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04/06/2018, 08:27 PM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 3
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Plumbing question
I have been in the hobby for several years, but had been using a hob overflow. I finally replaced that tank with a reef-ready version with drains on the bottom. My understanding is that it is ideal to glue pvc into the bulkheads. However, what is unclear is how can I install the bulkhead with the pipe attached? If I glue a short piece of pipe with a union fitting to the bulkhead, I would not be able to fit it through the hole. The only way I can see making that work is to install the bulkhead with a vertical piece of pipe, install the bulkhead, and then glue the union afterward (or revert to threaded fittings which I had been hoping to avoid).
Is this correct, or am I missing something obvious. Thank you in advance. |
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04/06/2018, 08:50 PM
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#2 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: New Braunfels, TX
Posts: 630
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Are you talking about on the bottom of the bulkhead? If so, I like to use a thread to slip adapter so that I can remove it from the bulkhead. It's the only threaded PVC I would use. If you're talking about the top of the bulkhead, then you don't need to glue anything.
__________________
How do you make an octopus laugh? Ten tickles! |
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04/07/2018, 09:59 AM
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#3 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 3
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In terms of getting everything to fit, yes, I meant the bottom of the bulkhead. With the thread to slip adapter, are you suggesting I should use a threaded bulkhead instead?
As for the top of the bulkhead, I understand it would not be necessary (or even desirable) to glue the drain pipe, but I had thought it was best to glue the return pipe to the top of the bulkhead? |
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04/07/2018, 11:31 AM
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#4 |
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Registered Member
 Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Garden Grove, Ca
Posts: 17,023
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I agree. I like to use a threaded bulkhead so that it can be tightened easily in the future if necessary. Be sure to use a for PVC pipe joint compound (not Teflon tape) at the threaded connection. For the return use a double threaded bulkhead so you can thread both sides.
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04/07/2018, 02:17 PM
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#5 |
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Registered Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Dewitt MI
Posts: 5,051
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If you do glue to the bottom of the bulkhead, then you will want to use a union after the bulkhead.
__________________
Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels |
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04/07/2018, 02:29 PM
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#6 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 29
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I’d never glue anything to the bulkheads, you’ll hate yourself for doing so when it comes time to move/breakdown tank/replace bulkhead etc.
I recommend getting the ribbed bulkheads and use a small price of flex tube, then another ribbed fitting to pvc on the other end. This’ll make your life way easier down the line.  Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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04/07/2018, 03:43 PM
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#7 | |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: West Michigan
Posts: 1,010
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Quote:
thegrun gave sound advice - use threaded bulkheads with paste sealant. I'd also seal the drain pipe. but I usually have "stuff" in there that I want to keep wet. |
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04/07/2018, 06:08 PM
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#8 | |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 183
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Quote:
What I see in this picture is what I ended up doing with the rather unique 1 and three quarter inch bulkheads coming out of the Eschops overflow box. Rubber clamped tight. Two One and a half inch overflow pipes carry a lot of water Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk |
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