To Glue or not to Glue

[mbrady]

I have two bulkheads in my sump for the overflow plumbing. I will be using the Bean Animal overflow set up and plan on connecting the syphon PVC pipe to one and the open channel PVC pipe to the other.
My question is do I glue / cement the PVC piping into the bulkheads? I will have a union connections aprox 3-4 inches away on both to be able to remove the sump in the future if needed.
It seems like a no brainer glue it together you don't want it to leak at the bulkhead.

Thanks for help.
Mike

 

[mcgyvr]

You don't need to glue the parts inside the overflow box but you certainly want to glue the ones on the outside of that..
aka if joint is submerged..no biggie..
if joint is in air where a leak means your floor,etc.. gets wet.... glue it..

 

[laverda]

I would not glue it myself, but hard to really say without knowing your system is set up. Pics?

 

[mbrady]

A picture of the two bulkheads in the Sump.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/138165990@N06/38256415566/in/dateposted-public/

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

I'd glue those fittings. They're not submerged and subject to leak in a way that would really suck.

 

[mcgyvr]

A picture of the two bulkheads in the Sump.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/138165990@N06/38256415566/in/dateposted-public/

ok now I understand..
You do not need to glue the pipe into the actual bulkhead..
Water would need to wick up to leak out at that connection and I don't see that happening here....
But everything else should be glued..

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Normally I would agree but with the top plate of the sump flush with the sides, any leak at all is just going to run on to the floor. With the unions there's no reason to not glue.

That said, the only reason to have the unions is because of the bulkheads. If the pipe was just hanging free instead of fixed to the sump, you wouldn't need unions. And honestly I can't figure out why there are bulkheads. There's no reason for a watertight seal on a top plate like that. There's really no reason for the plate at all, either. Maybe a eurobrace to support the wall of the sump but it doesn't need to encompass the drain lines.

I'm sorry to the OP if I am sounding harsh but this sump looks like a classic example of design that looks cool instead of design that is functional.

 

[Lsufan]

I would glue it into the union but u should be able to get away without gluing it into the bulkhead. If it leaks it would be inside of the bulkhead so it would go into the sump. Although how u have it setup u aren’t going to be able to pull the pipe out of the bulkhead without removing the lid, so there may not be a point in not gluing it.

If u have a reason for not gluing it then I would try it without & it will more then likely be fine. If u don’t have a reason then glue it & u will just have to leave the pipe & that part of the union on the lid when u clean it or whatever

 

[mbrady]

No, offense taken “der Wille”. The sump is from Synergy Reef (model SS-34). The compartment containing the filter sock holders is only patricianly sealed at the top. I can remove the bullheads at any time if I choose too. Would you suggest I remove the bulkheads and simply extend the pvc pipe directly through the empty bulkhead hole in to the sump. I just thought it looked neat and clean with bulkheads

 

[Member No. 1]

Glue

Glue

Better off gluing. Reason being, even though the water isn't under pressure like a return pump, you will get salt creep around where the pipe meets the bulkhead.
I have a Trigger Ruby sump on my 80gal and with the drain pipes "pushed" in, I get a lot of salt creep.
On my new 120gal build running a Synergy CL-34, the pipes will be glued in.
This was one item on my "If I ever do over list"!

 

[mcgyvr]

glue or don't but IMO leave the bulkheads..
As is they are serving a mechanical purpose by supporting the pipe so its not just dangling there..

 

[Member No. 1]

glue or don't but IMO leave the bulkheads..
As is they are serving a mechanical purpose by supporting the pipe so its not just dangling there..

+1
What he said!

 

[laverda]

I would have plumbed it with super flex and eliminated all the elbows and unions. much easier to move around if needed.

 

[mbrady]

Thank you all for your comments.
I appreciate all of the different views. In the vain of being safe and dry vs sorry and wet, I will glue the pipes into the bulkheads. Yes, the PVC pipe will be permanently attached to the bulkheads but I could always replace the bulkheads in the future.

Mike

 

[mcgyvr]

Thank you all for your comments.
I appreciate all of the different views.

yes some are just more "playing it safe" than others..
Usually with "internet help" an answer that is "playing it safe" is the best as many of the details/specifics,etc... aren't available to us..

The picture was very helpful..

We should all remember to provide as much information as possible when asking for help to get the greatest chance of getting the "best answer"..