My Bulkheads and PVC

[EvMiBo]

I bought my tank from a local and it's in great condition. It came with all the internal overflow plumbing and bulkheads. Although, there is still pvc connected to the bottom parts of the bulkheads that he just cutoff (seem to be glued in). Is there a way to get the pvc out or do I need to get new bulkheads?

Thanks

[AZDesertRat]

If its glued in its there permanently. Thats why I only use thread by thread bulkheads, its easy to replumb or reuse them over and over.

[EvMiBo]

hmm well it sounds like I need new bulkheads. thanks aj.

[kdblove_99]

Agree, I only use the threadxthread bulkheads

[horsefarm5]

I just replaced 2 bulkheads for the same reason. Get the threaded

[EvMiBo]

Originally posted by horsefarm5
I just replaced 2 bulkheads for the same reason. Get the threaded

yup thats what I plan on doing thanks everyone.

edit: will lowes have what I'm looking for? Or would I have better luck on an online vendor?

[amstar]

i have never seen the type of bulkheads for tanks at lowes or home-depot.

online is the best place to find them

[Dino]

You won't find real bulkheads at any of your standard hardware stores. I read a thread on here not too long ago about somebody making one out of electrical parts but since they're fairly cheap anyhow might as well just order them online. There are several places that sell them, check out glass-holes.com and Bulk Reef Supply.

[sailfintang]

ACE Hardware sells bulkheads but for the price they charge it is not worth it unless you are in a bind. I would either see if your LFS has them and inf ont it is off to the internet.

[EvMiBo]

Ok, bare with me, I've never done this before. Well there are 2 holes in my overflow. One of the holes (used for the durso) has a diameter of 1 3/4" and the other has a diameter of 1 1/2" (return). BUT, the larger hole (durso) has PVC that is 1 1/4" and the return has PVC that is 1". I assume this is normal?

So what I need to get is a 1 3/4" bulkhead and a 1 1/2" bulkhead, correct?

edit: wait a sec.. "1 inch" bulkhead on BRS "work well with 40mm drill bit" --- 40mm (= ~1.75") --- so I need to get a 1" and maybe a "3/4" bulkhead (35mm = 1 3/8" across) for the return bulkhead..?

Why do they call it a 1" bulkhead and then it works for a 1 3/4" hole? Annoying.

[AZDesertRat]

Bulkheads are sized by the inside diameter or the pipe size not by the outside diameter. You need a 1.25" and a 1". Not all brands of bulkheads are the same outside diameter but I saw a thread here a few days ago with a link to a site that listed diameters of common bulkheads, don't know where it is at the moment but you could do a quick search for bulkhead in the last week or so and it should come up.

[EvMiBo]

Thanks AJ, figured everything out

[reverendmaynard]

If there's enough pipe left on the bulkheads, you could just glue your new plumbing to the old pipe.

[EvMiBo]

Originally posted by reverendmaynard
If there's enough pipe left on the bulkheads, you could just glue your new plumbing to the old pipe.

One of them has enough room for a coupling. The other is too close ... I'll probably just get two new ones threaded on the bottom so I can keep using them if I ever need to for another tank, etc.

[reverendmaynard]

Gotta do what you gotta do.

[EvMiBo]

Sure do, thanks for the help everyone. Now I know my bulkheads

[Jay180reef]

It's easier to figure out what size bulkhead when you have a few small pieces of different size pvc pipe. Just slide in the pipe into the bulkhead to see which one fits. The common sizes used for main tank plumbing are 1", 1 1/2", 2". Other ones that are common for small accessories are 1/2", 3/4". I find it harder to find parts for 1 1/4".