• Why not take a moment to introduce yourself to our members?

vanceny

Senior Member
Location
Woodside, Queens
Rating - 100%
17   0   0
From what I remember PVC caps or any PVC parts will not fit onto to the outside threads of the bulkhead unless the bulkhead came with the white nut. The threads are metric, I think. You will need to glue in a pvc pipe and then cap the pipe. Others I'm sure will chime in on this to confirm or shoot me down. :smash:
 

eoffrey

Experienced Reefer
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
You're right...the caps, as far as I know and have done on my tanks, will only slip onto the appropriate sized pvc pipe.
 

alrha

...
Location
Brooklyn
Rating - 100%
85   0   0
eoffrey said:
I think where the bulkhead and gasket are concerned, that more often than not, if they have a slight drip or the likes, they over OVER tightened. Not 100% sure, but, maybe try loosening it a bit? :::::shrug:::::
anyone know? and how do i loosen it? (without draining my sump into the living room).
eoffrey said:
Congrats on having it done. Can I see some pics of your plumbing?
um, sure, but i gotta just clean up a bit first as everything is messy now (embarassed). It's also a little pathetic as it looks like a nothing job and i made such a big deal about it.
 

alrha

...
Location
Brooklyn
Rating - 100%
85   0   0
vanceny said:
From what I remember PVC caps or any PVC parts will not fit onto to the outside threads of the bulkhead unless the bulkhead came with the white nut. The threads are metric, I think. You will need to glue in a pvc pipe and then cap the pipe. Others I'm sure will chime in on this to confirm or shoot me down. :smash:
that's what i was afraid of. and i take it i'll need to drain my sump to do so. if i have to drain the sump anyway, do i have any other (better) choices at sealing that hole?
 

alrha

...
Location
Brooklyn
Rating - 100%
85   0   0
guess i can just change it out for a threaded bulkhead and screw the cap on it.
does it make a difference if the part that sticks out goes inside or outside the sump?
i think i have a 1" bulkhead, but it seems there are different bulkheads depending on the size of the hole.
http://savko.com/PartList.asp?pictures=&pgid=2
1" (1 3/4" hole)
1" (1 7/8" hole)
1" (2" hole)
i guess mine is the "lightweight" 1-3/4" hole? and is that threaded going to be the same problem or when it says threaded, means that i can use a threaded cap on it?
 

alrha

...
Location
Brooklyn
Rating - 100%
85   0   0
would using larger pipes and fittings (say 1" instead of 3/4") using a 3/4"-1" adapter and then back to a 1"-3/4" help reduce head loss? of would using a larger pipe then the pump not allow enough pressure for the water to flow through? also being that it eventually has to go through a 3/4" bulkhead, would it even make a difference?
 

alrha

...
Location
Brooklyn
Rating - 100%
85   0   0
vanceny said:
You can use this to screw into the bulkhead and then put a pipe on the end with a cap. This way you can always unscrew it whenever you want. You can get this anywhere.

http://www.savko.com/partlist.asp?pgid=3&ptid=14&pid=102&part=436010
i have those, but my bulkhead is not threaded on the inside, it is slip, so i'd have to glue in a pipe with a cap glued to it (requiring me to drain my sump and waste more in-sump space).
 

vanceny

Senior Member
Location
Woodside, Queens
Rating - 100%
17   0   0
Here's what I did.
IMG_0427.jpg


I have slip bulkheads too. Its 2 adaptors the female and mail. Instead of the 'T' just cap it on the end.
 

eoffrey

Experienced Reefer
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Yeah, looks like you'll probably have to hyave a short piece of pipe and then slip the cap on. Plumbing looks great.....if you think yours is messy.....!!!!!

Beautiful dog, a samoyed? My family has a samoyed, just turned 1.
 

alrha

...
Location
Brooklyn
Rating - 100%
85   0   0
but why do the 2 adaptors instead of just gluing a capped pipe?
also, my bulkheads are the opposite of yours, they face INSIDE the sump (outside is the flush side)

That's not my pumbing, that is vance's.

thanks, mike (slamajama) gave us the samoyed (tonka), he just turned 10 on friday. he is just adorable.
 
Last edited:

alrha

...
Location
Brooklyn
Rating - 100%
85   0   0
I cant unscrew a male fitting from the female return bulkhead :supermad:, and i am stuck now with no return and no flow through my sump :headache:. my tank is just living off the tunze powerhead at this point (since 11:30 last night) :(.

I have the part i need (male to slip) to connect my pvc to the bulkhead, but cant get the damn fitting out so i can put the right one in :grumpy:.

it's always the last step that is the one that ruins everything :mad:. and it seemed like the easiest one, just uncrewing a fitting :irked:.
 

vanceny

Senior Member
Location
Woodside, Queens
Rating - 100%
17   0   0
Did you silicone the male fitting? If you have a wrench that would help alot. Just stablize the bulkhead while you turn the fitting. If you don't mind wasting the fitting then just glue in a 90 elbow and put in a pipe so you have leverage to turn it.
 

alrha

...
Location
Brooklyn
Rating - 100%
85   0   0
i didnt silicone it, just teflon tape.

wrench doesnt keep the whole bulkhead (and return pipe) from turning with the fitting.

cant glue anything to the fitting, the pvc was cut at the fitting so i can grab it from the bottom with my plyers
 

alrha

...
Location
Brooklyn
Rating - 100%
85   0   0
and that should hold the bulkhead by the threads while i use another to unscrew the fitting?
wont it crack the threads of the bulkhead?
i tried holding the fitting in the bulkhead with a rubber traction thingy (for opening jars) and unscrew the fiiting that is screwed onto that fitting, but i wouldnt budge.
 

bad coffee

Inept at life.
Rating - 100%
27   0   0
Yeah. you open the channel locks and slide them to the right size. They're made so you can grip large things and not have to have monster big hands. (think of a regular pair of pliers. if you grip something really big the handles are really far apart)

Wrap a rag around the threads. all you're doing is holding the bulkhead so it won't spin. The rag will protect the threads from the metal of the tool. I've got a couple of pairs if you want to borrow them. I can even show you how to use them.

Let me know.

B
 

Sponsor Reefs

We're a FREE website, and we exist because of hobbyists like YOU who help us run this community.

Click here to sponsor $10:


Top