Bulkheads For 1/2"id Hose?

[Corruptor]

I'm building a 30gal. acrylic tank for amphibians, and I'm planning on using an external filter (Eheim 2213) to keep the water nice and clean. I'd like to run all of the plumbing up through the bottom of the tank, but I have no idea what size bulkhead I need to order. Can anyone help?

Also, I'm planning on using soft hose for all of the lines, but I can switch to solid pipe if that would be better. Is there any advantage to one or the other? I'm planning for at least 3 valves on the return lines (split) plus the taps on the Eheim.

Thanks,
Jay M

 

[teaker1s]

personally I'd run a loop syphon system which gives you greater flexibility if you get leaks. that said for pipework I would use solid pipe and clip it (local trade hose and pipe supplier would be best to talk to) and just have flexible onto the filter. make sure all valves are 100% plastic so you don't get metal leaching into water when I last enquired the plastic taps were £2 +vat each

if you go for flexible hose be aware that there is thin and thick wall hose and if you use fluval type taps with screw rings to secure it the sidewall diameter is critical to get a secure water tight joint

 

[Corruptor]

By "closed loop" do you mean up over the back of the tank? I can do that, but I'm trying to hide as much of the "works" as possible. I don't think the frogs could climb the hoses, but a false back covering everything would solve both issues.

When it's all said and done, the tank will probably only have 10 or so gallons of water. I know the Eheim is excessive, but it should make tank care a lot easier and it eliminates the need for a waterfall pump.

 

[teaker1s]

depending on how your tank is going to be decorated I saw a nice frog tank and they had a good imitation plant round the back and sides and a machine that atomises water into a fog- it looked supurb and the decore hid the
filtration.
If you drill the tank I advise two wooden planks either side of the material and clamp them one should have a hole slightly bigger than your hole cutter and the other blank-that way your hole cutter won't jump or chip as it breaks through- go slow with cutter or acrylic will burn/melt/pick up.
on plastic's or any flexible surface make sure you don't have too much slop between fitting and glass/acrylic or you will have leak issues and just nip fittings up dont go mad on glass if you decide on glass as it will crack

 

[Corruptor]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention... I have a CNC router to do all of the cutting for me, free 3/8" cell cast acrylic, and AutoCAD. I'm trying to get all of the supplies and plan the entire thing before I make the first cut. I don't usually plan things this far in advance; I usually start a project and make it up as I go. I just thought I'd see if planning really helps...

 

[steelhealr]

From the marine standpoint, if one wants to use a 1/2" bulkhead, one has to drill a 1 1/8" hole to afford room for the with of the entire bolt. SH

 

[teaker1s]

sounds like the kit you have you could design a batch and sell custom tanks CNC and cad are great,same i'm useless at both

 

[Paul_MTS]

Assuming your in the UK you can get all your pipe work from here..

this the bulk head you would want to use..

http/www.fishfurfeather.com/fff-bulkhead...0mm-p-3435.html

then with this adaptor..

http/www.fishfurfeather.com/fff-hexagon-...-12-p-3402.html

you can put a hosetail...

http/www.fishfurfeather.com/fff-hosetail...-12-p-4798.html

onto the adaptor which will then take the 16/22mm Eheim Hose.

On the inside from the bulkheads you can build a spray bar and inlet by using the pipe working that site.

 

[Corruptor]

Nope, I'm in the USA. I appreciate the links and info though. That should be enough to help me find my way through this part of the project!

Two more questions;
1: why do some bulkheads have 2 gaskets while others only have one?
2: If I'm using threaded pipe, do I just use teflon tape to seal the joints?

 

[Paul_MTS]

You use 2 seals so you have 1 on the inside and 1 on the outside, the inside one is rubber creating the seal and the outside one is a hard plastic which is used as a washer i guess, i'm not sure, I just use them!

Yes, if you have any threads seal them with tape. Or put a blob of silicon in the thread.

 

[Corruptor]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the help, and I will be sure to post up some pics when this project is complete.
Jay M