Bulkheads questions

I have seen some different names on bulkheads such as slip x and schedule 80, etc. What's there difference? all I know is the difference between slip and thread ;D. Btw, where do you get them? would those at home depot work ok?

Thanks?

 

Schedule 80 is heavier and thicker than schedule 40. MPT is male pipe thread and FPT is female pipe thread. Slip x MPT is slip on one side and pipe thread on the other. You can get the bulkhead with pipe thread on the inside or outside of the bulkhead as well as slip. Or you can get them with one side slip and the other thread.

 

not sure what slip x is, but schedule 80 is the material of the larger heady duty bulkheads. those are the grey ones

 

Sch 80 bulkheads have a much larger outside diameter so need a larger hole.
There really isn't any reason for sch 80 in most cases as they are designed for high pressure piping and we may have 2 or 3 psi in our return piping.

I have a bulkhead installation tips sticky that may help answer some of your questions:
http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/bulkhead-installation-tips-111422.html

I have never seen bulkheads at Home Depot or Lowes.

 

Thank you for the response everyone.

Thanks for the article AZ, I have read that several times;D. I am kinda considering sch 80, because I have heard some leakage because of the bulkheads broke over times.

Yes, Home Depot actually carries them, but somewhat different that I have seen on aquarium. But I am sure my LFS carry them. Btw, about #4 (using sealant vs tape) is very interesting. The sealant doesn't glue them together, does it?

 

Hello,
Go yourself a fav and use sch 80 there is a big difference in quality and performance

 

glass-holes also has bulkheads and you can get a proper hole saw to go with them. Good prices and awesome customer service.

 

I would like to see a photo of what you have found at Home Depot, I have never seen them there.
The LaCo thread sealant stays pliable forever so does not glue or bind anything, it makes the easier to remove in the future.

If I were plumbing a system with bottom drilled holes in the display that would need to be drained completely for maintanance I would use Sch 80. For back drilled holes or those inside an overflow box that can be fairly easily drained and worked on normal TxT bulkheads are fine. The biggest problem I find is when people start supporting a lot of piping or pumps with the bulkheads and you end up with lateral stress on the gaskets. As long as you some flexible tubing or PVC you should not have any problems with standard bulkheads.