Bulkhead plumbing

viks · 06/02/2011, 09:09 PM

Hi guys.

Have a quick question. I'm plumbing my bulkhead, and on the overflow side, I have a dursostand pipe which will be attached by a threaded adaptor. I will use tape to make it water tight, and this will allow me to unscrew if need be. Now on the underside of the tank, the bulkhead has threads on the outside, and is smooth on the inside. Do I find a adaptor and attach to the outside of the bulkhead, so that I can screw and unscrew the plumbing, or do I just slip the drain pipe into the bulkhead and cement it in permenatley? Same question for my return pipe.

Hope that makes sense.

Viks

Dr Colliebreath · 06/02/2011, 09:14 PM

I would put a threaded adapter on and cement into it rather than cementing into your tank's bulkhead.

airwaybill · 06/02/2011, 09:16 PM

You would glue whatever plumbing you are using into the bulkhead. Whether it be 1" or 3/4" whatever size, then go on with your plumbing.

Sent from my LS670 using Tapatalk

thegrun · 06/02/2011, 09:52 PM

I prefer to use the screwed fitting, it allows you to reuse the bulkhead if you want to rework the plumbing.

viks · 06/02/2011, 09:56 PM

It looks like I can go either way judging by your suggestions...does one have a advantage over another?

iamwrasseman · 06/02/2011, 10:00 PM

glue the slip fitting on as you probably will not use it for another purpose . besides when and if you could use it you would probably decide to go with all brand new . they are cheap enough .

jjvanb · 06/02/2011, 10:31 PM

Glue right into the fitting, then install a union valve so you can disconnect the drain plumbing for cleaning and such. If down the road you decide to change things around, a new bulkhead fitting isn't all that expensive.

iamwrasseman · 06/02/2011, 10:33 PM

not at all especially when you add up what the cost of a fully stocked tank costs ,just pennies my friend .

viks · 06/02/2011, 10:51 PM

Thanks. I'll glue and stick a union fitting for the drain. On my return I'm gonna have 1 union and also a ball valve. Any other plumbing tips?

OregonReefer · 06/02/2011, 11:16 PM

The outside threads of a bulkhead is not something you can thread piping to.

Pipe thread is tapered so it gets tighter as you thread the fittings together. The threaded part of the bulkhead that the nut goes on is straight threads and there is no "adapter" that you can use on it.

Piping and fittings for ALL bulkheads must fit the inner diameter of the bulkhead

That said, I prefer to use bulkheads that have ID threads on both sides. There's a good chance somewhere down the road it will make your like easier

viks · 06/02/2011, 11:50 PM

thanks for the help guys. appreciate it.

06/02/2011, 09:09 PM	#1
viks Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 139	Bulkhead plumbing Hi guys. Have a quick question. I'm plumbing my bulkhead, and on the overflow side, I have a dursostand pipe which will be attached by a threaded adaptor. I will use tape to make it water tight, and this will allow me to unscrew if need be. Now on the underside of the tank, the bulkhead has threads on the outside, and is smooth on the inside. Do I find a adaptor and attach to the outside of the bulkhead, so that I can screw and unscrew the plumbing, or do I just slip the drain pipe into the bulkhead and cement it in permenatley? Same question for my return pipe. Hope that makes sense. Viks

06/02/2011, 09:16 PM	#3
airwaybill meat popsicle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Silver Springs Shores, Fl Posts: 528	You would glue whatever plumbing you are using into the bulkhead. Whether it be 1" or 3/4" whatever size, then go on with your plumbing. Sent from my LS670 using Tapatalk __________________ Seek first to understand before being understood. Current Tank Info: 180g Allglass dual megaflow, 125gal sump/refugium, Octopus Extreme series xs200 skimmer, mag12 return, 2 Vortech MP40wES, 3 400watt metal halide 20000k, 2x65w pc on fuge, 3x54w t5. Lots and Lots of happy corals!!!

06/02/2011, 10:00 PM	#6
iamwrasseman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: syracuse Posts: 7,003	glue the slip fitting on as you probably will not use it for another purpose . besides when and if you could use it you would probably decide to go with all brand new . they are cheap enough . __________________ This hobby certainly can put you in some weird positions ! Dave Current Tank Info: 40 freshwater,25saltwater 2000 gallons ,enough tanks for an army ?

06/02/2011, 10:33 PM	#8
iamwrasseman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: syracuse Posts: 7,003	not at all especially when you add up what the cost of a fully stocked tank costs ,just pennies my friend . __________________ This hobby certainly can put you in some weird positions ! Dave Current Tank Info: 40 freshwater,25saltwater 2000 gallons ,enough tanks for an army ?

06/02/2011, 11:16 PM	#10
OregonReefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 629	The outside threads of a bulkhead is not something you can thread piping to. Pipe thread is tapered so it gets tighter as you thread the fittings together. The threaded part of the bulkhead that the nut goes on is straight threads and there is no "adapter" that you can use on it. Piping and fittings for ALL bulkheads must fit the inner diameter of the bulkhead That said, I prefer to use bulkheads that have ID threads on both sides. There's a good chance somewhere down the road it will make your like easier __________________ 120g drilled, 30G sump, 20g Fuge, RO NWB200 Skimmer, Glass Holes Overflow, mag 12.0 return, Reeflo Dart closed loop, 6-bulb Sunlight Tek

06/02/2011, 09:14 PM	#2
Dr Colliebreath Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: DC Vicinity Posts: 1,813	I would put a threaded adapter on and cement into it rather than cementing into your tank's bulkhead.

06/02/2011, 09:52 PM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I prefer to use the screwed fitting, it allows you to reuse the bulkhead if you want to rework the plumbing.

06/02/2011, 09:56 PM	#5
viks Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 139	It looks like I can go either way judging by your suggestions...does one have a advantage over another?

06/02/2011, 10:31 PM	#7
jjvanb Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida Posts: 159	Glue right into the fitting, then install a union valve so you can disconnect the drain plumbing for cleaning and such. If down the road you decide to change things around, a new bulkhead fitting isn't all that expensive.

06/02/2011, 10:51 PM	#9
viks Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 139	Thanks. I'll glue and stick a union fitting for the drain. On my return I'm gonna have 1 union and also a ball valve. Any other plumbing tips?

06/02/2011, 11:50 PM	#11
viks Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 139	thanks for the help guys. appreciate it.

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