outside?

The nut is about the same size as the flange, so no real advantage. Plus I don't think having the nut on the inside is something I want to do

 

[DanConnor]

A 1.5 inch uniseal will fit in a 64mm hole. Just have the flange side of the uniseal where you have clearance. With a uniseal, there’s no nut necessary opposite of the flange, so that side will clear the area with the bottom protrusion in your picture.

Uniseal Bulkheads

Why does BRS recommend this? Uniseals are one of the secrets in life you wish you knew about years ago. By conforming to round surfaces they allow you to plumb directly into 5 gallon buckets, brute trash cans, or any round surface. They accept standard Sch. 40 or Sch. 80 PVC and allow DIY...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Thanks; checking in to this now. I didn't know about this product

 

[Water Dog]

Thanks; checking in to this now. I didn't know about this product

I really think the uniseal will be a very simple solution to your issue without having to patch and drill another hole. Good luck !

 

[Hillbillyreefer]

As you can see, there's basically no flat surface at the bottom. I think I flubbed this one.

Ohhh, my idea definitely won’t work for your situation.

 

[Danj]

I really think the uniseal will be a very simple solution to your issue without having to patch and drill another hole. Good luck !

+1

Uniseal is exactly the right answer to this problem. The flange doesn't make the sealing surface, the pipe and inner wall of the drilled holes do. Think of them as a big rubber cork with a hole in the middle that you slide a pipe through.

I use them on my mixing container and they work remarkably well

 

[ca1ore]

Yeah, that looks like an 'oops'. Been there. Not a fan of unseals personally, but probably worth trying in this instance. I wonder if you could solvent weld a patch over the hole. I think these things are structural foam (PVC maybe).

 

[DanConnor]

Well, lets just say the tanks were on sale at $79. Now I have two.
Thanks for all the suggestions though! Very helpful.

I'm going to put a 1" bulkhead in the hole and use it for water changes, and drill a hole higher up for the 1.5" pump feed.
The pre-existing hole looks like it might take a sch 40 1.25 inch, but I don't have one handy to check...

 

[Dom]

Never considered a uniseal; good idea!