plumbing aces needed.. bulkhead under tank. what adapts to standard pvc fittings?

[aldiaz33]

Yeah, I would personally not risk using the bulkhead fitting as if it were a barbed fitting. If the hose slips off (which could happen, even with a hose clamp), you will have water everywhere.

Like has already been mentioned, the outside threading on a bulkhead is for the nut only. Using it for any other purpose is risky at best. Do it right and cement it in place...it's not hard at all to do...just follow the instructions on the can of cement.

If you absolutely do not want to mess with cement, buy a bulkhead fitting that is threaded on both ends and then you can buy a PVC barb by MPT (Male Pipe Thread) 90 degree elbow...then you can more safely use a hose clamp to attach your hose.

Good luck!

 

[Dan F]

How much pipe is sticking out? If it is at least 3/8" or so you should be fine gluing on a fitting. They don't make bushings that glue inside a pipe, only fittings, so that isn't really an option.

 

[aaronb]

I doubt he'll even come back and read our replies, because it seems he was just waiting for someone to tell him his idea would work and how to do it. Even though there were plenty of others who advised against it. It seems he was a little obsessed with the whole restriction thing, because of pipe size even though the standard pvc that would've surely allowed plenty of flow for a 13 gallon wet/dry.

 

[Dan F]

That's far from genius not to mention pointless. You said it was a 13 gallon wet/dry, so there's no way you need that big of a drain. I'd love to hear what pump you're using and how much flow you expect to go through a wet/dry that small. What size of tank is this anyways? Technically if the hole is in the right place you could just place the filter under it with no hose at all and let the water fall in that way. How is that for genius? I don't know why if a bunch of people with good knowledge tell you you're not supposed to do something a certain way you wait for someone with less apparent knowledge to come along and give a crazy idea about how it will work and say it's genius. Do it however you want. Just keep in mind you can't use just any hose on an aquarium and if you have trouble don't forget people tried telling you the right way to do it.

I have to say that the idea of putting the sump under the bulkhead with no containment is ridiculous. The splashing would soak everything in the stand and probably your floor as well.

If the PVC is cut off flush or near-flush with the bulkhead flexible vinyl and hose-clamps could be a quick fix that wouldn't require tearing apart the whole tank. Ideally you would install new bulkheads and 1" PVC, but it sounds like you can't do that right now.

 

[jsodwi]

That's far from genius not to mention pointless. You said it was a 13 gallon wet/dry, so there's no way you need that big of a drain. I'd love to hear what pump you're using and how much flow you expect to go through a wet/dry that small. What size of tank is this anyways? Technically if the hole is in the right place you could just place the filter under it with no hose at all and let the water fall in that way. How is that for genius? I don't know why if a bunch of people with good knowledge tell you you're not supposed to do something a certain way you wait for someone with less apparent knowledge to come along and give a crazy idea about how it will work and say it's genius. Do it however you want. Just keep in mind you can't use just any hose on an aquarium and if you have trouble don't forget people tried telling you the right way to do it.

Hope this comment wasn't directed toward me. OP wanted opinions on what to do. Give some advice and move on. And for your info a metal hose clamp tightened properly will not fail. And then also talk to some members who have seen my setups in person then you can make judgement on how little knowledge I have .

 

[aaronb]

I have to say that the idea of putting the sump under the bulkhead with no containment is ridiculous. The splashing would soak everything in the stand and probably your floor as well.

If the PVC is cut off flush or near-flush with the bulkhead flexible vinyl and hose-clamps could be a quick fix that wouldn't require tearing apart the whole tank. Ideally you would install new bulkheads and 1" PVC, but it sounds like you can't do that right now.

Yes, the idea of putting the sump under the bulkhead with no containment is ridiculous. That's my point.

 

[aaronb]

whoah, bud...What's with the nasty attitude? I appreciate everyone's input. I didn't ignore anyone's advice... far from it. I'm just limited to what I can do. The current wet dry is set up doing exactly what people recommended given the circumstances. All I asked for was a fitting. It's not possible so I have the option to redo what I've already done for the 13 but on the other side for a DIY rubbermaid setup. I like the hose and hose clamp idea. I understand you are concerned but no need to be a Dick. It's unnecessary. I fail to see how flowing water will knock off a properly secured hose with appropriately tightened hose clamp. We aren't talking torrents here or anything pressurized... Anyway thanks to all for your time.

I'm sorry. It just seemed as soon as he gave that idea you jumped right on it even with other people saying there is only one way to do it. I still say the idea is not genius, but it'll probably work. Good luck.

 

[Egon]

I'm sorry. It just seemed as soon as he gave that idea you jumped right on it even with other people saying there is only one way to do it. I still say the idea is not genius, but it'll probably work. Good luck.

I like this idea and it could be genius LOL Just hose clamp a properly sized hose on the "outside" of the bulkhead. It's a drain, hell, he can set up a funnel to his sump, that also wont leak and will work. Sometimes the simplest solution is really the best.

 

[jcardona1]

Provided that the water can flow through the hose uninterrupted to the sump, a hose/hose clamp may work and won't leak. I personally wouldn't do it, not on my tanks. If the hose fills up with water for whatever reason (like too many bends) then it will leak around the hose. There's no way you can make a watertight seal around the threads with a hose clamp. Not gonna happen.

 

[kendragon]

Wow. I had no idea the bulkhead outer threads were not compatible with PVC fittings. Yet I've been doing it on many ponds. In fact on my current 260g overflow box I've installed a 2" PVC female adapter. It's got a section of 2" flex PVC hanging on it to the sump for years with no leak. It's feeding a 3000 gph pump.