HALP I'm so confussed! Plumbing issue

MrBunny · 08/19/2009, 08:00 PM

So I have never done ANY plumbing in my life. Thinking oh its just some glue and some pipes no worries. Well apparently I'm wrong!

I have three different pieces the pipe from the overflow, the pipe into the sump and the return pump pipe. They are all different sizes! I went to home depot and was asking and the overflow pipe is apparently a size that they can not connect either the clear bendy tubes or pvc pipes to. He said it was like 1 1/3 inch threaded pipe.

So is this guy full of it or what should I do?!!! Go to another home depot or lowes? Is it ok to use the clear bendy pipe for the return pump?

thegrun · 08/19/2009, 08:14 PM

Although rare, you could have some metric sized pipe. It could also be tubing size. Is there a old time hardware store near you or a plumbing only store? They can generally hook you up with the odd size plumbing parts or get you the parts to make your existing pipe work.

Popeye · 08/19/2009, 08:16 PM

Hard to answer without some more data - maybe pictures or a diagram? Where did you get the equipment? what kind is it? Hard to believe it would be manufactured to a custom, unavailable size.

If there is a decent Local Fish Store (LFS) in your area, they may be able to help. Without seeing what you are talking about it's hard to give you a useful answer but I'm sure there is some way to connect the equipment you have if it was commercially manufactured.

MrBunny · 08/19/2009, 08:34 PM

The Connector thing from the overflow box

The connector to the sump so this is where I need to connect my overflow box too.

This is the return pump

MrPike · 08/19/2009, 09:51 PM

Looks like you were trying to thread a piece on the wrong side of the bulkhead. That first pic is of a slip bulkhead. A 1" pipe slips and is glued into that. 2nd pic looks like a bigger bulkhead, but a standard sized pvc pipe fitting should thread into it. Its hard to tell from the pics which size bulkheads they are...just make sure your not trying to connect a pipe to the outside threads, that will never work.

MrBunny · 08/19/2009, 10:01 PM

Ok so I want to find pvc pipe that fits inside the slip bulk head right?

Playa-1 · 08/19/2009, 11:24 PM

I agree the 1st pic appears to be a female slip fitting.

Rule #1 is don't ever ask for help at the hardware store that relates to the fish tank. They are clueless when it comes to anything but standard household plumbing.
Just tell them you don't need help and save yourself the pain.

I would encourage you to get a local experienced reefer to give you a hand since it's your first plumbing project or get a reputable local fish store to help you set it up.

Even though the basic plumbing of it is relatively simple there are lots of things that can go wrong and it might not be the best project to learn plumbing 101 on.

jtrasap · 08/20/2009, 07:14 AM

It's really hard to get any useful information about anything....period...from most employees at the big home stores such as Lowe's, Home Depot, and Menards.

As has been mentioned, you should find a local mom and pop hardware store, or a plumbing only store. You will be much more likely to find some useful, knowledgeable people.

seapug · 08/20/2009, 08:39 AM

You're not alone. I did my first PVC plumbing project this past spring and went through the same thing. Just wait until you finally get it all put together and find you have leaks in the joints. Be sure you have some 2 part epoxy putty on hand when you finally get it up and running.

That said, the suggestions above about the slip fitting are correct.

08/20/2009, 07:14 AM	#8
jtrasap Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St. Elmo, Illinois Posts: 2,361	It's really hard to get any useful information about anything....period...from most employees at the big home stores such as Lowe's, Home Depot, and Menards. As has been mentioned, you should find a local mom and pop hardware store, or a plumbing only store. You will be much more likely to find some useful, knowledgeable people. __________________ Jason Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

08/20/2009, 08:39 AM	#9
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	You're not alone. I did my first PVC plumbing project this past spring and went through the same thing. Just wait until you finally get it all put together and find you have leaks in the joints. Be sure you have some 2 part epoxy putty on hand when you finally get it up and running. That said, the suggestions above about the slip fitting are correct. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

08/19/2009, 08:00 PM	#1
MrBunny Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Tempe, Arizona Posts: 240	HALP I'm so confussed! Plumbing issue So I have never done ANY plumbing in my life. Thinking oh its just some glue and some pipes no worries. Well apparently I'm wrong! I have three different pieces the pipe from the overflow, the pipe into the sump and the return pump pipe. They are all different sizes! I went to home depot and was asking and the overflow pipe is apparently a size that they can not connect either the clear bendy tubes or pvc pipes to. He said it was like 1 1/3 inch threaded pipe. So is this guy full of it or what should I do?!!! Go to another home depot or lowes? Is it ok to use the clear bendy pipe for the return pump?

08/19/2009, 08:14 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Although rare, you could have some metric sized pipe. It could also be tubing size. Is there a old time hardware store near you or a plumbing only store? They can generally hook you up with the odd size plumbing parts or get you the parts to make your existing pipe work.

08/19/2009, 08:16 PM	#3
Popeye Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Boston Posts: 90	Hard to answer without some more data - maybe pictures or a diagram? Where did you get the equipment? what kind is it? Hard to believe it would be manufactured to a custom, unavailable size. If there is a decent Local Fish Store (LFS) in your area, they may be able to help. Without seeing what you are talking about it's hard to give you a useful answer but I'm sure there is some way to connect the equipment you have if it was commercially manufactured.

08/19/2009, 08:34 PM	#4
MrBunny Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Tempe, Arizona Posts: 240	The Connector thing from the overflow box The connector to the sump so this is where I need to connect my overflow box too. This is the return pump

08/19/2009, 09:51 PM	#5
MrPike Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 718	Looks like you were trying to thread a piece on the wrong side of the bulkhead. That first pic is of a slip bulkhead. A 1" pipe slips and is glued into that. 2nd pic looks like a bigger bulkhead, but a standard sized pvc pipe fitting should thread into it. Its hard to tell from the pics which size bulkheads they are...just make sure your not trying to connect a pipe to the outside threads, that will never work.

08/19/2009, 10:01 PM	#6
MrBunny Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Tempe, Arizona Posts: 240	Ok so I want to find pvc pipe that fits inside the slip bulk head right?

08/19/2009, 11:24 PM	#7
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I agree the 1st pic appears to be a female slip fitting. Rule #1 is don't ever ask for help at the hardware store that relates to the fish tank. They are clueless when it comes to anything but standard household plumbing. Just tell them you don't need help and save yourself the pain. I would encourage you to get a local experienced reefer to give you a hand since it's your first plumbing project or get a reputable local fish store to help you set it up. Even though the basic plumbing of it is relatively simple there are lots of things that can go wrong and it might not be the best project to learn plumbing 101 on.