Anyone interested in helping out? (1 Viewer)

[191185]

Hello,

I've been in the saltwater hobby for about 3 months.. I've had my 55g going fine and decided to try a 125G as a FOWLR so I can get a Trigger and some Tangs...

I bought one off craigslist and got ripped off. In one of the overflows, the bulkhead, or whatever it's called leaks ..

Long story short, I've spent 8 hours a day for the last 2 days trying to get the plumbing not to leak, replacing most of it with all new stuff, and just when I finally thought I was done, the bulkhead leaks. ..

Anyone interested in coming over and installing a new bulkhead ? I live in North St Paul, MN.. I was thinking $50 or more depending on how long it takes ..

I don't even know what part to buy ...

In the picture below, the outside of the white pvc pipe is leaking ... so would i want to buy a 1" bulkhead ?

 

[Shibbs]

Try a Uniseal. Clint at Discovery Aquatics sells them - and they're cheap. Slide the PVC pipe thru them and you're set.

Give him a call and he should be able to tell you what you're needing.

 

[Merkurfan]

Try a Uniseal. Clint at Discovery Aquatics sells them - and they're cheap. Slide the PVC pipe thru them and you're set.

Give him a call and he should be able to tell you what you're needing.

They work in holes drilled for a 1" bulk head. I suspect that is the one leaking because what is there is not a bulkhead at all. Uniseals do not fit properly in holes drilled for 3/4 bulkheads.

I have the uniseals and bulkheads.

 

[Fragtastic Reef]

I see a few problems. The pipe or tubing you have going from your return pump is not designed to go onto barb fittings. Second Im guessing you have the PVC drain pipe threaded onto the bulk head. Did you use seal tape when putting it on? Also I would recommend taking both just off and start new. Buy 2 new bulkheads and tubing. You may be able to reuse the PVC if you cut it right by the bushing that goes into the threaded piece. Good luck hope someone can come over and help you out. Otherwise just shoot me a PM if you have questions. I am on vacation right now but will usually answer off my phone. Good Luck and welcome to TCMAS! :beerchug:

 

[David Grigor]

Also, you never want uneven pressure on any of the sides of the bulkhead ( well not really a bulkhead in your picture ) fitting. This will also cause to leak. So if your plumbing ( the portion that isn't pictured ) isnt' coming straight down but has some elbows in it, the pvc piping needs to be reinforced to keep the pressure off.

 

[zocr-AZ]

I live in North Saint Paul and would be more than willing to stop over and help you figure it out.

PM sent with further information.

 

[191185]

Well, thanks everyone, I received a few offers for help as well as some good advise..

I ordered a 1.5" abs bulkhead from bulkreefsupply.com. I also read that I should not use ribbed tubes ? I just replaced two of them (inlets) with the clear flex pvc.. It was recommended to me on the reefland.com forums ..

So here's some pics of my progress. I took out the old pipe on one side, and ordered a new bulkhead, also switched out some of the ribbed piping with clear ... Tell me what you think, I'm all ears , the more advise the better ..

 

[Merkurfan]

what size was the PCV pipe you removed? most pre-drilled overflow tanks are 1" drain pipes.

 

[191185]

what size was the PCV pipe you removed? most pre-drilled overflow tanks are 1" drain pipes.

I removed some blacked ribbed pipe, is that pvc still ? It was 5/8" and I replaced it with 5/8" I was from my pump in my sump, to the tank , so is that called my "return line" ?

As far as I know, my inlet pipes are 5/8" and my drain pipe, from the tank to the sump, is 1.5" ..

I have no idea as to what size I would want and everything, I'm assuming the pipe from the tank to the sump is supposed to be larger ?

 

[Merkurfan]

Correct. But I think you are going to find that the 1.5 bulkhead won't fit.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[191185]

Maybe I measured wrong.. In this picture, this is the piece I took out. I measured across, and got exactly 1.5" .. . .

there's a different way to measure I'm assuming ?

 

[Merkurfan]

well.. Kind of. a 1.5 inch bulk head is going to be 2" on the outside, this will allow a 1.5 inch pipe to fit inside of it. I believe your going to need a 1" bulkhead.

A 1" bulkhead fits in a 1.65 inch hole. a 1.5 inch bulkhead fits in a 2.32 inch hole.

 

[191185]

well.. Kind of. a 1.5 inch bulk head is going to be 2" on the outside, this will allow a 1.5 inch pipe to fit inside of it. I believe your going to need a 1" bulkhead.

A 1" bulkhead fits in a 1.65 inch hole. a 1.5 inch bulkhead fits in a 2.32 inch hole.

Well, I got my bulkhead last night, and it did not fit.. I must have a 1.65" hole, as I measured what I thought was 1.5" and ordered a 1.5" bulkhead, which, just as you said, is for a 2" hole ..

 

[David Grigor]

Most RR, the main drain is 1" bulkhead which requires a 1.75" hole. The smaller one used for returns is usually a 3/4" bulkhead. Some of the newer tanks both holes are for 1" bulkhead.

 

[191185]

ok, I just ordered two 1" bulkheads and 5' of 1" pipe for my tank ... the first time I ordered 1.5" bulkheads and pipe .. . so .. .

Does anyone want the 1.5" bulkhead or 1.5" pvc pipe ? I have no use for it, and maybe someone on here does ? I just wasted $30 on it with shipping

 

[acharpenter]

You really sound like you could use someone to swing by - there have been offers in this thread - if none of those work out - let me know. Would be happy to swing by to see what I can help with.

If the parts you just ordered do not work out - for sure do not order anything else until someone can swing by and lend you a hand. Thats what we are here for!

I would hate to see you waste any more money and just get frustrated, know what I mean?

 

[Shibbs]

I got quite annoyed trying to find the correct bulkheads for my Aqueon tank.
I eventually just went to Minnetonka Petco and got the Aqueon overflow kit. Figured that way if it were wrong I could just return it.

 

[191185]

Well I got my new bulkheads in the mail yesterday .. and the first one seemed to fit just fine ... I didn't do the second one yet ..

the top side is "slip on" and the bottom is "threaded" ..

When I attach threaded pvc to the threaded bulkhead, do I need to use anything special ? or just screwing it on tight will hold off any leaks ?

 

[Merkurfan]

I put tread tape or silicone on the threads to help seal them.

 

[Fishmonger70]

Yes, teflon tape on the piece you are going to thread into the bottom of the bulkhead and also do not over tighten or you could crack something and have more leaks. Also I noticed that you went with the clear vinyl tubing for the return line. Personally I would have gone with black vinyl tubing instead of clear because the clear can grow algae. Just my opinion.