Barrel Bulkhead Union Mistake

Reef2Land · 01/05/2019, 09:53 PM

Now I'm not recommending anyone do this, but I keep accidentally cracking bulkheads at the shop. I had a customer scoop the last one up and ended up at a local hardware store where I found these Barrel Bulkhead Unions with EPDM washers. Has anyone ever used these? I was forced to and it seems like it might be the greatest bulkhead I've ever used. They're not as long as regular bulkheads and seem to fit more uniform with the tank. The thing could fly off which is why I'm wondering if anyone else has used them?

mcgyvr · 01/05/2019, 11:07 PM

Got a picture or link? Description alone is insufficient to know what you have..

Reef2Land · 01/08/2019, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Got a picture or link? Description alone is insufficient to know what you have..

Looks like this. I've never really seen one before. It's very low profile and so far so good. They're apparently made for farming barrels. It's a little scary it only hangs out the back about 3/4 of an inch if that lol

mcgyvr · 01/08/2019, 09:11 AM

ok.. Thats better..
Yes.. I am not sure why "aquarium" bulkheads are built the way they are.. (being so deep,etc...)
99% of the applications are used with wall thicknesses far less than what those cheap bulkheads can do..
Any I'd hope that no one in their right mind would use a cheap aquarium bulkhead on a 1+" thick wall anyways.

Nothing wrong with using those "non-reef" specific bulkheads as long as they are of quality construction/brand.. There is "cheap" everything out there now ..

I have used those and I even like using uniseals too vs bulkheads.. Uniseals have been very reliable for me so far too.. and I never need to worry about tightening torque,etc... with those..

cdhappy · 01/09/2019, 01:02 PM

Good to know, I've seen them before and wondered the same, thanks for posting.

ChronicReefH2o · 01/09/2019, 08:47 PM

These bulk head will work just fine, just make sure you have a seal or gasket to keep it from leaking and your golden.

Willistein · 01/10/2019, 12:56 PM

How are you cracking bulkheads? torquing the nut or torquing some other threaded fitting into them?
Those bulkheads look nice...and 3X pricey.

Reef2Land · 01/14/2019, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willistein

How are you cracking bulkheads? torquing the nut or torquing some other threaded fitting into them?
Those bulkheads look nice...and 3X pricey.

Haha 3x pricey, but if I crack 5 it's cheaper lol I don't really know. Not to sound "cliche" but I've been told I don't know my own strength. I can't tell how much pressure I'm putting on them. My version of when I feel even a small amount of resistance is probably cracked for most other people. I've been a weight lifter for a very long time.

Willistein · 01/15/2019, 08:37 AM

yeah, it can be tough to know when to stop.

I asked about what part cracked because a common mistake is to use teflon tape when installing threaded plastic fittings (the internal threads in your picture). It reduces friction making it easy to over-torque. Use a sealant meant for plastic pipe instead.

Finger tight plus one or two turns is all you need on plastic pipe.

The big hex nut is a different story because it is compressing a rubber gasket.

01/05/2019, 09:53 PM	#1
Reef2Land Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 51	Barrel Bulkhead Union Mistake Now I'm not recommending anyone do this, but I keep accidentally cracking bulkheads at the shop. I had a customer scoop the last one up and ended up at a local hardware store where I found these Barrel Bulkhead Unions with EPDM washers. Has anyone ever used these? I was forced to and it seems like it might be the greatest bulkhead I've ever used. They're not as long as regular bulkheads and seem to fit more uniform with the tank. The thing could fly off which is why I'm wondering if anyone else has used them?

01/05/2019, 11:07 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Got a picture or link? Description alone is insufficient to know what you have.. __________________ Who me?

01/08/2019, 09:11 AM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	ok.. Thats better.. Yes.. I am not sure why "aquarium" bulkheads are built the way they are.. (being so deep,etc...) 99% of the applications are used with wall thicknesses far less than what those cheap bulkheads can do.. Any I'd hope that no one in their right mind would use a cheap aquarium bulkhead on a 1+" thick wall anyways. Nothing wrong with using those "non-reef" specific bulkheads as long as they are of quality construction/brand.. There is "cheap" everything out there now .. I have used those and I even like using uniseals too vs bulkheads.. Uniseals have been very reliable for me so far too.. and I never need to worry about tightening torque,etc... with those.. __________________ Who me?

01/09/2019, 01:02 PM	#5
cdhappy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 27	Good to know, I've seen them before and wondered the same, thanks for posting.

01/09/2019, 08:47 PM	#6
ChronicReefH2o Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: South SoCal Posts: 61	These bulk head will work just fine, just make sure you have a seal or gasket to keep it from leaking and your golden.

01/10/2019, 12:56 PM	#7
Willistein Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wheatland, NY Posts: 2,585	How are you cracking bulkheads? torquing the nut or torquing some other threaded fitting into them? Those bulkheads look nice...and 3X pricey.

01/15/2019, 08:37 AM	#9
Willistein Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wheatland, NY Posts: 2,585	yeah, it can be tough to know when to stop. I asked about what part cracked because a common mistake is to use teflon tape when installing threaded plastic fittings (the internal threads in your picture). It reduces friction making it easy to over-torque. Use a sealant meant for plastic pipe instead. Finger tight plus one or two turns is all you need on plastic pipe. The big hex nut is a different story because it is compressing a rubber gasket.