Plumbing the sump...threaded vs gluing

Canuck007 · 03/23/2014, 06:15 PM

So I was thinking that if I use threaded plumbing for the pipes over the sump tank area than if I ever need to take something out or be able to reuse ball valves etc it would be possible. I would still glue all the lines that go to the return/DT etc...

I'm just redoing my sump plumbing for the new tank and I feel like all the plumbing parts that I have from my previous tank can't be used as they were all glued in etc...I know it's not a huge amount of money but it adds up when you are talking about unions and ball valves etc....

or is this a bad idea??

Bgcoop8784 · 03/23/2014, 06:36 PM

I use some of both, mainly because I do things last minute and don't plan ahead like i should, normally whatever is in stock at lowe's, sometimes they have the slip fittings and are out of the threaded. Using all threaded on the more expensive fittings like the unions, ball valves, and gate valves is a good idea and does save you money if you have to re-arrange things later.

Canuck007 · 03/23/2014, 06:39 PM

thanks for the reply. yeah i'm a bit new to this hobby so I feel like that flexibility of threaded parts is nice as i may make some mistakes or need to rearrange plumbing if it's not working right.

Fishmommy · 03/23/2014, 06:42 PM

yep, consider adjustment/rearrangement, also anything that might clog or need maintenance should be threaded in. Consider also if you ever have to break down the tank make sure you can at least take the plumbing off the tank and out in sections.
Glued is nice and secure, so where you can don't be afraid to go glued. Threaded always risk leaking but it's a necessary evil in several spots in your plumbing.

Bgcoop8784 · 03/23/2014, 06:45 PM

if you looked at my plumbing, you'd see random couplings here and there, it's because I used slip(glue on) ball valves and unions, and when I made a mistake I had to cut it off and use a coupling instead of throwing it away. Another thing, use plenty of unions, I've never had a problem with them leaking, and they make it really easy to dis-assemble plumbing if you ever want to make a change or move something. Much easier to remove small sections of pipe and make changes than to have to remove the whole line.

Canuck007 · 03/23/2014, 06:46 PM

thanks for the reply.

so is it ok if i have flexible tubes that go up to a 90 degree barb fitting at the bulkhead for the return lines? so I would have the return line tee'd off to 2 bulkheads on the back panel of the tank instead of pvc pipe?

Bgcoop8784 · 03/23/2014, 06:50 PM

Flex is fine, and supposed to be more quiet. They make plastic hose clamps for them also, sometimes even the stainless ones will rust.

Canuck007 · 03/23/2014, 06:52 PM

ok sounds good. great advice all...

03/23/2014, 06:15 PM	#1
Canuck007 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 198	Plumbing the sump...threaded vs gluing So I was thinking that if I use threaded plumbing for the pipes over the sump tank area than if I ever need to take something out or be able to reuse ball valves etc it would be possible. I would still glue all the lines that go to the return/DT etc... I'm just redoing my sump plumbing for the new tank and I feel like all the plumbing parts that I have from my previous tank can't be used as they were all glued in etc...I know it's not a huge amount of money but it adds up when you are talking about unions and ball valves etc.... or is this a bad idea??

03/23/2014, 06:36 PM	#2
Bgcoop8784 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Augusta GA Posts: 234	I use some of both, mainly because I do things last minute and don't plan ahead like i should, normally whatever is in stock at lowe's, sometimes they have the slip fittings and are out of the threaded. Using all threaded on the more expensive fittings like the unions, ball valves, and gate valves is a good idea and does save you money if you have to re-arrange things later. __________________ "If it weren't for law enforcement and physics, I would be unstoppable!"

03/23/2014, 06:45 PM	#5
Bgcoop8784 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Augusta GA Posts: 234	if you looked at my plumbing, you'd see random couplings here and there, it's because I used slip(glue on) ball valves and unions, and when I made a mistake I had to cut it off and use a coupling instead of throwing it away. Another thing, use plenty of unions, I've never had a problem with them leaking, and they make it really easy to dis-assemble plumbing if you ever want to make a change or move something. Much easier to remove small sections of pipe and make changes than to have to remove the whole line. __________________ "If it weren't for law enforcement and physics, I would be unstoppable!"

03/23/2014, 06:50 PM	#7
Bgcoop8784 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Augusta GA Posts: 234	Flex is fine, and supposed to be more quiet. They make plastic hose clamps for them also, sometimes even the stainless ones will rust. __________________ "If it weren't for law enforcement and physics, I would be unstoppable!"

03/23/2014, 06:39 PM	#3
Canuck007 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 198	thanks for the reply. yeah i'm a bit new to this hobby so I feel like that flexibility of threaded parts is nice as i may make some mistakes or need to rearrange plumbing if it's not working right.

03/23/2014, 06:42 PM	#4
Fishmommy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: NH, USA Posts: 1,214	yep, consider adjustment/rearrangement, also anything that might clog or need maintenance should be threaded in. Consider also if you ever have to break down the tank make sure you can at least take the plumbing off the tank and out in sections. Glued is nice and secure, so where you can don't be afraid to go glued. Threaded always risk leaking but it's a necessary evil in several spots in your plumbing.

03/23/2014, 06:46 PM	#6
Canuck007 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 198	thanks for the reply. so is it ok if i have flexible tubes that go up to a 90 degree barb fitting at the bulkhead for the return lines? so I would have the return line tee'd off to 2 bulkheads on the back panel of the tank instead of pvc pipe?

03/23/2014, 06:52 PM	#8
Canuck007 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 198	ok sounds good. great advice all...