Bulkhead preferences?

[cparka23]

Newbie reef DIYer, here. I was wondering if it makes a difference for reefkeeping between using a slip vs a threaded bulkhead. Has anyone experienced salt creep in one more than the other, or is it just a matter of how it's all put together?

I'm planning a refugium and am going to run the return pump externally through the side. I was about to select a bulkhead from Savko and noticed that the hole sizes are different for the slip vs. the threaded varieties. Just want to make sure I do this right before I drill that hole.

Thanks in advance for the input.

 

[Rockitmakr]

Similar post on this subject recently. All a matter of personal opinion, I personally like the slip ones more. Salt creep tends to find it's way through threads, IMO.
:beer:

 

[RicGio]

Each has it's own pro's and con's. The threaded ones are reusable but do seem to eventually "creep". Slips are a nice solid joint, but are not reusable and if you screw up gluing it...it's trash.

 

[energy_crisis]

Any difference between sch40 and sch80? I know I've read about it somewhere so this might be a good place to bring it up again.

Also, the smooth part of the gasket against the glass or flange?

 

[Rockitmakr]

No need for the 80 in this hobby.......
:beer:

 

[DevilBoy]

the gasket goes against the glass on the inside of the tank

 

[Acrylics]

There is a big difference between SCH40 and Sch80 and I'd recommend Sch80, Sch80 fittings have better threads, made from better materials, have better gaskets, better quality control, just plain better. How many leaky Sch40 bulkheads do you hear about? vs how many leaky Sch80 bulkheads? How many cracked bulkheads? I've heard of exactly one person crack a Sch80 bulkhead and that was by (way) overtightening a fitting into it. I'm sure there have been more but the fact that it doesn't happen often at all speaks volumes IMO Downsides to Sch80 are that they are always gray, cost more, and some think they are bulky/ugly.

IIRC on Sch40 bulkhead gaskets, the smooth side goes against the flange.

HTH,
James

 

[impur]

I used threaded bulkheads and every single one of them leaks where the PVC fitting screws into the bulkhead. I used teflon tape and had to also smother the threads with silicon. After finally getting no leaks i decided it wasn't real safe and put plugs in the bulkheads and don't even use my CL i drilled the tank for.

Go with slip.


Oh yah, they were Sch 80 bulkheads.

 

[SushiChef]

You've NEVER had a working threaded bulkhead? Is this a common problem? Can anybody else relate?

 

[Rockitmakr]

For some reason, I was thinking about the PVC & not the bulkheads when I answered the SCH 40 or 80 question, my bad. You don't need 80 for the PVC though, you will be wasting your money using it for your plumbing IMHO.
:beer:

 

[draleigh]

I used the 40's on my tank and i have no problems. I also used slip because i didn't want to take the chance of leaks. I agree that it is junk if you screw up the glueing, but just take your time and dry fit everything . Good luck

 

[BeanAnimal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9318530#post9318530 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DevilBoy
the gasket goes against the glass on the inside of the tank

Not exactly. The gasket goes between the glass and the flange. The flange side of the bulkhead can go inside or outside of the tank. The gasket never goes between the glass and the nut.

 

[BeanAnimal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9321156#post9321156 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SushiChef
You've NEVER had a working threaded bulkhead? Is this a common problem? Can anybody else relate?

Yes this is VERY common. The bulkheads are many times not threaded very well at all. They are 2 piece castings usually and the threads are simply not formed well. The threads on many PVC fittings are also very poorly formed (due to poor casting and mass production). You will find some that are designed to accept tapered thread, and others that are not. You can easily SPLIT the bulkhead trying to get it to seal. Teflon tape can actually make matter worse. Teflon pipe dope is your best bet in a situation like this.

 

[maxima k2]

For my last tank I went to a store called Rain for Rent, The had the best bulkhead as far as strenght goes. THey are on the ugly/ bulky side, but I was never able to make one split or leak. The flange is a hexagon shape and came with an EPDM gasket. Oh BTW the inch and a half version was about 10 dollars and they had every size you would need.

 

[Acrylics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9322760#post9322760 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by maxima k2
For my last tank I went to a store called Rain for Rent, The had the best bulkhead as far as strenght goes. THey are on the ugly/ bulky side, but I was never able to make one split or leak. The flange is a hexagon shape and came with an EPDM gasket. Oh BTW the inch and a half version was about 10 dollars and they had every size you would need.

If these were black, the brand name is Banjo and were made from polypropylene, will always be T x T. If they were gray, the brand is Hayward and will always be threaded body with threaded or slip flange side. Both are good brands IMO. Another good one is Spears which AFAIK the only Sch80 bulkhead that you can get in S x S. FWIW I've always used these 3 brands, never had any problems or leaks, the Banjo threads are bit rough, being polypro but work well.

James

 

[impur]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9322253#post9322253 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BeanAnimal
Yes this is VERY common. The bulkheads are many times not threaded very well at all. They are 2 piece castings usually and the threads are simply not formed well. The threads on many PVC fittings are also very poorly formed (due to poor casting and mass production). You will find some that are designed to accept tapered thread, and others that are not. You can easily SPLIT the bulkhead trying to get it to seal. Teflon tape can actually make matter worse. Teflon pipe dope is your best bet in a situation like this.

My dad told me teflon paste would have done much better, after the fact. Oh well, someday i'll empty it down and replace em.

 

[cparka23]

Wow.. thanks for all the input. Very much appreciated. I'll have to reweigh the comments again before starting. So many decisions to make.