Drain Pipe to Sump Bulkhead Connection

[Johnseye]

Do the drain pipes into the sump (three 1 1/2" beananimal) need to be sealed? Meaning do they either need to be cemented with slip or use a threaded bulkhead? I'm considering just inserting the drains into slip bulkheads without cementing them in. My concern is that at least for the full siphon drain I'll get leakage up and out of the bulkhead.

I know on the bottom side I can use slip and just insert pipes that go just below the waterline. I do that today with my herbie and have no issues. It's the connection from the DT drain pipe into the bulkhead I'm not sure about.

[Vinny Kreyling]

Why use bulkheads?
All the ones I have seen just drop into the sump from the open top.

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by Vinny Kreyling

Why use bulkheads?
All the ones I have seen just drop into the sump from the open top.

More stable, secured connection to the sump. My pipes will come in at an angle from along the wall, then straight down and in. This gives something for the pipes to connect to, instead of dangle..and potentially rattle.

[nuttyd]

Are you using a flex tube into the sump and do you have an ATO?

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by nuttyd

Are you using a flex tube into the sump and do you have an ATO?

There will be some spa-flex in the run from DT to sump but the last few feet into the sump will be hard plumbed pvc.

I do have an ATO but that's at a different location in the sump with different tubing.

[Vinny Kreyling]

https://www.savko.com/portal/click-clamp.asp
I would use these on the wall before the 45 going to the sump & eliminate the bulkheads.
A board might be best since they will be close together.

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by Vinny Kreyling

https://www.savko.com/portal/click-clamp.asp
I would use these on the wall before the 45 going to the sump & eliminate the bulkheads.
A board might be best since they will be close together.

I have those and the pipes will be coming off a board mounted to the wall but at a downward angle then straight down into the sump.

The plan is for slip bulkheads in each of the 3 sump drain holes and the hard pvc pipes inserted without cement. Question is, will water come up out of the bulkhead?

[Vinny Kreyling]

In that case I would use that "thigy'( senior moment here) used for a pipe into a cirlular tube or protein skimmer on the sump drain holes to prevent any upward water leakage.
The clic clamps hold real tight & I'll bet you will get minimal movement in the pipes.

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by Vinny Kreyling

In that case I would use that "thigy'( senior moment here) used for a pipe into a cirlular tube or protein skimmer on the sump drain holes to prevent any upward water leakage.
The clic clamps hold real tight & I'll bet you will get minimal movement in the pipes.

Uniseal?

[nuttyd]

throw a few wraps of thread seal tape and that should prevent any up water and still let you take out the pipe. Will likely slide up the pipe when you insert into slip bulkhead but should still stop the water.

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by nuttyd

throw a few wraps of thread seal tape and that should prevent any up water and still let you take out the pipe. Will likely slide up the pipe when you insert into slip bulkhead but should still stop the water.

Yup, I was thinking about doing that. Since it's a drain I don't expect the pressure to be great. If it is I can always insert a union and either cement a slip or use threaded.

A uniseal won't work for me since the holes have been cut for bulkheads.

[Vinny Kreyling]

Yes uniseal, thank you.
OR a "o" ring on both sides of the opening.

[sleepydoc]

+1 to the click clamps.

As far as the bulkheads go, the only connection you should leave un-cemented is the one that you don't mind leaking, so if you care if it leaks you should either cement it or find another method.

I used the click clamps - they are anchored to the back of my stand about 18" above the sump. The pipes come down through the clamps, do a 45º jog over and then down into the sump, so about 18" of vertical height and 6" of horizontal offset with a union immediately under the click clamp. I've had absolutely no problems with the pipes and most other setups I've seen are similar, so I doubt that a firm anchor at the sump is truly necessary.

Unseals are a potential option but make sure the hole is the right size for them.

[Johnseye]

Because I'm running spa-flex for a portion of this run from the wall to a pipe coming out of the sump I'll have sag. A secured connection into a bulkhead will eliminate that sag. I suppose it won't really matter if the pipe sags into the drain holes of the sump. I just don't like the idea of it being loose.

Thanks for the input