Drain pipe on overflow problem

1biguncfan · 07/29/2013, 05:38 PM

So I am in the middle of a leak test now. I filled up the tank sump and overflows. My problem is that the drain pipes on both sides, one a little worse than the other, float up out of the bulkhead they fit down into. How can I fix this problem? The lady I got the tank from just had them pushed down into the top of the bulkhead. But I had to get new bulkheads and now I have this issue. Thanks!

1biguncfan · 07/29/2013, 06:24 PM

Basically my question is does anyone cement their drain pipes into their bulkheads inside of their overflow box? This would be a pain if I ever needed to take it apart for any reason but I dont see any other choice

RJT · 07/29/2013, 06:46 PM

I don't cement any PVC. I used clamps to secure them

1biguncfan · 07/29/2013, 07:00 PM

Even inside your overflow box? I hadn't thought about doing that. Itd be kinda hard to get down in there to tighten the clamp but I guess its possible.

Touring · 07/29/2013, 07:04 PM

Are you tightening the plastic nuts underneath to hold them in place?

1biguncfan · 07/29/2013, 07:12 PM

Yes, the bulkhead is perfect. No leaks under the tank. The problem is inside the overflow box where the drain pipe of the overflow isn't snug enough when I slide it into the top of the bulkhead inside the overflow box. So when theres water in it, it eventually slides up out of the bulkhead and all my water in the overflow box drains really fast into the wet/dry

nlgill13 · 07/29/2013, 07:27 PM

have you tried twisting the pipe into the bulkhead?

1biguncfan · 07/29/2013, 07:30 PM

Yeah its completely down into the bulkhead. Its just too lose and it floats up out of the bulkhead. Like the bulkhead is just a hair too large

1biguncfan · 07/29/2013, 07:30 PM

Is glueing it not a good idea?

Twistofer · 07/29/2013, 07:41 PM

Several things come to mind.

1) When you installed the bulkheads, did you dry fit the parts? You've found out how important it is to dry fit everything. I hate to say it, not all bulkheads are created equal. You could uninstall the bulkhead, take it to your local hardware store and see if there is an adapter to fit both the bulkhead and the drainpipe. You could also build your own drainpipe.

2) I don't recommend cementing the bulkhead to the drainpipe. I've had the bad experience where a fish got caught in the drainpipe. It would have been a real pia if the drainpipe was cemented in. Also, don't use plumber's putty to seal the pipe into the bulkhead.

3) Depending on how much space there is around the drainpipe, a silicone O ring might work.

4) Unlike pipe cement, aquarium silicone is not as permanent as some may think. You could try a very thin layer just around the bottom of the drain pipe and letting it set until it's tacky. Then carefully, gently insert the drain pipe into the bulkhead

RJT · 07/29/2013, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1biguncfan

Even inside your overflow box? I hadn't thought about doing that. Itd be kinda hard to get down in there to tighten the clamp but I guess its possible.

Not in the overflow box.

Sometimes the hole and bulkhead are not a complete match. I have used a thin layer of silicon glue around the outside bulkhead.

1biguncfan · 07/29/2013, 07:48 PM

Ok. Ill try to silicon. Ive gotta redo the plumbing on my drain hoses under the tank too. Ive got a leave on both of them. (dual overflows) My lines that connect to the pump were perfect. I used teflon tape when screwing the fittings into the bottom of the bulkheads. Not sure what went wrong...

Twistofer · 07/29/2013, 07:53 PM

After tightening your connections by hand, GENTLY tighten about 1/8 - 1/4 of a turn more with a crescent wrench. Also, when winding teflon tape, overlap each turn by 1/2 the width of the tape; it provides a better seal.

1biguncfan · 07/29/2013, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twistofer

After tightening your connections by hand, GENTLY tighten about 1/8 - 1/4 of a turn more with a crescent wrench. Also, when winding teflon tape, overlap each turn by 1/2 the width of the tape; it provides a better seal.

Thanks! I was really hoping for no leaks

Couldve been worse I guess

Fizz71 · 07/30/2013, 08:58 AM

Just a few suggestion...if I'm understanding the problem..

If you don't want to silicone or buy a new bulkhead you could always cement a small adapter in place....

Either a slip to threaded or even a slip to slip (union). That way only a few inches of pvc is cemented in place and the rest can be removed.

Just be warned that a slip to thread will reduce your max flow rate because the threaded area has a smaller ID. I used to have a wet side threaded bulkhead so I could screw the drain pipe out but it did reduce the flow. Now I have all slip but the connections are snug enough without any cement.

Also...if the connection is just a LITTLE loose you could consider a little pvc cement but not connect it until it's completely dry. The thin layer of cement might give it that little bit of extra thickness to get grab you need....I've never tried id...It's just something that came to my head as I was typing this.

jimmyj7090 · 07/30/2013, 10:51 AM

So this is a slip bulkhead that's just a hair too lose, right?

If so, how about a wrap of teflon tape around the end of the pipe. It won't make for a perfect seal (which doesn't really matter here) but it'll be enough to tighten the fit and keep it in place.

