BM200 has no drain plug, should I drill one?

[paulthomas]

I want to put a 3/8" JG fitting on the collection cup, which sounds relatively simple. Is there anything I should keep in mind?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[MichaelJ]

I want to put a 3/8" JG fitting on the collection cup, which sounds relatively simple. Is there anything I should keep in mind?

Thanks,
Paul

I had put one in the side of mine when I had it.... definately helped when I went on vacation.... I used a dremmel with sand bit... did it real slow taped around the areal I was aiming for... I had a 1/2'' barb with a hose to a 5gl bucket... I used a dremmel... the way to go.

hth Michael

 

[Jim Tansey]

The main problem you may get into is that many of the collection cups are made of extruded material and easily cracked, the tapered pipe thread only adds to the problem. I don't mean to say it can't be done but be careful.

Jim

 

[paulthomas]

I had put one in the side of mine when I had it.... definately helped when I went on vacation.... I used a dremmel with sand bit... did it real slow taped around the areal I was aiming for... I had a 1/2'' barb with a hose to a 5gl bucket... I used a dremmel... the way to go.

hth Michael

Thanks a bunch Michael. That does help.

Jim, I was planning on drilling the white bottom plate of the collection cup, which I believe is polyethylene. I was not going to drill the acrylic. Here's a pic of the skimmer:

I was at Reefkeeper2's house last Saturday and liked what he did with his Bubble King. He plugs the drain to the collection cup and periodically drains it manually into another container and then dumps it.

 

[MichaelJ]

I drilled right in the side of the acrylic.... approx. 1-1/2'' from the bottom...
so it can be done, but I think most people do it from the bottom like you want to do...

 

[MichaelJ]

Are you going to get the gate valve mod on that?

 

[paulthomas]

I didn't know there was one available for the masses? I thought it was a DIY kind of deal.

 

[Dave]

Is there any advantage to drilling the side vs the bottom?

 

[paulthomas]

Other than the collection cup filling a bit to readily see its consistency/color, I can't imagine there is one. I'm probably wrong though.

 

[Mini4x]

Drill the bottom and use a bulkhead fitting and then make a standpipe of sorts I bet it's easier to drill the bottom piece.

 

[Dave]

What size is that fitting? I don't think I can fit anything bigger than a 1/2". I was planning on using a john guest fitting. It is threaded but I haven't found a nylon nut that would fit. For a JG connection do you tap the hole or use glue, nut?

 

[MichaelJ]

I didn't know there was one available for the masses? I thought it was a DIY kind of deal.

If you get ahold of "Reefgeek" I believe they have the gatevalve mod....comes with an o'ring as well.... now when I bought mine it was FREE and they sent it for FREE as well.

Michael

 

[MichaelJ]

Is there any advantage to drilling the side vs the bottom?

there was no rhyme or reason for me drilling in the side besides the 'I wasn't thinking' factor..

 

[Dave]

Most of the drains I have seen were drilled on the side not the bottom.

 

[paulthomas]

Drill the bottom and use a bulkhead fitting and then make a standpipe of sorts I bet it's easier to drill the bottom piece.

Can I get a bulkhead that small?

 

[paulthomas]

If you get ahold of "Reefgeek" I believe they have the gatevalve mod....comes with an o'ring as well.... now when I bought mine it was FREE and they sent it for FREE as well.

Michael

Lucky duck. I'll shoot them an e-mail.

 

[MichaelJ]

there was no rhyme or reason for me drilling in the side besides the 'I wasn't thinking' factor..

I remember why I drilled it in the side..... that was the level of the rim of the tank.... so the tube went right over the rim with out having a dip in it.... worked great.

Michael

 

[paulthomas]

I remember why I drilled it in the side..... that was the level of the rim of the tank.... so the tube went right over the rim with out having a dip in it.... worked great.

Michael

Drilling the acrylic sounds risky, but I'm thinking as far as I'm concerned. I was going to ask about raising you skimmer in the sump, but you've got the gate valve mod.

BTW, I just picked up a RM 100 gallon stock tank. This thing is a beast. The BM is going to look tiny in it.

 

[MichaelJ]

Drilling the acrylic sounds risky, but I'm thinking as far as I'm concerned. I was going to ask about raising you skimmer in the sump, but you've got the gate valve mod.

BTW, I just picked up a RM 100 gallon stock tank. This thing is a beast. The BM is going to look tiny in it.

The skimmer can go only so far in the sump... I think 8'' ? Might be 6"

 

[paulthomas]

I remember reading 7-10" on RC.