Adding a drain to a Brute - How?

Ratpack · 09/29/2008, 02:03 PM

I want to use a Brute trash can as a SW mixing and storage container, so I want to add a pipe or whatever to the bottom so it is easy to drain into buckets. I have heard uniseals work, but not available locally. What other options do people use to do this?

Thanks!

chimmike · 09/29/2008, 02:27 PM

Simple bulkheads available from marine supply stores should do it..........and just silicone the snot out of 'em to seal them.

reign · 09/29/2008, 02:43 PM

uniseals are way cheaper and work on rounded surfaces..order some through aquatic ecosystems...unless you want make it a lil more complicated....bulkheads do have their place dont get me wrong..

Ratpack · 09/29/2008, 03:05 PM

I don't mind using uniseals, but to get a couple they are going to cost due to shipping and min fees.

reign · 09/29/2008, 03:15 PM

I guess Im just used to getting 5or six at a time and some cool supplies to justify it...

hyperfocal · 09/29/2008, 03:46 PM

I'd trust a uniseal over a bulkhead on a curved surface, even if you do "silicone the snot out of 'em to seal them"

It's worth the shipping costs to do it right, imo.

Jeff · 09/29/2008, 04:02 PM

I used a schedule 80 bulkhead on my brute with no silicone and I have never had a leak.

reign · 09/29/2008, 04:17 PM

BTW You are not supposed to silicone the snot out of a bulkhead when used correctly(on a flat surface)..kinda defeats the point of a bulkhead...

stugray · 09/29/2008, 05:02 PM

I second the:

"I used a schedule 80 bulkhead on my brute with no silicone and I have never had a leak."

You just cant get it to the very bottom where it begins to curve ( on the side that is ).

Stu

goslugsgo · 09/30/2008, 09:58 AM

I used a bulkhead as well. I recommend securing the PVC, though.

Chrsnwk · 09/30/2008, 01:14 PM

a brute trashcan although "round" is adequately mushy (technical term) for even the cheapest budget bulkhead fittings to flatten out locally more than enough for proper sealing without resorting to silicone. I have been doing this for years, and never once had a leak.

Racing1 · 09/30/2008, 03:08 PM

I agree, no silicone needed. Use a regular bulk head and you will be fine. I have had mine for 3+ years and no leaks yet.

09/29/2008, 02:03 PM	#1
Ratpack Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 475	Adding a drain to a Brute - How? I want to use a Brute trash can as a SW mixing and storage container, so I want to add a pipe or whatever to the bottom so it is easy to drain into buckets. I have heard uniseals work, but not available locally. What other options do people use to do this? Thanks!

09/29/2008, 03:46 PM	#6
hyperfocal Spero Melior Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Edge of oblivion Posts: 1,711	I'd trust a uniseal over a bulkhead on a curved surface, even if you do "silicone the snot out of 'em to seal them" It's worth the shipping costs to do it right, imo. __________________ "Froth at the top, dregs at bottom, but the middle excellent." -- Voltaire Current Tank Info: 55gal acrylic (never again) SPS-dominated mixed reef. 150W Phoenix 14K bulbs on a dual Catalina ballast. DIY Skimmer. Koralias. DIY Kalk reactor.

09/29/2008, 04:02 PM	#7
Jeff Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 11,943	I used a schedule 80 bulkhead on my brute with no silicone and I have never had a leak. __________________ Always remember.... any time you reef, you also reef with every reefer that reefer has reefed with. Mitch 2/18/10 IWNFT343F Current Tank Info: 70 gallon frag & mixed reef

09/29/2008, 05:02 PM	#9
stugray Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Longmont, Co Posts: 4,567	I second the: "I used a schedule 80 bulkhead on my brute with no silicone and I have never had a leak." You just cant get it to the very bottom where it begins to curve ( on the side that is ). Stu __________________ Some people think that I have Attention Deficit Disorder. They just dont understand that........ Hey! Look a chicken! Well, We KNOW GOD exists, but for US to exist without a GOD is preposterous….Umm wait a minute…. Sounds a bit circular to me… Current Tank Info: 125 Gal. display w/80 gal mud/caulerpa sump. Basement sump w/ LED Grow Light,Gravity fed Reeflo200 skimmer w/ ORCA Recirc, DIY calc reactor & kalk stirrer. Inline plumbed 75 Gal frag/settling tank.

09/29/2008, 02:27 PM	#2
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 4,518 Blog Entries: 2	Simple bulkheads available from marine supply stores should do it..........and just silicone the snot out of 'em to seal them.

09/29/2008, 02:43 PM	#3
reign Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Albq.NM Posts: 522	uniseals are way cheaper and work on rounded surfaces..order some through aquatic ecosystems...unless you want make it a lil more complicated....bulkheads do have their place dont get me wrong..

09/29/2008, 03:05 PM	#4
Ratpack Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 475	I don't mind using uniseals, but to get a couple they are going to cost due to shipping and min fees.

09/29/2008, 03:15 PM	#5
reign Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Albq.NM Posts: 522	I guess Im just used to getting 5or six at a time and some cool supplies to justify it...

09/29/2008, 04:17 PM	#8
reign Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Albq.NM Posts: 522	BTW You are not supposed to silicone the snot out of a bulkhead when used correctly(on a flat surface)..kinda defeats the point of a bulkhead...

09/30/2008, 09:58 AM	#10
goslugsgo Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Erie, CO Posts: 677	I used a bulkhead as well. I recommend securing the PVC, though.

09/30/2008, 01:14 PM	#11
Chrsnwk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 630	a brute trashcan although "round" is adequately mushy (technical term) for even the cheapest budget bulkhead fittings to flatten out locally more than enough for proper sealing without resorting to silicone. I have been doing this for years, and never once had a leak.

09/30/2008, 03:08 PM	#12
Racing1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 741	I agree, no silicone needed. Use a regular bulk head and you will be fine. I have had mine for 3+ years and no leaks yet.