Threaded vs slip bulkheads??

Saltydrip · 01/27/2015, 05:50 AM

I'm shopping bulkheads for my overflow and I'm seeing options for threaded and slip in all types of configurations. I know I want slip inside the tank but I'm unsure about outside. Are there pros and cons to either??

75pxatr · 01/27/2015, 06:11 AM

Threaded for me. That way you can disassemble. I you use slip outside the tank you have to glue. I use thread x thread for everything

Saltydrip · 01/27/2015, 06:29 AM

I makes sence to use the threaded to me but I'm not sure if they leak or take up more space and what not.

RocketEngineer · 01/27/2015, 07:13 AM

They don't take up any more or less space themselves but depending on how you make the connections, you many need an adapter to go to the male threads. In my case its a vertical connection behind the tank so the male thread to slip adapter didn't cause any problems.

Proper assembly is all it takes to keep from having a leak. Use thread sealing PASTE, not tape. I run a bead the full width of the outlet on the tube around the male and then turn it in as tight as I can by hand. The paste doesn't dry so it maintains the seal.

markster33139 · 01/27/2015, 07:18 AM

Could you recommend a specific brand of paste to use?

Saltydrip · 01/27/2015, 08:34 AM

Good tip.. I would have grabbed tape.

fishgate · 01/27/2015, 09:33 AM

The threaded leaks a lot even with paste. I used it and it is very hard to get it to seal. Do yourself a favor and get slip joints. They never leak. Only down is you may have to cut them off if you ever want to change the plumbing. The bulkheads are fairly cheap though.

chamjack · 01/27/2015, 09:57 AM

+1 on threaded. The reason I lean that way is because the bulkhead fitting is re-usable/serviceable (not that I ever had to service one, but if the seal needed replaced you could do it). I have used Oatey pipe thread sealant with no problems. Any of your big box stores carry it. Grab one that's for pvc piping and you should be set.

hart24601 · 01/27/2015, 10:08 AM

I recently bought a custom aquarium from miracles. They said to use threaded bulkheads (threadxthread). So that is what I used, bought the bulkheads right from them. I used rectorseal paste and no leaks.

SGT_York · 01/27/2015, 10:45 AM

Threaded all the way with bottom drilled overflows. If you are doing a bean animal with side drilled bulkheads the threaded will require an additional coupling so your pipe will stick out 3" from your tank. Use the slip bulkheads for those.

fitnessitalia · 01/27/2015, 11:09 AM

either or

shermanator · 01/27/2015, 11:18 AM

It's a personal preference. I like using slip for everything possible, but it's much harder to re-use fittings. And no taking apart anything. I have used thread bulkheads and they never leak. I use rectorial T plus 2 thread paste.

Toddrtrex · 01/27/2015, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishgate

The threaded leaks a lot even with paste. I used it and it is very hard to get it to seal. Do yourself a favor and get slip joints. They never leak. Only down is you may have to cut them off if you ever want to change the plumbing. The bulkheads are fairly cheap though.

I had the same issue with my new set up. Tried threaded bulkheads, with the paste, and still had a slow drip when I leak tested them. Went slip and they are dry as a bone. It will be a slight PITA to remove the bulkheads when the time comes, but moving a 210 will be a total PITA anyways.

Saltydrip · 01/27/2015, 12:22 PM

I plan on only being at this apartment for a year or so... It's month to month as long as we buy to move. Leaving for another rental is frowned appon. I was thinking threaded for ease of teardown and reset when the time comes. I'm doing a ghost overflow and bean animal and they will be vertical overflows draining from the external box. Also I know it's only a few bucks but the slip/threaded I have in mind are $5 less and available for Amazon prime so free shipping!!

ca1ore · 01/27/2015, 01:32 PM

It's a personal preference, frankly. I use slip because bulkhead fittings are cheap, and a solvent welded connection is more reliable. Of course, removing the bulkhead may mean having to replace it, but like I said, they're cheap.

fishgate · 01/27/2015, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saltydrip

I plan on only being at this apartment for a year or so... It's month to month as long as we buy to move. Leaving for another rental is frowned appon. I was thinking threaded for ease of teardown and reset when the time comes. I'm doing a ghost overflow and bean animal and they will be vertical overflows draining from the external box. Also I know it's only a few bucks but the slip/threaded I have in mind are $5 less and available for Amazon prime so free shipping!!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Saltydrip · 01/27/2015, 02:01 PM

Well how's about them apples^^^

coralsnaked · 01/27/2015, 02:29 PM

Humm. Hate the slip cause if the bulk head leaks at the seal you are screwed on trying to tighten it. The thread x thread will net leak if using Teflon tape on the threaded connections on either end (not thru the glass connections) and properly tightening. They also come with both OD threads for male and ID threads for femalee connections on each side of the bulkhead. How convenient !

