PVC plumbing advice please

[Mark_C]

So I'm hard plumbing my first tank.
I have two 1" downpipes (one is an emergency overflow) to the sump, and one 3/4" return.
When you guys plumb this PVC into the bulkheads do you just silicone it and push it in tight, or do you use PVC cement and make a hard seal between the PVC pipe and bulkhead?
Thanks.

 

[Tyler]

Don’t seal the connection to the bulkhead, it should just rest in there. I’ve never had any problems and I’m quite sure this is how just about everyone else does it.


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[Mark...]

What Tyler said above.

 

[Mrx7899x]

The bulkheads that are in the overflow I use PVC cemment the pipe so it doesn't leak. The bulkheads that are for the sump I just push the the pipe in

 

[njtiger24 aquariums]

When I hard plumb my 54 I did not cemment any pipes that were in the overflow. I did cemment the pipe in the stand (so the lead to the sump/left the sump)

 

[ecam]

I always glue any pipes that are going against gravity.

So the pipes in the overflow box on the top I just stick into the bulkheads.

However the pipes on the other side of the bulkhead going into sump are glued. To preven slippage or movement that could break glass / bulkhead

 

[DangerDave]

I would glue them. If the bulkhead isn't pvc, there is a particular glue (it's green if I remember correctly) to connect to the PVC. Other wise just use the primer and solvent. Takes a few moments, and you have a leak-proof seal. That being said, I forgot to glue the entire drain system for my little frag tank before I filled it. I must of had too many cold ones that weekend. After a could of days of leaks, salt creep locked them up. It's been running like that for months. I plan to glue them soon, as I'll have to redo the plumbing to accommodate the new frag tank (that gets here tomorrow - woohoo!!!).

Good luck either way!

 

[erics210]

drains do not need to be glued. returns will be under pressure so YES.

 

[DangerDave]

Sure you don't have to, but it's a disaster waiting to happen...

 

[mikem]

Do not glue the drain line IN the overflow box for 2 reasons.
1. There is no pressure and if did get a drip, where would it go? Into the drain pipe. Duh.
2. If you get a fish jump into the overflow box, just pull the overflow pipe and your fish will surf to your filter sock. It's also good for draining your overflow box so garbage won't collect in there.

 

[Mrx7899x]

I've always glued everything except where the drain line connects to the sump at the bulkhead. So you can remove the sump and I also use a lot of unions so you can take your plumbing apart

 

[Mark_C]

So, what I'm gathering as consensus is...



One more question -

On the return line, top left, which will be glued...
The fit is pretty tight. Anyone 'glued' this with silicone?
FYI I'm using a low turnover pump, maybe 400gph.

Thanks again all.

 

[horseplay]

There might be a very very slow drip, if you don't glue. Long power outage, that slow drip might drain the overflow box. In your setup, not a lot of water in the overflow box, so no need to glue. I am talking about the connection inside the overflow box.

I have never glued, giving me the option to remove the standpipe for a vinegar bath.

 

[njtiger24 aquariums]

I think you will have some vibration/movement on your return line which might cause issues

 

[DangerDave]

I think you will have some vibration/movement on your return line which might cause issues

You can isolate any vibration by using a short piece of tubing from the pump to the pvc

 

[burrito]

So, what I'm gathering as consensus is...

View attachment 20351

One more question -

On the return line, top left, which will be glued...
The fit is pretty tight. Anyone 'glued' this with silicone?
FYI I'm using a low turnover pump, maybe 400gph.

Thanks again all.

To clarify. The overflow box, do not glue your red pipe that’s IN the box but DO glue everything outside/under the box.

 

[Mark Shelly]

To clarify. The overflow box, do not glue your red pipe that’s IN the box but DO glue everything outside/under the box.

I thought the link below did explain it well though, like Burrito and others said:
1. The drain pipes inside the overflow that insert into the water side of the bulkhead can be left unglued as you can remove them for cleaning the overflow box if desired. Or the pipes can be glued together to get an assembly that can be inserted into the water side of the bulkhead.
2 Don't glue the return or drain bulkheads to the overflow/tank bottom. You use the gasket to seal on the flange side; you don't want to be turning over the gasket by the nut. This means you only tighten the nut, like any bolted connection. Some use a silicone grease, some don't.
3. Glue or seal threaded pipes in the drain lines to the sump, including into the external side of the bulkhead. See the links for tips. Union(s) are suggested for future cleaning.
4. Depending on the return type, the pressure return should be glued or sealed, preferably with a union and valve near the return pump. If it is hard pipe through a overflow bulkhead, you can glue it. Or use a threaded connection inside the overflow box so it can be removed without removing the bulkhead. This may mean gluing a threaded piece to the bulkhead.
5. Note the tips for glued and threaded connections in the below, such as removing flashing, or silicone tape winding directions..

Aquarium Plumbing Basics - Reef Aquarium
Installing Bulkhead Tips

 

[Mark_C]

Thanks for all the help folks. Going to finalize and fill this weekend.
Those links that Mark posted should be stickied somewhere.

 

[Mark_C]

Project finished.
Appreciate all the help and advice.

 

[njtiger24 aquariums]

looks good man