Plumbing overflows for dummies...help the dummy

Chihuahua6 · 10/07/2008, 10:07 PM

Okay I'm making progress. I will be ordering schedule 80 bulkheads for my drain and two returns.

Now what? Do I just glue pvc pipe to these bulkheads? The tank has a central overflow if that matters. The returns come up from the bottom of the overflow and there are two holes drilled in the overflow box for the returns. I imagine I will get lockline to come out but again what do I use at this junction?

I have read countless build threads but I never see explained what is connected to the bulkhead inside the overflow box.

Thanks for any help. Please don't laugh at me ; )

ilv4xn · 10/07/2008, 10:52 PM

I like the idea of threaded bulk heads so if you ever need to make any changes you can do it. I was dumb and bought slip bulkheads so now I have to glue threaded fittings to them

BeanAnimal · 10/08/2008, 07:36 AM

Threaded PCV fittings are a pain to work with. PVC is cheap enough... just use SLIP and Primer/Cement. You will have much less trouble.

There are MANY different overflow setups. Check my website (my red house) for one type. Also look (google or search here) for Durso, Stockman, Hoffer, etc. standpipes.

Chihuahua6 · 10/08/2008, 07:37 AM

Thanks for the info guys. I'll start my homework. I'm so excited to get this tank going!

AZDesertRat · 10/08/2008, 09:02 AM

I too much prefer threaded bulkheads, so easy to work with and you never have to cut things up if you have a leak or want to change things.
Here is a photo showing how I used 1" PVC for the return up to the top of the overflow box then converted to LocLine with two nozzles. May give you some ideas.

Here they are again from above

And here is a view from the front showing them just under the surface

I don't have a picture of the standpipe but its an older Stockman design using a piece of 1" PVC, a 2" PVC SxS coupling, a 2x1 SxS reducer bushing and a 1" slip plug. Took about 30 minutes to build and its silent.

sde219 · 10/10/2008, 08:19 AM

Bean,

I agree PVC is cheap and threaded anywhere other than the bulkhead is probably more hassle than it's worth but bulkheads aren't exactly a cheap expense in the plumbing world. It's easy enough to use a thread bulkhead and slip everywhere else right?

BeanAnimal · 10/10/2008, 10:28 AM

In most cases, the plumbing should be fairly permanent... Large (read expensive) bulkheads are usually threaded anyway. For the 1" and 1.5" versions, I prefer SLIP.

wardworld · 10/10/2008, 04:53 PM

btw, Bean great website

scaryperson27 · 10/10/2008, 10:41 PM

Slip is great anywhere except for the bulkhead. I run a Union valve near the bulkhead so that I never have to disturb the bulkhead and end up causing a leak.

BeanAnimal · 10/10/2008, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wardworld
btw, Bean great website

Thank you. I have a few projects in the works and some otehr gallery updates coming soon.

10/07/2008, 10:07 PM	#1
Chihuahua6 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Forest Hills, NY Posts: 2,131	Plumbing overflows for dummies...help the dummy Okay I'm making progress. I will be ordering schedule 80 bulkheads for my drain and two returns. Now what? Do I just glue pvc pipe to these bulkheads? The tank has a central overflow if that matters. The returns come up from the bottom of the overflow and there are two holes drilled in the overflow box for the returns. I imagine I will get lockline to come out but again what do I use at this junction? I have read countless build threads but I never see explained what is connected to the bulkhead inside the overflow box. Thanks for any help. Please don't laugh at me ; ) __________________ Amanda Current Tank Info: First salt tank 1985, current tank 150 g acrylic

10/07/2008, 10:52 PM	#2
ilv4xn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: portland OR Posts: 162	I like the idea of threaded bulk heads so if you ever need to make any changes you can do it. I was dumb and bought slip bulkheads so now I have to glue threaded fittings to them __________________ Don't force it. Get a bigger hammer! Current Tank Info: 50gal

10/08/2008, 07:37 AM	#4
Chihuahua6 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Forest Hills, NY Posts: 2,131	Thanks for the info guys. I'll start my homework. I'm so excited to get this tank going! __________________ Amanda Current Tank Info: First salt tank 1985, current tank 150 g acrylic

10/10/2008, 08:19 AM	#6
sde219 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Falls Church, VA Posts: 311	Bean, I agree PVC is cheap and threaded anywhere other than the bulkhead is probably more hassle than it's worth but bulkheads aren't exactly a cheap expense in the plumbing world. It's easy enough to use a thread bulkhead and slip everywhere else right? __________________ Steve Current Tank Info: It's a work in progress......I mostly need to focus on just one tank

10/10/2008, 04:53 PM	#8
wardworld Gonna Need A Bigger Tank Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Lakeland, FL Posts: 1,401	btw, Bean great website __________________ -Daryl Current Tank Info: 180 gallon / 100 gallon rubbermaid sump / 40 gallon fuge / I-Tech 200 skimmer

10/08/2008, 07:36 AM	#3
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,384	Threaded PCV fittings are a pain to work with. PVC is cheap enough... just use SLIP and Primer/Cement. You will have much less trouble. There are MANY different overflow setups. Check my website (my red house) for one type. Also look (google or search here) for Durso, Stockman, Hoffer, etc. standpipes.

10/08/2008, 09:02 AM	#5
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,686	I too much prefer threaded bulkheads, so easy to work with and you never have to cut things up if you have a leak or want to change things. Here is a photo showing how I used 1" PVC for the return up to the top of the overflow box then converted to LocLine with two nozzles. May give you some ideas. Here they are again from above And here is a view from the front showing them just under the surface I don't have a picture of the standpipe but its an older Stockman design using a piece of 1" PVC, a 2" PVC SxS coupling, a 2x1 SxS reducer bushing and a 1" slip plug. Took about 30 minutes to build and its silent.

10/10/2008, 10:28 AM	#7
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,384	In most cases, the plumbing should be fairly permanent... Large (read expensive) bulkheads are usually threaded anyway. For the 1" and 1.5" versions, I prefer SLIP.

10/10/2008, 10:41 PM	#9
scaryperson27 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cape Coral, F.L. Posts: 2,123	Slip is great anywhere except for the bulkhead. I run a Union valve near the bulkhead so that I never have to disturb the bulkhead and end up causing a leak.