AZBigJohn · 01/27/2015, 03:20 PM

I agree it is a personal preference. I used threaded on both sides for my bottom-drain overflows, primarily because I was concerned about being able to tight/correct problems, but when all was said and done, once I had the system leak tested and running, I have never touched a connection, and if and when I do need to move/change anything, I will probably have to replace all the bulkheads, anyway.

The only problem with slip bulkheads is you need the cirrect glue. If you try and use anything but ABS glue, the bulkheads, which are ABS, not PVC, will melt. Found that out the hard way...

maxpc99 · 01/27/2015, 03:32 PM

Threaded with paste. Very important to get paste without Teflon. I use blue monster.

Teflon lubricates and causes you to overtighten which defeats the way threaded pvc is designed to work. You should only need to hand tighten and the give a other 1/4 turn with a wrench.

http://www.lascofittings.com/threads

skeeter_ca · 01/27/2015, 03:39 PM

I like the slipxslip bulkheads myself. Never had good luck getting the threaded ones to always seal. Most times they do but not always. And yes used the Teflon tape, Teflon paste and even silicone but they were not 100% reliable for me. I use plenty of unions to be able to disassemble it afterwards. With a little fore thought it can be setup to be able to replace any section without much trouble.

skeeter

01/27/2015, 05:50 AM	#1
Saltydrip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1,826	Threaded vs slip bulkheads?? I'm shopping bulkheads for my overflow and I'm seeing options for threaded and slip in all types of configurations. I know I want slip inside the tank but I'm unsure about outside. Are there pros and cons to either?? __________________ Current tank 48" 75g DT w/ 55g sump/fuge.

01/27/2015, 06:29 AM	#3
Saltydrip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1,826	I makes sence to use the threaded to me but I'm not sure if they leak or take up more space and what not. __________________ Current tank 48" 75g DT w/ 55g sump/fuge. Last edited by Saltydrip; 01/27/2015 at 06:42 AM.

01/27/2015, 07:13 AM	#4
RocketEngineer Space is big. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Maryland Eastern Shore Posts: 3,226	They don't take up any more or less space themselves but depending on how you make the connections, you many need an adapter to go to the male threads. In my case its a vertical connection behind the tank so the male thread to slip adapter didn't cause any problems. Proper assembly is all it takes to keep from having a leak. Use thread sealing PASTE, not tape. I run a bead the full width of the outlet on the tube around the male and then turn it in as tight as I can by hand. The paste doesn't dry so it maintains the seal. __________________ -RocketEngineer "Knowledge is what you get when you read the directions, experience is what you get when you don't." - Unknown Current Tank Info: None Currently

01/27/2015, 07:18 AM	#5
markster33139 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 340	Could you recommend a specific brand of paste to use? __________________ Creating the island life

01/27/2015, 08:34 AM	#6
Saltydrip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1,826	Good tip.. I would have grabbed tape. __________________ Current tank 48" 75g DT w/ 55g sump/fuge.

01/27/2015, 06:11 AM	#2
75pxatr Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Poland OHio Posts: 567	Threaded for me. That way you can disassemble. I you use slip outside the tank you have to glue. I use thread x thread for everything

01/27/2015, 09:33 AM	#7
fishgate Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Damascus, MD Posts: 3,340	The threaded leaks a lot even with paste. I used it and it is very hard to get it to seal. Do yourself a favor and get slip joints. They never leak. Only down is you may have to cut them off if you ever want to change the plumbing. The bulkheads are fairly cheap though. __________________ 125RR in-wall, 40B Sump, CS180 BM Skimmer, ATI 4x80 watt, eheim 1262, custom wrap around rock wall, ReefKeeper Elite 120g in-wall, 40B Sump, PC 54wx4, Jabao DC-6000 (full siphon), future seahorse t Current Tank Info: 125g, 120g, 2x40b sumps, ATI 4x80 T5HO

01/27/2015, 09:57 AM	#8
chamjack Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Johnstown, Pa Posts: 166	+1 on threaded. The reason I lean that way is because the bulkhead fitting is re-usable/serviceable (not that I ever had to service one, but if the seal needed replaced you could do it). I have used Oatey pipe thread sealant with no problems. Any of your big box stores carry it. Grab one that's for pvc piping and you should be set. __________________ 125 Mixed Reef Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef

01/27/2015, 10:08 AM	#9
hart24601 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 633	I recently bought a custom aquarium from miracles. They said to use threaded bulkheads (threadxthread). So that is what I used, bought the bulkheads right from them. I used rectorseal paste and no leaks.

