Overflow thru bottom drilled bulkhead with removable standpipe

[kokosnood]

Ok, so I am designing my automatic drip water changing system for my new fishroom.

I have a question about the overflow drains:

I am thinking about putting the bulkheads through the bottom of each aquarium and placing a standpipe sticking straight up to the height I want the water. Then as the new water drips in, water will overflow the standpipe into the drainage system and out to the garden. The standpipe will not be glued into the bulkhead

When I want to drain the entire aquarium I can pull the standpipe out of the bulkhead and the entire tank will drain.

My concern is the seal between the standpipe and the bulkhead at the bottom of each aquarium. Since I would like to have the option of pulling the standpipe to drain the tank, I will not glue the standpipe to the inside of the bulkhead. However, I am worried that water will leak between the bottom of the standpipe and the bulkhead fitting and the tank will drain faster than it is filling.

Any advice?

 

[gandalfdgrey]

Using a threaded bulkhead fitting could be one option.

 

[enwelz]

Using a threaded bulkhead fitting could be one option.

Slap on a little teflon tape and POW!!!

 

[kokosnood]

I spoke to the guy at Jehmco today. He recommended putting the bulkhead on the side about half way up the glass. The preferred method is to use a threaded bulkhead and a steet L fitting and a standpipe. Then you just turn the street L fitting with the standpipe 180 degrees (from standing straight up to pointing down) if you want to drain the entire tank. The overflow standpipe will turn into a siphon to drain the tank as needed.

 

[Pharaoh]

Slap on a little teflon tape and POW!!!

This is what I did for a long time.

I spoke to the guy at Jehmco today. He recommended putting the bulkhead on the side about half way up the glass. The preferred method is to use a threaded bulkhead and a steet L fitting and a standpipe. Then you just turn the street L fitting with the standpipe 180 degrees (from standing straight up to pointing down) if you want to drain the entire tank. The overflow standpipe will turn into a siphon to drain the tank as needed.

No need to drill the side if you already have the bottom drilled. Just use a threaded bulkhead or some teflon tape and you'll be fine.

 

[Clay]

I've been trying to get away from teflon tape and move towards the teflon goo for a little bit now, but that's another topic.

Why would you want to drain an aquarium with ease? I can't recall a time I've wanted to regularly drain on aquarium. What happens if that bulkhead leaks and you don't notice it while you're out for the day? A tank with fish and no water - no thanks!

The bulkheads on the back wall are a better option, I think. It provides a fail safe that the bottom bulkhead doesn't. And if you want to drain an aquarium, no problem, 50% can be done automatically, and 50% via python, or 100% via python. Siphons are automatic too