Bulkheads--slip or threaded?

VerySharky · 06/30/2007, 04:38 PM

Hi guys,

I just got my 150-gallon drilled--the drain is 1.5", the return 1", and I'm wondering whether a slip or a threaded bulkhead is better for the standpipe and return pipe. Would I cement the pipes into slip bulkheads, or would it be better to just screw them in? And what type of fitting would I use to attach to the fitting underneath the tank? Sorry if I sound like a moron--lol--but I'm new to plumbing and it seems very confusing! Any help would be great! Thanks!

leebo_28 · 06/30/2007, 05:27 PM

my only experience is with 1.5 " threaded bulkheads. They are hard to seal on the exterior of the tank...pipe tape was useless. I ended up smothering it with silicone to seal it...I don't trust it though! I just didn't want to commit to using slip bulkheads and not having an option to use them again.

salmon alley · 06/30/2007, 07:09 PM

Gluing the PVC to the bulkheads (slip) is going to give you a more leak-proof seal, but as leebo mentioned, you'll lose flexibility to change the configuration, so know exactly how you want it before you glue.

If you go with threaded, my suggestion is to use soft set thread glue. I find it seals better than teflon tape and yet the fitting is still reuseable.

I've done both and prefer gluing pvc to slip fittings. I figure I spend so much in this hobby, if I have to spring for another $8 bulkhead, it's a drop in the bucket.

Good luck! HTH

reef_doug · 06/30/2007, 07:19 PM

If I was to do mine over again I would have gone with slip... just for the piece of mind factor. Allow enough room between the bulkhead and the ballvalve (if you are using one) inorder to cut the pipe in the event you need to remove the bulkhead.

Either way, use sch 80 bulkheads (cheap at Savko.com).

Summary, my recommendations:
1.5" bulkhead sch 80 Slip x Slip
1" bulkhead sch 80 Threaded x Slip (for return, I like threaded on the tankside for return and slip on the bottom).

aninjaatemyshoe · 06/30/2007, 07:36 PM

Go with slip and use a union right after the bulkhead (orient the union so that the female screw-in piece is on the side away from the bulkhead). This should allow you flexibility in changing the plumbing going from the bulkhead and even allow you to remove the bulkhead without having to cut anything. Of course this might lead you to having to replace the union itself depending upon your setup. They are typically slightly less expensive than bulkheads, but you can find them at Lowes or HD so you don't have to go to special sources and wait for them to come in by mail.

jjkief86 · 06/30/2007, 07:41 PM

If you are afraid of leaks then do slip. If you plan on moving or modifying you tank soon then do threaded.
I would do slip, for strength and reliability.

AZDesertRat · 06/30/2007, 07:46 PM

I much prefer threaded. Much easier to take apart if you move plus a light coating with a teflon stick and only hand tighten and they never leak. Remember, always put the rubber gasket on the flange side and not the nut side and hand tighten only and they should not leak. If you have to use silicone of teflon to make them seal in addition to the gasket you have other problems. Common mistakes are supporting the weight of piping with the bulkheads, holes that are not the proper size, ie too large so you have a small sealing surface and using silicone instead of a dry fit.

VerySharky · 06/30/2007, 09:21 PM

Thanks, guys, for the replies and great advice!

06/30/2007, 04:38 PM	#1
VerySharky Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Old Bridge, NJ Posts: 108	Bulkheads--slip or threaded? Hi guys, I just got my 150-gallon drilled--the drain is 1.5", the return 1", and I'm wondering whether a slip or a threaded bulkhead is better for the standpipe and return pipe. Would I cement the pipes into slip bulkheads, or would it be better to just screw them in? And what type of fitting would I use to attach to the fitting underneath the tank? Sorry if I sound like a moron--lol--but I'm new to plumbing and it seems very confusing! Any help would be great! Thanks! __________________ Now THAT'S scary Current Tank Info: 150 gallon FOWLR tank

06/30/2007, 05:27 PM	#2
leebo_28 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fl/Pa now Posts: 456	my only experience is with 1.5 " threaded bulkheads. They are hard to seal on the exterior of the tank...pipe tape was useless. I ended up smothering it with silicone to seal it...I don't trust it though! I just didn't want to commit to using slip bulkheads and not having an option to use them again. __________________ crayons go one drawer higher Current Tank Info: year 1/2 still new 90rr :(

06/30/2007, 07:09 PM	#3
salmon alley Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Balto/Washington Area Posts: 716	Gluing the PVC to the bulkheads (slip) is going to give you a more leak-proof seal, but as leebo mentioned, you'll lose flexibility to change the configuration, so know exactly how you want it before you glue. If you go with threaded, my suggestion is to use soft set thread glue. I find it seals better than teflon tape and yet the fitting is still reuseable. I've done both and prefer gluing pvc to slip fittings. I figure I spend so much in this hobby, if I have to spring for another $8 bulkhead, it's a drop in the bucket. Good luck! HTH __________________ "will spay for frags..." Current Tank Info: None currently, but researching for a new system

06/30/2007, 07:19 PM	#4
reef_doug Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Hesperia/Apple Valley Posts: 3,814	If I was to do mine over again I would have gone with slip... just for the piece of mind factor. Allow enough room between the bulkhead and the ballvalve (if you are using one) inorder to cut the pipe in the event you need to remove the bulkhead. Either way, use sch 80 bulkheads (cheap at Savko.com). Summary, my recommendations: 1.5" bulkhead sch 80 Slip x Slip 1" bulkhead sch 80 Threaded x Slip (for return, I like threaded on the tankside for return and slip on the bottom). __________________ "If you have more than one tank in your livingroom, you might be a reefneck" Current Tank Info: 180r SoCal Creations, 75g SCC1M Sump, WM EcoBAK, NextReef SMR1, TropicMarin Salt, ACIII, 3x250w HQI Phoenix 14k, 2x140w Super Actinics, ATi BM250, Eheim 1262, Tunze 2x6100+7095, Tunze Osmolator, 6 stage RODI w/ Spectrapure MaxCap

06/30/2007, 07:36 PM	#5
aninjaatemyshoe Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 2,333	Go with slip and use a union right after the bulkhead (orient the union so that the female screw-in piece is on the side away from the bulkhead). This should allow you flexibility in changing the plumbing going from the bulkhead and even allow you to remove the bulkhead without having to cut anything. Of course this might lead you to having to replace the union itself depending upon your setup. They are typically slightly less expensive than bulkheads, but you can find them at Lowes or HD so you don't have to go to special sources and wait for them to come in by mail. __________________ You are not brought upon this world to "get it"

06/30/2007, 07:41 PM	#6
jjkief86 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: bay area, ca Posts: 200	If you are afraid of leaks then do slip. If you plan on moving or modifying you tank soon then do threaded. I would do slip, for strength and reliability.

06/30/2007, 07:46 PM	#7
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	I much prefer threaded. Much easier to take apart if you move plus a light coating with a teflon stick and only hand tighten and they never leak. Remember, always put the rubber gasket on the flange side and not the nut side and hand tighten only and they should not leak. If you have to use silicone of teflon to make them seal in addition to the gasket you have other problems. Common mistakes are supporting the weight of piping with the bulkheads, holes that are not the proper size, ie too large so you have a small sealing surface and using silicone instead of a dry fit.

06/30/2007, 09:21 PM	#8
VerySharky Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Old Bridge, NJ Posts: 108	Thanks, guys, for the replies and great advice! __________________ Now THAT'S scary Current Tank Info: 150 gallon FOWLR tank