01/27/2015, 10:45 AM	#10
SGT_York Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,746	Threaded all the way with bottom drilled overflows. If you are doing a bean animal with side drilled bulkheads the threaded will require an additional coupling so your pipe will stick out 3" from your tank. Use the slip bulkheads for those.

01/27/2015, 11:09 AM	#11
fitnessitalia Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 163	either or

01/27/2015, 11:18 AM	#12
shermanator Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 854	It's a personal preference. I like using slip for everything possible, but it's much harder to re-use fittings. And no taking apart anything. I have used thread bulkheads and they never leak. I use rectorial T plus 2 thread paste.

01/27/2015, 12:22 PM	#14
Saltydrip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1,826	I plan on only being at this apartment for a year or so... It's month to month as long as we buy to move. Leaving for another rental is frowned appon. I was thinking threaded for ease of teardown and reset when the time comes. I'm doing a ghost overflow and bean animal and they will be vertical overflows draining from the external box. Also I know it's only a few bucks but the slip/threaded I have in mind are $5 less and available for Amazon prime so free shipping!! __________________ Current tank 48" 75g DT w/ 55g sump/fuge.

01/27/2015, 01:32 PM	#15
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	It's a personal preference, frankly. I use slip because bulkhead fittings are cheap, and a solvent welded connection is more reliable. Of course, removing the bulkhead may mean having to replace it, but like I said, they're cheap. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

01/27/2015, 02:01 PM	#17
Saltydrip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1,826	Well how's about them apples^^^ __________________ Current tank 48" 75g DT w/ 55g sump/fuge.

01/27/2015, 02:29 PM	#18
coralsnaked Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Austin / Port Aransas, TX Posts: 1,479	Humm. Hate the slip cause if the bulk head leaks at the seal you are screwed on trying to tighten it. The thread x thread will net leak if using Teflon tape on the threaded connections on either end (not thru the glass connections) and properly tightening. They also come with both OD threads for male and ID threads for femalee connections on each side of the bulkhead. How convenient ! __________________ Merry Skerry Current Tank Info: 1 G Nano jellyfish to 1200 G Bull Nose FOWLR featuring large Holacanthus and Pomacanthus

01/27/2015, 03:20 PM	#19
AZBigJohn Usually confused... Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,091	I agree it is a personal preference. I used threaded on both sides for my bottom-drain overflows, primarily because I was concerned about being able to tight/correct problems, but when all was said and done, once I had the system leak tested and running, I have never touched a connection, and if and when I do need to move/change anything, I will probably have to replace all the bulkheads, anyway. The only problem with slip bulkheads is you need the cirrect glue. If you try and use anything but ABS glue, the bulkheads, which are ABS, not PVC, will melt. Found that out the hard way... __________________ John Current Tank Info: Currently a 29 gallon all-in-one frag tank and a 210 gallon tank slowly becoming my dream system!

01/27/2015, 03:32 PM	#20
maxpc99 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 58	Threaded vs slip bulkheads?? Threaded with paste. Very important to get paste without Teflon. I use blue monster. Teflon lubricates and causes you to overtighten which defeats the way threaded pvc is designed to work. You should only need to hand tighten and the give a other 1/4 turn with a wrench. http://www.lascofittings.com/threads

01/27/2015, 03:39 PM	#21
skeeter_ca Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,007	I like the slipxslip bulkheads myself. Never had good luck getting the threaded ones to always seal. Most times they do but not always. And yes used the Teflon tape, Teflon paste and even silicone but they were not 100% reliable for me. I use plenty of unions to be able to disassemble it afterwards. With a little fore thought it can be setup to be able to replace any section without much trouble. skeeter __________________ skeeter - It is easier to ask for forgiveness than premission. My motto to my wife. Current Tank Info: 75rr,6"dsb,refugium,auto top-off & semi-auto water changer, OM squirt. 4 MJs 1200, Started on 03/03/06