Bulkhead trouble

[Oskie Boy]

I am finally getting around to setting up my key tank and my 1.5” thread x slip bulkheads keep snapping. Two of them have broken in half, has anyone else had this problem? Guess I need some heavier ones. If it were to snap when the tank was running the sump would drain.

 

[Oskie Boy]

I can not think of a way to avoid using bulkheads for my return in to the sump.

 

[dr exum]

i can take a pic of mine.... maybe try bulk reef supply -

the reefer folks got the good ish...

 

[Oskie Boy]

I just checked, I bought these from bulk reef supply. I am thinking it it because they are threaded, possibly when there is threads on the inside and outside that makes them weaker? As opposed to being a solid wall, like on a slip slip bulkhead? Possibly a bad batch of them, or possibly they are just far more fragile than regular sch. 40 pvc, which is practically indestructible as far as aquarium setup is concerned.

 

[dr exum]

dang, sorry to hear that...

these are what i have - 1.5” had to cut out during a plumbing change- i did not buy them, tank guy ordered for me...

pipe glued inside it appears

 

[Oskie Boy]

Thanks for the pics those look like the exact ones I have, I have used the “left turn tighten” ones before from tractor supply company, they are much stronger and very heavy, I’ll post some pics of some three inch ones I have, and the sump I’m going to setup.

 

[Oughtsix]

I am finally getting around to setting up my key tank and my 1.5” thread x slip bulkheads keep snapping. Two of them have broken in half, has anyone else had this problem? Guess I need some heavier ones. If it were to snap when the tank was running the sump would drain.

YES!!! I am having the EXACT same problem with 1" bulkheads for my 180G tank! I have tried 3 different brands of PVC bulkheads and they have all been JUNK!!! I haven't had problems with the 3/4" or 1/2" PVC bulkheads but the 1" bulkheads have too thin a body and have caused me untold misery!

I ordered these last Wednesday and expect them to arrive Monday:
Banjo TF100 $6.89 1" FNPT Bulkhead Tank Fitting | Zoro.com

They are heavy USA made polypropylene bulkheads from a company known for quality plumbing parts instead of cheap thin PVC bulkheads. They require a 2-1/4" hole in your tank instead of a 1-3/4" hole that the PVC ones use. That is 1/2" of extra meat in the body of the bulkhead AND a stronger plastic. The only down side is they are pipe thread only. Polypropylene can not be welded (glued) to PVC so only a mechanical threaded connection can be used. A slip fit cemented joint will not bond. Also note that the retaining nuts on these bulkheads are reverse threaded (left hand threads). They are made this way so when you screw a pipe into the bulkhead it tightens the bulkhead nut instead of loosening it (Hurray!).

I have not tried these yet but after a lot of research I believe they are the solution to my problem of snapping PVC bulkheads.
P.S. Amazon has the EXACT same bulkheads listed for 3x the price.

I will be happy to report back after I have drilled the holes in my tank out to 2-1/4" and installed these bulkheads.

 

[TheWolfman]

Very strange, I’m assuming your not over tightening them. They should be hand tight and then a quarter turn with a wrench. I wouldn’t use that monster bulkhead on that nice sump. I like the life guard aquatics bulkheads from amazon slip x thread.

 

[Zanzag]

i would assume with a snapped fitting like that either over tightening or could be putting some kind of pressure on the pipe externally i also dont see the reasoning behind going towards a sch-80 bulkhead

 

[duanes]

I agree that over tightening may be the problem.
I have yet to snap a bulkhead so it seems odd that this would happen. I have dozens of them in different sizes and configurations, from 1/2" to 2".

above 1.5 inch. Below 1.5", and 1"

Is the yellow stuff plumbers putty?
I usually use teflon tape on threaded.