Plumbing question

[cplawrence]

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.

 

[ramseynb]

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.

 

[cplawrence]

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?

 

[thegrun]

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.

 

[hkgar]

If you do glue to the bottom of the bulkhead, then you will want to use a union after the bulkhead.

 

[thearsalan1]

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.

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[on the spot]

...My understanding is that it is ideal to glue pvc into the bulkheads...(or revert to threaded fittings which I had been hoping to avoid).

Your understanding is flawed. The bulkheads become a liability when you glue things into them. Murphy and what not.

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.

 

[Drblakjak55]

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.

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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


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