Plumbing a bulkhead

rffanat1c · 12/13/2017, 02:42 PM

So I am plumbing my new 180 and have four bulkheads. The return side is no problem. Its the drain side I need help with. All bulkheads are barbed and I can’t figure out how the heck I am going to bend such large braided tubing for the drains.

Can I slip pvc on the inside of the larger bulkhead using transition cement or should I just use non braided tubing? My last tank I screwed on a pvc threaded piece and glued the rest. I now learned that is improper since its not meant for that even though it never leaked.

I’d prefer keeping it all flexible if I can. Thanks.

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lapin · 12/13/2017, 03:24 PM

The drain side does not have near the pressure as the pump side. It is ok to run non braided flex hoses with clamps to keep them form coming off the barb.

outy · 12/13/2017, 05:02 PM

important.

while you have them out of the tank, take the nut and rubber washer off and make sure you clean up the casting mark on he plastic where the rubber gasket sits.

many of mine have leaked until I clean that up.

ca1ore · 12/13/2017, 06:00 PM

Yeah, there's almost no pressure on the drains so no braided hose needed. BTW those barbed bulkheads that come with the ML tanks stink, to put it mildly. If you put any lateral torque on the barb (by trying to bend the hose) they'll snap off.

billdogg · 12/13/2017, 06:37 PM

Personally, I would replace them with real bulkheads so that you can plumb them properly and be done with it.

rffanat1c · 12/13/2017, 09:41 PM

Thanks for the info. They are from aqueon but probably same stuff. I messed with them pretty hard in my last tank with no issues.

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12/13/2017, 02:42 PM	#1
rffanat1c Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Kenosha, WI Posts: 693	Plumbing a bulkhead So I am plumbing my new 180 and have four bulkheads. The return side is no problem. Its the drain side I need help with. All bulkheads are barbed and I can’t figure out how the heck I am going to bend such large braided tubing for the drains. Can I slip pvc on the inside of the larger bulkhead using transition cement or should I just use non braided tubing? My last tank I screwed on a pvc threaded piece and glued the rest. I now learned that is improper since its not meant for that even though it never leaked. I’d prefer keeping it all flexible if I can. Thanks. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12/13/2017, 06:00 PM	#4
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Yeah, there's almost no pressure on the drains so no braided hose needed. BTW those barbed bulkheads that come with the ML tanks stink, to put it mildly. If you put any lateral torque on the barb (by trying to bend the hose) they'll snap off. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

12/13/2017, 06:37 PM	#5
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Personally, I would replace them with real bulkheads so that you can plumb them properly and be done with it. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

12/13/2017, 03:24 PM	#2
lapin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Austin Posts: 801	The drain side does not have near the pressure as the pump side. It is ok to run non braided flex hoses with clamps to keep them form coming off the barb.

12/13/2017, 05:02 PM	#3
outy Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: auburn CA Posts: 4,021	important. while you have them out of the tank, take the nut and rubber washer off and make sure you clean up the casting mark on he plastic where the rubber gasket sits. many of mine have leaked until I clean that up.

12/13/2017, 09:41 PM	#6
rffanat1c Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Kenosha, WI Posts: 693	Thanks for the info. They are from aqueon but probably same stuff. I messed with them pretty hard in my last tank with no issues. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk