shorten length of a bulkhead?

[Capt_Cully]

Building the Beananimal overflow. The plumbing sticks out a good 6" from the back of the tank. Is it possible, or a bright thing to do, to trim off say an inch of the length of the bh to reduce that distance? I mean its all basically PVC anyway, right?

 

[KPearce]

ive done it with no problems just be patient with it so you dont mess up the threads to bad. Nice sharp hacksaw did the trick for me.

 

[tropills]

Hey mark, just install the bulkhead backwards ... put the threads on the inside of the tank.. instant 3 inches of room out the back of the tank... no cutting needed..

 

[Capt_Cully]

Hey mark, just install the bulkhead backwards ... put the threads on the inside of the tank.. instant 3 inches of room out the back of the tank... no cutting needed..

I considered that, but then the street el 90's inside the overflow box wont fit. I mean they may just make it. But I had the box made so that the 90's can be removed in case of a clog.

 

[tropills]

Well in that case, yes you can cut them off shorter.. just make sure the inside of the bulkhead is the same size all the way through.. I know some manufacturers put a step in theirs about a inch up in the threaded side...

 

[Capt_Cully]

Yeah there is one at an inch and a quarter up but its very slight and shouldn't pose a big issue.

 

[tropills]

Then get the saw my friend...and cut it off...

 

[low riderr]

if you can put a nut on the bulkhead first then do the cutting,you then remove the nut and it cleans the threads for ya. just a thought good luck

 

[Capt_Cully]

Thanks guys. As long as you think it won't harm the structural integrity of them, I'm going to save myself an inch and chop em. Probably going to build a support for the plumbing off of the back of the stand so it's entire weight, filled with water, won't have to rely completely on the shortened BHs.

 

[jacksonpt]

the glass holes site sells a standard bulkhead and a short one. they recommend buying the standard then cutting it as needed. if they suggest cutting then I'm sure you'll be fine. a clean cut is probably the most important part.

 

[SkiFletch]

Chop away Cully. Since our overflow bulkheads aren't under any pressure, it's not a problem to make em shorter. Did you get threaded or slip ones?

 

[Capt_Cully]

Slips Mike. Thoughts on how short is too short?

 

[jacksonpt]

for peace of mind, I wouldn't cut below the nut. I would dry fit it, mark 1 or 2 threads longer than the nut needs and cut there.

 

[iamwrasseman]

check out the glass holes short units for overflows ,they have some at ABC reefs to compare