wanted, thoughts on bulkheads

[matt]

So I grabbed a 150dd tank only. It came with four 1" holes in the bottom for a closed loop (2 we're factory), two 1" in the overflow on a the back wall, and one 1.5" closed loop intake on the back wall.

 

I'm still on the fence about using the closed loop or sealing it up. I'm not sure how best to plumb the closed loop for low maintenance and I'm not sure what pump would be optimal for configurations, reliability, and really quiet.

 

So back to bulkheads. Should I use schedule 40 or 80? Any real difference in the useful life? Also, should I used slip/slip, or slip/thread if I'm going to seal some things up? Where should I get a bulkhead wrench in case I need to tighten down the road while tank is up?

 

What would you do? Where is the best place to find the right fittings you might describe?

[fishgate]

Schedule 40 is fine. But schedule 80 has a larger diameter so depending on your holes, you might need to go with 80. No difference in life. I always go slip/slip. Threaded leaks frequently. Use PVC compression fittings for ease of removal. For the bukhead wrench, you don't need to tighten much more than hand tight. But a large pair of plyers should allow you to snug it enough to prevent any leaks. I get most of my plumbing parts from Amazon. Local big-box stores rarely have anything and LFS screw you on price.

 

Oh I'd seal up those bottom holes if they are not in an overflow.

[matt]

Schedule 40 is fine. But schedule 80 has a larger diameter so depending on your holes, you might need to go with 80. No difference in life. I always go slip/slip. Threaded leaks frequently. Use PVC compression fittings for ease of removal. For the bukhead wrench, you don't need to tighten much more than hand tight. But a large pair of plyers should allow you to snug it enough to prevent any leaks. I get most of my plumbing parts from Amazon. Local big-box stores rarely have anything and LFS screw you on price.

 

Oh I'd seal up those bottom holes if they are not in an overflow.

 

Thanks, I should probably re-measure the holes to know exactly what I'm working with in case either sch 40 or sch 80 is really required. I'm leaning towards sealing things up other than the DIY overflow...which I think I'll turn into a herbie. Wish I could find bulkheads locally that would work....I'm always more certain of fit when I'm measuring something in the store.

 

What kind of life do people feel they get from their gaskets and should I be shopping for something specific to get good gaskets?

 

Btw, here is the tank:

Edited July 28, 2015 by matt

[Rob A]

I used to use threaded bulkheads so that I could reuse them or modify piping if need be but I ALWAYS seem to make them too tight and they end up cracking on me days or weeks later. Now I only use slip on the outside of the tank. Sometimes threaded on the inside to screw in lock line.

[zygote2k]

Here's my take-

I do lots of tank plumbing jobs and don't recommend anyhting less than glued connections whenever possible. If you need to repair glued pipe, you cut out the broken piece and replace with a new piece. 

I only use slip connection bulkheads for use on the actual aquarium. Threaded bulkheads are fine where they are easily accessed and serviced.

Schedule 80 is typically used in high traffic areas or in commercial settings. It's simply unnecessary overkill to use S80 for the average hobby tank. 

 

If your particular tank came from the guy in Annandale/fairfax area, I believe those are standard Schedule 40 bulkheads.

 

All of these items are easily found at BRS.

[sethsolomon]

thats a sick closed loop layout.  totally closed loop it!

 

 

Also use unions after every bulkhead so you can investigate your plumbing if a clog arises somewhere.

[matt]

I used to use threaded bulkheads so that I could reuse them or modify piping if need be but I ALWAYS seem to make them too tight and they end up cracking on me days or weeks later. Now I only use slip on the outside of the tank. Sometimes threaded on the inside to screw in lock line.

 

Thanks, I appreciate those insights. Nothing beats experience in these situations...and mine is relatively limited with these decisions.

 

Here's my take-

I do lots of tank plumbing jobs and don't recommend anyhting less than glued connections whenever possible. If you need to repair glued pipe, you cut out the broken piece and replace with a new piece. 

I only use slip connection bulkheads for use on the actual aquarium. Threaded bulkheads are fine where they are easily accessed and serviced.

Schedule 80 is typically used in high traffic areas or in commercial settings. It's simply unnecessary overkill to use S80 for the average hobby tank. 

 

If your particular tank came from the guy in Annandale/fairfax area, I believe those are standard Schedule 40 bulkheads.

 

All of these items are easily found at BRS.

 

Rob, thanks...similar to above...really appreciate the insights as I know you've done a bunch of set ups. Sounds like S40 is fine...and I have his old bulkheads tucked away which (I think) are S40 anyway. This tank came from further south...had to drive a ways to get it. Will remeasure just to be sure and then order something up.

 

thats a sick closed loop layout.  totally closed loop it!

 

 

Also use unions after every bulkhead so you can investigate your plumbing if a clog arises somewhere.

 

yeah, it seems pretty cool. I'm just not sure I need to go closed loop...and I'm not sure how easily I could hide the returns if I put, say, a 45-degree off the bulkhead or something. All the return holes are near the edges, so I probably wouldn't hide them with any main parts of the rockwork. If you have advice on how to make the closed loop work though.... :-)

 

So I don't know if I'll get a jawfish...but I had a crazy idea that I'd leave a 6" pipe on one of those front holes and keep it open inside the tank. That would let a jawfish use the hole in the tank as a hidey-hole. I have no idea if that would cause major problems and likely leaks. Anyone else? But, it could be cool to "help" a blue spot or pearly stake out a spot I'm more likely to see him regularly.

Edited July 28, 2015 by matt

[yauger]

If you have a need for hard to find pvc parts heck out PVCFittingsOnline.com great prices and the selection is excellent.

[s2nhle]

How about patching them with a thick glass and silicon or bottom euro brace since they are close to the edge.

[sethsolomon]

yeah, it seems pretty cool. I'm just not sure I need to go closed loop...and I'm not sure how easily I could hide the returns if I put, say, a 45-degree off the bulkhead or something. All the return holes are near the edges, so I probably wouldn't hide them with any main parts of the rockwork. If you have advice on how to make the closed loop work though.... :-)

 

So for closed loop to work you basically will need an external pump and 4 gate valves to even the flow.   As for hiding the return just buy some cheap Florida honeycomb rock and drill through them.  glass drill bits work well for this.  A reef flow barracuda  would probably be an optimal pump.