I've asked this over on APC but haven't gotten much feedback yet. Maybe better luck here...

I'm helping a friend set up a large custom built glass tank and have several questions that I could use some help on:

1. The tank will be built into a wall and will have two cannister filters running on it (Eheim 2180 Pro III and Eheim 2260). The inputs and outputs will be through the bottom of the tank so we need to order it with holes drilled in the bottom. The 2180 has three hoses of 16/22mm (inside/outside diameter), two to the filter and one for the return. The 2260 has two hoses, one of 16/22mm and one of 25/34mm. So how big should the holes be for the bulkheads?

2. How to connect the flexible Eheim hoses to the bulkheads? I assume I need some pvc pipe from the bulkheads but how do I connect the hoses to the pvc?

3. The Eheim 2180 has two hoses to bring water from the tank to the filter. Does it pose a problem if there is only one output from the tank that splits into two to connect to the two hoses (reduces the number of holes required from five to four...)?

As you can tell, I'm not an expert with bulkheads and drilled tanks!

This sounds like a decent sized tank/project your working on. I would suggest installing pvc for everthing from the intake to the filters and from the filters to the return/spray bar. 3/8" would be fine or 1/2" wouldn't hurt either. You could have the pvc come into where ever the canister filters are with pcv hose connectors, then you just neet to run a short hose from the canister to the connector. You may even want to install some flow control valves on the pvc side. For the bulk head just have the tank drilled to match whatever size pipes you go with. I love working pvc, its so simple to customize and very cheap to use.

Good luck with your project.

Look up bulkhead fittings on a website where they are sold. You will find what your hole size options are by doing that. As I recall there are only two sizes that would be appropriate, so making the choice is pretty easy.

I wouldn't know

[quote]
I'm helping a friend set up a large custom built glass tank and have several questions that I could use some help on:


IME, larger is better, Say 1.5" for the ID of the Bulk head for 34 mm.
So PVC pipe Dia of 1.5" and 1.25" for the 25mm.

The outside of the bulk heads you can measure and determine the size of holes you need. The 16/22 pair, 3/4" bulk heads will work fine.

I do not know if they have different sizing for the bulk heads there than in the USA.

Still, you need to go get the bulk heads now, measure them, then order the tank.
Also, use Schedule 80 sizing(the thicker heavy duty Bulk head/PVC material).


Simple, schedule 80 Grey Barbed male ends with male threads to connect to the PVC.


You can have them tee ed together on the return as long as the tube that you blend them together in is larger, so say you have 22 mm x 2, you will merge them together with a 34 mm hose size etc, not another 22mm.

Common sense.

I would suggest having an overflow box, and running one filter through that, and the other down low for suction and return and one upper, having the over flow and return blasting water on the upper parts of the tank.
You can hide the returns in the weir box.

Also, you may add the weir box to the outside of the tank if it is hidden from view and if there is enough room in the wall for it, then you will not have that weir box inside the tank and have a weird Rectangle placed along the back wall.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Regards,
Tom Barr

Thanks for the replies, just the feedback I needed!