Glue pipe to bulkhead return

Daddyrawg · 03/29/2021, 01:53 PM

Should I glue my return pipe into bulkhead that the lock line is connected to?
I'm referring to back of tank where the return lines end in the 3/4" bulkhead

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Vinny Kreyling · 03/29/2021, 04:38 PM

Only time not to glue is inside the overflow box.

Timfish · 03/30/2021, 07:19 AM

If it's a slip fitting, yes. You don't want it pulling loose over time. FWIW I always use bulkhead fittings that are threaded on both sides then use a threaded to slip fitting to glue pipe too, it makes it a lot simpler when time comes to move the system. I also try to avoid haveing the nut of a bulkhead fitting on the inside where stuff will grow on it making it impossible to undo.

Sk8r · 03/30/2021, 01:25 PM

My rule is: if underwater don't glue; if not underwater, threading and teflon tape preferred, but glue ok. I have had to replace my bulkhead connectors because of a leak due to age of the connector seal, and I was very glad to have threaded, not glued fittings.

MondoBongo · 04/01/2021, 10:40 AM

i glue most things, like sk8r said, that are outside of the water.

i'll leave myself a tail on the bulkhead of a few extra inches if i can spare it, in case i need to cut and reglue or something. but generally bulkheads are cheap enough, and if you're going to be messing with them it's a perfect time to just replace them with new anyways.

i used to use threaded connectors and unions and valves a lot more to promote "loose coupling" (hi, software engineer here), but i just didn't end up making enough changes to these setups over time to justify the time and cost.

glue it well, and sleep tight knowing that's one less place it can leak from.

Daddyrawg · 04/01/2021, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MondoBongo

i glue most things, like sk8r said, that are outside of the water.

i'll leave myself a tail on the bulkhead of a few extra inches if i can spare it, in case i need to cut and reglue or something. but generally bulkheads are cheap enough, and if you're going to be messing with them it's a perfect time to just replace them with new anyways.

i used to use threaded connectors and unions and valves a lot more to promote "loose coupling" (hi, software engineer here), but i just didn't end up making enough changes to these setups over time to justify the time and cost.

glue it well, and sleep tight knowing that's one less place it can leak from.

Thanks, I'm gluing like you said

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03/29/2021, 01:53 PM	#1
Daddyrawg Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 814	Glue pipe to bulkhead return Should I glue my return pipe into bulkhead that the lock line is connected to? I'm referring to back of tank where the return lines end in the 3/4" bulkhead Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

03/29/2021, 04:38 PM	#2
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Only time not to glue is inside the overflow box. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

03/30/2021, 07:19 AM	#3
Timfish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,985	If it's a slip fitting, yes. You don't want it pulling loose over time. FWIW I always use bulkhead fittings that are threaded on both sides then use a threaded to slip fitting to glue pipe too, it makes it a lot simpler when time comes to move the system. I also try to avoid haveing the nut of a bulkhead fitting on the inside where stuff will grow on it making it impossible to undo. __________________ "Our crystal clear aquaria come nowhere close to the nutrient loads that swirl around natural reefs" Charles Delbeek

03/30/2021, 01:25 PM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	My rule is: if underwater don't glue; if not underwater, threading and teflon tape preferred, but glue ok. I have had to replace my bulkhead connectors because of a leak due to age of the connector seal, and I was very glad to have threaded, not glued fittings. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

04/01/2021, 10:40 AM	#5
MondoBongo Obligate Feeder Obsessed Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,061	i glue most things, like sk8r said, that are outside of the water. i'll leave myself a tail on the bulkhead of a few extra inches if i can spare it, in case i need to cut and reglue or something. but generally bulkheads are cheap enough, and if you're going to be messing with them it's a perfect time to just replace them with new anyways. i used to use threaded connectors and unions and valves a lot more to promote "loose coupling" (hi, software engineer here), but i just didn't end up making enough changes to these setups over time to justify the time and cost. glue it well, and sleep tight knowing that's one less place it can leak from. __________________ [Citation Needed] "You don't use science to show that you're right, you use science to become right" - xkcd Current Tank Info: A rectangular shaped money pit.