are the expensive "heavy duty" bulkheads worth the price?

marcrunner · 02/19/2007, 01:22 AM

Trying to figure out if they are worth it or not. They will cost me quite a bit more on my 300g setup. Anyone ever had the cheap ones fail?

rpeeples · 02/19/2007, 05:45 AM

I recently setup a 240 and my main tank required 13 bulkheads. 9 for my closed loop system and 4 for my drain and returns.

I used all sch 80 BH and although they cost a bit more up front I would never reccomend anything less.

The same can be said for plumbing using True Union Ball valves and Union Valves. Theses are indespensible. It allows you to service or replace equipement without tearing down an entire section of plumbing.

The number one priority for me is for the tank to hold and maintain water and sch 80 BH give me this added security. I have had 1/2" regular BH crack on a auto-top off container and I can't imagine if this happened on a main tank.

Good luck with your 300.

Ron

nyvp · 02/19/2007, 07:14 AM

total waste of time and money. I used sch 80 through out my system and there is no need for it. We arent using the psi that the white fittings are rated for. Its all the usual overkill theory. Dont waste your money use the true union from lowes or savko and spend your money somewhere else.only thing I would buy sch 80 are bulkheads.

nyvp · 02/19/2007, 08:37 AM

sorry didnt read well. Yes bulkheads are worth it fittings are not

klasiksb · 02/19/2007, 08:43 AM

Never had a problem with regular cheaper bulkheads.

brad23 · 02/19/2007, 09:28 AM

I don't know anyone who has had a problem with the sch 40 bulkheads ever.

Janina · 02/19/2007, 10:10 AM

I used the "lightweight" bulkheads from savko.com instead of the schedule 80 and I had one crack on installation, one crack 5 months later for no apparent reason and third one leak shortly after that. I would NEVER use them again. The extra cost upfront is well worth the piece of mind and cost/hassle you would have later when they cheaper ones crack.

sjm817 · 02/19/2007, 10:22 AM

I've used the regular ones for years. Never had an issue either. If you are using a RR tank, that's all that will fit anyway. If you are drilling, then you can use the sched 80 with bigger holes.

hoover86 · 02/19/2007, 11:46 AM

Sch 80 is not just for higher PSI ratings. The rubber seals on them are also better made. If you have a leak on a sch 40 bh it is pretty easy to overtighten it and cause problems. Sch 80 bh's are more durable and have thicker better seals, so they can take some more abuse and perform better.

As far as the rest of the fittings you use, to me that's up in the air. I went with sch 40 unions and have not been very happy with them. The rubber seals are very small, and they often pop out. IMO you can get by with sch 40's, but they take a little extra care and attention. They will deffinetly save you money in a larger system such as the one you are planning. Plumbing, however, especially in a closed loop, is something not easily replaced. Take careful planning in that especially. It would be no fun to drain half of a 300 gal tank if there were problems with a CL.

wonk · 02/20/2007, 12:03 AM

I'd vote for the best bulhead you can get (ie spears). bulkheads are arguably the most important pluming part you put on your tank because in order to change one out you need to drain! The price difference isn't even worth the second though IMHO. I used the standards until my most recent an will never go back.

mcrist · 02/20/2007, 10:06 AM

I have a bunch of the cheaper schedule 40 bulkheads that cracked in my old tanks. I would never use schedule 40 bulkheads to protect a large quantity of water or for holes drilled in the bottom of the tank.

I look at this way, if my 450 gallon display tank leaked I would probably be looking for a good divorce lawyer. I think thatâ€™s a small price to pay for the added security.

klasiksb · 02/20/2007, 11:39 AM

For those that have had sch. 40 bulkheads crack, has it been while glueing/screwing into it or long after?

I can't see why they would crack after the fact unless your beating on your plumbing.

stevebla · 02/20/2007, 11:52 AM

I spent $22 for a 1.5 inch Hayward bulkhead and have no regrets it is the only hole in my tank so far and the gasket and quality are worth it.

mcrist · 02/20/2007, 12:00 PM

I've had them crack after months of use and during installation. Maybe I had some fittings too tight and then they finally gave way but I won't take the chance anymore.

Once I was working under the tank and bumped the fitting with my back and then I got soaked.

Having a leak that can cause thousands of dollars in damage just isnâ€™t worth saving a few dollars. I used 15 heavy duty bulkheads and I should never need to replace them. Sure it costed more but I decided a long time ago that cheaper is almost never better in the long run.

mcrist · 02/20/2007, 12:02 PM

One note I never glue anything to my bulkheads. I want to be able to reuse them if I made a mistake.

marcrunner · 02/20/2007, 12:31 PM

WHat kind of bulkeads does savko use? are they the spears brand. They carry Hayward unions that seem to be good. Thanx for all of the feed back. I just priced all of the plumbing minus regular fittings and pvc . It comes in at right under 200$. Not bad for a 400 gallon system---Marc

02/19/2007, 01:22 AM	#1
marcrunner Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Folsom Posts: 309	are the expensive "heavy duty" bulkheads worth the price? Trying to figure out if they are worth it or not. They will cost me quite a bit more on my 300g setup. Anyone ever had the cheap ones fail?

02/19/2007, 08:43 AM	#5
klasiksb Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: wisconsin Posts: 1,281	Never had a problem with regular cheaper bulkheads. __________________ Just a girl looking to build a little piece of heaven on earth, without killing it!

