What size hole to drill?

revhtree · Aug 17, 2016

I am going to be plumbing in some glass 20G breeders into my new system for QT, species only etc. I was wondering what you guys thought would be a good size to drill for the return and for the overflow?

Also while I am at it. What about a 55g glass I might be using as a refugium?

jsker · Aug 17, 2016

mcarroll · Aug 17, 2016

1" or 1.5" wouldn't be too big if the required diamond hole saw and bulkheads aren't significantly more expensive.

3/4" should be fine if don't want anything fancy.

mgoesma · Aug 17, 2016

I found this great artical a while back. http://gmacreef.com/drilling-holes-bulkheads-glass-aquarium-tanks/ I would go 3/4 fittings. normally it is a 1 1/2 in hole but but the bulkhead first. They can vary. I have seen from 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 and I'm fairly new.

chomoney · Aug 17, 2016

I went with 1" on a similar set up, though 3/4" would probably be just fine also.

Quick note though: are you sure you want your QT plumbed into your main system? Feels like playing with fire...

mgoesma · Aug 18, 2016

A 1 inch porthole normally requires a 1 3/4 in hole.

Drakonis · Aug 18, 2016

i personally use a 1 1/2" bulkhead even in my 20 gal refugium. i have a mag 7 running flow to this tank and feeding a 3/8" line to reactor and that bulkhead has just a small air gap on it. It would flow far more if it hit full siphon but if it gets there im in trouble lol

revhtree · Aug 18, 2016

chomoney said:
I went with 1" on a similar set up, though 3/4" would probably be just fine also.

Quick note though: are you sure you want your QT plumbed into your main system? Feels like playing with fire...

Sorry I should have clarified!

I want all the tanks inline so I can fill them with tank water. When they are running as a QT they will be off line from the main. I may use a couple for the Tank Transfer Method.