Custom In-Wall 150 Project

[rdmpe]

As long as there was a coating of glue all the way around both pieces, you will be fine I'm sure. I used a lot of "drain" fittings which only have about 1/2" deep sockets for the connection and I don't have any leaks at all. I'm not the neatest PVC craftsman, that's for sure. I tend to go with the attitued that I want to see glue dripping all over the place... But like I said earlier, our systems are such low pressure that I would be shocked if I had any leaks.

I also like to have well placed threaded joints in my plumbing so that I can take it apart if I need to without having to actually cut a pipe. It's not if I'll have to tear it apart for something, it's when.

 

[conda]

Darn, I did it again. Came up 1/4" short. Maybe I am using too much glue.

I only coat one piece. Should I coat both?

 

[gkarshens]

yep

 

[conda]

I just went and reread Melev's post on the other page. I forgot and only glued the one piece and not the fittings. I'm not scraping what I did so far, but will do this from now on.

 

[conda]

The heck with this. I just glued a 45 wrong and ruined the one overflow. Now have to purchase another 1.5" union and Ball Valve. Now I'm really ticked.

 

[mcdonaldtj]

Ahhhhh the fun of doing your first plumbing job LOL. Pretty soon you are going to be a plumber, electrician , light expert, and chemist all in one LOL.

 

[hammerhead]

Wait until your done then you will say oh I should have done this lol.

 

[conda]

I just tore all the plumbing out. The setup I did will not work. I need something more simple since I cannot glue to save my life. The OM 4-way is killing me.

 

[hammerhead]

Here is my SS plumbing looks like crap but it works. I should have used less 90's oh well.

 

[melev]

Conda, try to glue in sections, rather than in sequence. That way as you glue, you can align how the pipe goes to the next part.

Although I know you are getting some practice now, you might just try gluing a couple of pieces together into a coupling that has nothing to do with your tank. That way you can get a feel for how it works, and be able to see inside the pipe to judge your connections and see how things are going together.

I usually glue all the stuff that is straight-forward, then save the worst and most important connection for last. This works out well.

Btw, do NOT spill the purple primer on your sump. The acrylic will craze (micro cracks) and you'll be very upset. Cover your sump with a thick towel perhaps. I couldn't believe it when I spilled the can of purple primer on my gorgeous sump the day it was installed. I was disgusted to say the least.

 

[rdmpe]

If you used threaded ball valves and threaded unions, it is easier to tear things apart and reconfigure. Just realize that plumbing can take quite a while and you have to take your time and try to visualize it and plan ahead. And try not to get too frustrated You'll get it set up eventually. I think I worked on my plumbing for months... It's like a big 3D puzzle where you have to custom trim each piece to fit...

 

[conda]

Conda, try to glue in sections, rather than in sequence. That way as you glue, you can align how the pipe goes to the next part.

I was doing that. The overflow seemed to be easy until I glued the 45 wrong. Before I started I had the whole return setup how I wanted it. Then I marked each piece with a Sharpie so I knew how to reconnect it once I had it off. Well, the 45 I messed up did not have a long enough line. When I pushed the pipe in, the line disappeared!

I took everything down. I'm going to redo it all and just plumb the overflow and return first. Then worry about the 4-way last. The Barracuda is just so big, I really have no place to put it but under the tank and on one side.

Now I'm worried about glueing into a bulkhead. If I mess that up I am really screwed. I'm thinking of using some extension with a threaded end so I do not mess any of them up.

Thanks for all the input, it does help.

Back to the drawing board.

 

[bheron]

Hang in there Conda!! You'll get it.

PS - dont take this the wrong way, but what's happening to you is what I feared would happen to me. So I decided not to deal with CLs or anything like that. With that said, if you can figure it out, you'll be much happier with your flow than you would be with a simpler setup. Good luck!

 

[Lcattin]

Your new room looks great. I know how forgetful I am about things like not turning something off in time so when I set up my RO unit I bought a auto-shutoff/float kit along with one of Rubbermaid's really heavy duty Brute 44 gallon trash cans. Drilled a hole and mounted the float and a couple of holes in the lid to run vinal tubing through. Added a pump in the bottom. When I am not filling containers with RO water the business end of the hose goes back into the trash can to keep the ro circulated. I haven't had an overflow yet.

Keep up the good work.

 

[conda]

Your new room looks great. I know how forgetful I am about things like not turning something off in time so when I set up my RO unit I bought a auto-shutoff/float kit along with one of Rubbermaid's really heavy duty Brute 44 gallon trash cans. Drilled a hole and mounted the float and a couple of holes in the lid to run vinal tubing through. Added a pump in the bottom. When I am not filling containers with RO water the business end of the hose goes back into the trash can to keep the ro circulated. I haven't had an overflow yet.

Keep up the good work.

Sounds like a good idea. Got any pics?

 

[rdmpe]

...
Now I'm worried about glueing into a bulkhead. If I mess that up I am really screwed. I'm thinking of using some extension with a threaded end so I do not mess any of them up....

I tried to buy threaded bulkheads/valves/unions but where I had slip parts, I usually glued threaded fittings on. The Lowes by me has some shorter threaded adaptors that helped where I was really tight on space. Those may be useful for you also.

Just take your time and don't get frustrated. Just about everyone seems to do their plumbing over two or three times... I know I have. :rollface:

 

[Lcattin]

I'll see if I can take some for you tonight when I get home from work.

 

[melev]

Originally posted by conda Now I'm worried about glueing into a bulkhead. If I mess that up I am really screwed. I'm thinking of using some extension with a threaded end so I do not mess any of them up.

Thanks for all the input, it does help.

Back to the drawing board. [/B]

Glue in the straight piece into the bulkhead, then glue in a union. Then continue. That way no matter what you ever have to do in the future, you can remove it at the union and not affect the bulkhead.

That being said, I look at bulkheads as disposable items. Whenever I redo the plumbing, the old one comes out and is tossed out to be replaced with a new one. I'm wierd that way.

Still, the more unions you end up using, the greater flexibility you'll have to rotate the next section to the proper alignment. Spaflex might be worth using after all, at least in trouble areas. Remember, you can soften it up by placing it in the oven at 200F for 5 minutes. Then remove it carefully, shape it how you need it to be, and cool it in that position. In my case, I needed a straight section from the pre-rounded pipe, so I laid it flat on a smooth surface and put weights over it to keep it straight, and about 30 minutes later it was ready to install. You can cool it in a tub full of cool water if you like.

Try to look at each good connection as an individual victory. That way you won't be discouraged. You can win, win, win like your favorite football or basketball team. You may have a few losses, but cheerleaders are there to help raise your spirits again. :fun4:

 

[conda]

I like the union idea. That might have saved me.

So, should I start at the overflow bulkheads and work my way to the sump and fuge? Or glue it all first?

 

[melev]

Since I don't want to drip on anything other than disposable newspaper, build and glue what you can away from the tank. This even allows you to wash out entire sections with a garden hose or in the bathtub to remove any potential toxins. Then glue the final joint in place.