02/19/2007, 09:28 AM	#6
brad23 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bloomington IL Posts: 2,959	I don't know anyone who has had a problem with the sch 40 bulkheads ever. __________________ Ye old English Current Tank Info: 75g reef

02/19/2007, 10:22 AM	#8
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	I've used the regular ones for years. Never had an issue either. If you are using a RR tank, that's all that will fit anyway. If you are drilling, then you can use the sched 80 with bigger holes. __________________ - Scott

02/19/2007, 11:46 AM	#9
hoover86 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rockledge FL Posts: 388	Sch 80 is not just for higher PSI ratings. The rubber seals on them are also better made. If you have a leak on a sch 40 bh it is pretty easy to overtighten it and cause problems. Sch 80 bh's are more durable and have thicker better seals, so they can take some more abuse and perform better. As far as the rest of the fittings you use, to me that's up in the air. I went with sch 40 unions and have not been very happy with them. The rubber seals are very small, and they often pop out. IMO you can get by with sch 40's, but they take a little extra care and attention. They will deffinetly save you money in a larger system such as the one you are planning. Plumbing, however, especially in a closed loop, is something not easily replaced. Take careful planning in that especially. It would be no fun to drain half of a 300 gal tank if there were problems with a CL. __________________ -Josh-

02/19/2007, 05:45 AM	#2
rpeeples Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: NC Posts: 643	I recently setup a 240 and my main tank required 13 bulkheads. 9 for my closed loop system and 4 for my drain and returns. I used all sch 80 BH and although they cost a bit more up front I would never reccomend anything less. The same can be said for plumbing using True Union Ball valves and Union Valves. Theses are indespensible. It allows you to service or replace equipement without tearing down an entire section of plumbing. The number one priority for me is for the tank to hold and maintain water and sch 80 BH give me this added security. I have had 1/2" regular BH crack on a auto-top off container and I can't imagine if this happened on a main tank. Good luck with your 300. Ron

02/19/2007, 07:14 AM	#3
nyvp Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hollywood Florida Posts: 3,633	total waste of time and money. I used sch 80 through out my system and there is no need for it. We arent using the psi that the white fittings are rated for. Its all the usual overkill theory. Dont waste your money use the true union from lowes or savko and spend your money somewhere else.only thing I would buy sch 80 are bulkheads.

02/19/2007, 08:37 AM	#4
nyvp Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hollywood Florida Posts: 3,633	sorry didnt read well. Yes bulkheads are worth it fittings are not

02/19/2007, 10:10 AM	#7
Janina Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Coventry, CT Posts: 354	I used the "lightweight" bulkheads from savko.com instead of the schedule 80 and I had one crack on installation, one crack 5 months later for no apparent reason and third one leak shortly after that. I would NEVER use them again. The extra cost upfront is well worth the piece of mind and cost/hassle you would have later when they cheaper ones crack.

02/20/2007, 12:03 AM	#10
wonk Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 256	I'd vote for the best bulhead you can get (ie spears). bulkheads are arguably the most important pluming part you put on your tank because in order to change one out you need to drain! The price difference isn't even worth the second though IMHO. I used the standards until my most recent an will never go back.

02/20/2007, 10:06 AM	#11
mcrist Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania Posts: 1,598	I have a bunch of the cheaper schedule 40 bulkheads that cracked in my old tanks. I would never use schedule 40 bulkheads to protect a large quantity of water or for holes drilled in the bottom of the tank. I look at this way, if my 450 gallon display tank leaked I would probably be looking for a good divorce lawyer. I think thatâ€™s a small price to pay for the added security.

02/20/2007, 11:39 AM	#12
klasiksb Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: wisconsin Posts: 1,281	For those that have had sch. 40 bulkheads crack, has it been while glueing/screwing into it or long after? I can't see why they would crack after the fact unless your beating on your plumbing. __________________ Just a girl looking to build a little piece of heaven on earth, without killing it!

02/20/2007, 11:52 AM	#13
stevebla Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: N. California Posts: 116	hayward bulkhead I spent $22 for a 1.5 inch Hayward bulkhead and have no regrets it is the only hole in my tank so far and the gasket and quality are worth it.

02/20/2007, 12:00 PM	#14
mcrist Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania Posts: 1,598	I've had them crack after months of use and during installation. Maybe I had some fittings too tight and then they finally gave way but I won't take the chance anymore. Once I was working under the tank and bumped the fitting with my back and then I got soaked. Having a leak that can cause thousands of dollars in damage just isnâ€™t worth saving a few dollars. I used 15 heavy duty bulkheads and I should never need to replace them. Sure it costed more but I decided a long time ago that cheaper is almost never better in the long run.

02/20/2007, 12:02 PM	#15
mcrist Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania Posts: 1,598	One note I never glue anything to my bulkheads. I want to be able to reuse them if I made a mistake. __________________ Mark Current Tank Info: 450 Gallon Peninsula

02/20/2007, 12:31 PM	#16
marcrunner Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Folsom Posts: 309	WHat kind of bulkeads does savko use? are they the spears brand. They carry Hayward unions that seem to be good. Thanx for all of the feed back. I just priced all of the plumbing minus regular fittings and pvc . It comes in at right under 200$. Not bad for a 400 gallon system---Marc