Nearing assembly on my plywood aquarium. Situation is I have to get 6 made up bulkheads because the plywood is 2" thick and they are crazy expensive. After seeing all the problems with leaking bulkheads I don't want to deal with 6 leaking bulkheads. What I'm going to do is epoxy in place six 1-1/2" pvc couplers and glue the elbows tees and pipe together and into them. I know this is more of a permanent build vs bulkheads that I could install and remove easily but the cost of specially built bulkheads is crazy expensive, and I already have way more money into this build than I thought I would be spending. Anyone see any problems with epoxying pvc couplers instead of using bulkheads?
Bulkheads
- Thread starter Night Ranger
- Start date
I see some Hayward brand, off-the-shelf bulkheads that list the maximum tank wall thickness as 2" for less than $30. Would that work? Or you could go threaded polypropylene for under $20 ea. Grainger bulkheads
I have used the Hayward bulkheads and agree they are high quaility and worth the extra expense .
And feel bulkheads are some of those parts it is best not to scrimp on.
One of the reasons we so so many problems is that quality may not taken seriously enough.
I just replaced a couple on my tank, and could not be more pleased that I went with with a double basket, more substantial version than previously used.
And feel bulkheads are some of those parts it is best not to scrimp on.
One of the reasons we so so many problems is that quality may not taken seriously enough.
I just replaced a couple on my tank, and could not be more pleased that I went with with a double basket, more substantial version than previously used.
I appreciate all the info and pics but I believe I will stick to the 1-1/2" pvc couplers because I will have 3 slip in strainers in a row with one group above the other and I believe it will be easier to assemble the suction manifold as a unit then attach it to the couplers with pvc glue. I will have to keep them mounted above the halfway mark because the gravel I'm using is 2mm to 3mm in size and knowing what 6 tinfoil barbs do to small substrate when they are spooked would not be a good day to have two $750.00 red dragon pumps sucking it up. If I ever get it completed, I will be sending pics of the build. Moving around 2 inch thick plywood with a bad back is no fun. To give you an idea the bottom which is two 1 inch thick 4x8 sheets of plywood laminated together and weighs over 200 lbs. Side walls weigh 70 lbs each and the back is 140 lbs. The 3/4" low iron glass weighs 230 lbs. I though the glass would be lighter being low iron. lol. Thanks for the pics and replies!