Plumbing Question

I'm no expert but I think you may need to replace the bulkheads if you plan on plumbing with PVC. However, you can buy rubber boots that you fit with hose clamps. I used them to plumb in a solar heater that employed barbed fittings into my pools return line. You would just have to fit barbed fittings to your PVC lines and then use the short rubber boots to couple them to the barbed fittings on your bulkheads.
 
those are barbed bulkheads and as far as i can tell they are all one piece. there are 2 options. 1. uc an use a flex hose with clamps or 2 replace the bulkheads.
 
If you plan on hard plumbing the system, I would just replace the bulkheads. It will be more pleasing to the eye.
 
greene.phillip said:
So is option 2 from my last post the correct type of bulk head or are the slips better?
Click to expand...

For my setup I went with double slip bulkhead schedule 40 for my drains. I would rather trust my pvc glue ability vs threading. Schedule 80 might be overkill.
 
IMO if you want to hard plumb the system replace the bulkheads. Every fitting, adapter, coupler, union, ect adds a certain amount of restriction and flow loss. You will have to have a certain number of fittings in the system, but this is a case of less is more.

SCH80 Bulkheads & fittings are way overkill for our tanks. SCH80 is intended for high pressure applications. SCH80 also has a smaller internal diameter due to the thicker walls of the fittings & pipe. Take for example a 80 union vs a 40 one. You can use either pipe in both of the unions but the hole in the middle of the SCH80 union is smaller. This reduces overall flow.

SCH40 ABS bulkheads are perfectly fine to use and I personally have never encountered a problem with them. I think most problems are encountered with improper installation. Never use silicone, lubricant, glue, ect on the gasket or the nut. A simple hand tight then maybe a quarter turn is all that is needed to make them seal.

Happy Reefing!:dance:
 
Schedule 80 is overkill for reef plumbing in general, but there are no schedule 40 bulkheads (to my knowledge,) just schedule 80 and ABS. The ABS can be prone to cracking, so for the bulkheads getting Schedule 80 is reasonable. For the rest of the system, just use schedule 40 (white) PVC. It's cheaper and actually has a larger lumen in the pipes so you'll get better flow.

Regarding the bulkheads, I'd go with a slip fit and cement the pipe in place. The glue joints are more reliable than threaded joints IMHO
 
im no reef expert but I am a piping guy, I would stay away from hard piping in this situation or at least have some means of vibration control even just a few inches of tube should be enough. so use the same bulkheads and a few inches of tube off of each then the rest hard piping. what more info search vibration isolation in your preferred search engine.
 
Sorry forgot to subscribe the thread. Thanks for the information folks. An additional question regarding PVC pipe size. Is it correct to match the PVC size to the size the bulkhead allows or use bigger pipe with reducer?
 
i've always just used the size pipe that the bulk will allow. The idea is to have as few inside pipe alterations or transitions as possible. Plan your set up with the least amount of diameter reductions or expansions or 90 degree elbows as you possible can, keep it simple
 
the changing of pipe size is of little difference on the overflow side as the smallest size of pipe will determine the max amount of flow. But on the discharge side of the pump it may create more head pressure there bye derateing your pump due to the amount of head pressure it would have over come being increased. more water in the line more weight it would have to push through' but if your pump is really strong it probably hinder any thing. usually in real world applications piping increases from the pump not decrease.
 
I can't quite decipher the end. Are you replacing the bulkheads?

Anyhow, here's one more option for you I don't believe has been mentioned. You can use a short bridge of flexible hose attach the PVC, then go PVC all the way from there. Here's a pic of something I did on a 110 gal with barb ended bulkheads that would be close to it, except I went from barb - flexible hose - PVC - flexible hose - PVC :
D2E8D1D2.jpg
 
If memory serves the OD of the barb is close to the OD of 1" PVC. Like "Palting" you can use flexible hose on the barb and then use a PVC pipe on the other side with a hose clamp. This gives you some wiggle room.

For the return side I just use a barb on the pump and 3/4" ID flexible tube. It will not be high flow but keeps you near the range the overflow can accommodate.

I like to be able to take my sumps apart. The hose clamp is an easy way to be able to service a bulkhead in the future. If you glue an elbow to the bulkhead you will need to make cuts. (long story)
 
Last edited:
Palting said:
I can't quite decipher the end. Are you replacing the bulkheads?

Anyhow, here's one more option for you I don't believe has been mentioned. You can use a short bridge of flexible hose attach the PVC, then go PVC all the way from there. Here's a pic of something I did on a 110 gal with barb ended bulkheads that would be close to it, except I went from barb - flexible hose - PVC - flexible hose - PVC :
Click to expand...


I am replacing the bulkheads, already ordered them. I want valves/unions right at the bulkhead so if changes/repairs need to be made its easy to get it all out of the way. I am however going to do similar at the return pump to cut down vibration.
 
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