07/29/2013, 05:38 PM	#1
1biguncfan Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 186	Drain pipe on overflow problem So I am in the middle of a leak test now. I filled up the tank sump and overflows. My problem is that the drain pipes on both sides, one a little worse than the other, float up out of the bulkhead they fit down into. How can I fix this problem? The lady I got the tank from just had them pushed down into the top of the bulkhead. But I had to get new bulkheads and now I have this issue. Thanks!

07/29/2013, 07:41 PM	#10
Twistofer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Montana Posts: 371	Several things come to mind. 1) When you installed the bulkheads, did you dry fit the parts? You've found out how important it is to dry fit everything. I hate to say it, not all bulkheads are created equal. You could uninstall the bulkhead, take it to your local hardware store and see if there is an adapter to fit both the bulkhead and the drainpipe. You could also build your own drainpipe. 2) I don't recommend cementing the bulkhead to the drainpipe. I've had the bad experience where a fish got caught in the drainpipe. It would have been a real pia if the drainpipe was cemented in. Also, don't use plumber's putty to seal the pipe into the bulkhead. 3) Depending on how much space there is around the drainpipe, a silicone O ring might work. 4) Unlike pipe cement, aquarium silicone is not as permanent as some may think. You could try a very thin layer just around the bottom of the drain pipe and letting it set until it's tacky. Then carefully, gently insert the drain pipe into the bulkhead __________________ See what is; See what is not; Find the True Way ...The Buddha Current Tank Info: 120 gal New Build Coming Soon Last edited by Twistofer; 07/29/2013 at 07:44 PM. Reason: More Info

07/29/2013, 07:53 PM	#13
Twistofer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Montana Posts: 371	After tightening your connections by hand, GENTLY tighten about 1/8 - 1/4 of a turn more with a crescent wrench. Also, when winding teflon tape, overlap each turn by 1/2 the width of the tape; it provides a better seal. __________________ See what is; See what is not; Find the True Way ...The Buddha Current Tank Info: 120 gal New Build Coming Soon

07/30/2013, 08:58 AM	#15
Fizz71 FragSwapper Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Lawn, PA Posts: 5,800	Just a few suggestion...if I'm understanding the problem.. If you don't want to silicone or buy a new bulkhead you could always cement a small adapter in place.... Either a slip to threaded or even a slip to slip (union). That way only a few inches of pvc is cemented in place and the rest can be removed. Just be warned that a slip to thread will reduce your max flow rate because the threaded area has a smaller ID. I used to have a wet side threaded bulkhead so I could screw the drain pipe out but it did reduce the flow. Now I have all slip but the connections are snug enough without any cement. Also...if the connection is just a LITTLE loose you could consider a little pvc cement but not connect it until it's completely dry. The thin layer of cement might give it that little bit of extra thickness to get grab you need....I've never tried id...It's just something that came to my head as I was typing this. __________________ --Fizz Current Tank Info: Current system is 8x2x2 240g peninsula setup with a single "chamber" 100g sump in the basement with an RDSB. All corals are 100% home grown from frags of fellow reefers (low natural reef impact).

07/30/2013, 10:51 AM	#16
jimmyj7090 aka John K Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sudbury Posts: 2,367	So this is a slip bulkhead that's just a hair too lose, right? If so, how about a wrap of teflon tape around the end of the pipe. It won't make for a perfect seal (which doesn't really matter here) but it'll be enough to tighten the fit and keep it in place. __________________ my reef ate my wallet Current Tank Info: 57G, RBTA's Zoa's and softies

07/29/2013, 06:24 PM	#2
1biguncfan Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 186	Basically my question is does anyone cement their drain pipes into their bulkheads inside of their overflow box? This would be a pain if I ever needed to take it apart for any reason but I dont see any other choice

07/29/2013, 06:46 PM	#3
RJT Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 769	I don't cement any PVC. I used clamps to secure them

07/29/2013, 07:00 PM	#4
1biguncfan Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 186	Even inside your overflow box? I hadn't thought about doing that. Itd be kinda hard to get down in there to tighten the clamp but I guess its possible.

07/29/2013, 07:04 PM	#5
Touring Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Panhandle Posts: 724	Are you tightening the plastic nuts underneath to hold them in place?

07/29/2013, 07:12 PM	#6
1biguncfan Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 186	Yes, the bulkhead is perfect. No leaks under the tank. The problem is inside the overflow box where the drain pipe of the overflow isn't snug enough when I slide it into the top of the bulkhead inside the overflow box. So when theres water in it, it eventually slides up out of the bulkhead and all my water in the overflow box drains really fast into the wet/dry

07/29/2013, 07:27 PM	#7
nlgill13 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Boulder,CO Posts: 1,291	have you tried twisting the pipe into the bulkhead?

07/29/2013, 07:30 PM	#8
1biguncfan Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 186	Yeah its completely down into the bulkhead. Its just too lose and it floats up out of the bulkhead. Like the bulkhead is just a hair too large

07/29/2013, 07:48 PM	#12
1biguncfan Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 186	Ok. Ill try to silicon. Ive gotta redo the plumbing on my drain hoses under the tank too. Ive got a leave on both of them. (dual overflows) My lines that connect to the pump were perfect. I used teflon tape when screwing the fittings into the bottom of the bulkheads. Not sure what went wrong...