threading a bulkhead into a bulkhead - terrible idea?

jacksonpt · 11/15/2018, 10:49 AM

Yea, I'm grasping at straws here, but...

I've got a glass holes overflow box (internal box only) that I can't get rid of. It's attached to the tank with a threaded bulkhead. Would it be a terrible idea to thread another bulkhead (attached to an external box with herbie drains) into the existing bulkhead?

My assumption is that it would be difficult to get a good seal between the bulkheads.

mcgyvr · 11/15/2018, 11:39 AM

I'm not sure if the thread size/pitch on a bulkheads external thread is the same as the standard pipe thread standard of the internal thread..

Can you explain why you need to do this? Maybe there is a better solution..
A glass holes overflow box can be removed..

jacksonpt · 11/15/2018, 11:47 AM

I'm 99% sure I can't get the lock ring off the existing bulkhead inside the glass holes box. So I'm trying to find a way to use an existing glass holes box (and it's bulkhead) with a herbie or bean drain system... on an established/running tank.

mcgyvr · 11/15/2018, 07:18 PM

Good luck...Im not clear on the specifics of what you want to accomplish..or what this lock ring is..

jacksonpt · 11/15/2018, 07:43 PM

Sorry, the bulkhead nut is what I meant by lock ring.

laverda · 11/16/2018, 01:15 PM

Most bulkheads do not use pipe thread on the outer threads. There is at least one brand that does. I have never seen the thread sizes listed for the external threads. You may just have to take a threaded piece of PVC the right size and try it at different places untill you find the right size.
Having said all that I think your going to have problems trying to make it work. You can make a wrench to turn the bulkhead nut out of wood or plastic if that would help. How many bulkheads are in the tank now? A photo of the back of you tank may help understand what you have and how to help.

jacksonpt · 11/16/2018, 05:24 PM

Okay, let's see if I can do this from my phone...

Attached should be a full tank shot, a shot of the back of the tank, and a shot of the internal boxes.

The internal overflow boxes are the glass holes boxes I've mentioned. I'm pretty certain I'm stuck with those, as I'm highly doubtful I will be able to get the nut and bulkhead off to remove them. I can, however, remove the 90-degree elbows off the back of the tank. So I'm left with two internal boxes, two bulkheads, and no plumbing. Is there a way I can run a two or three drain system (bean or herbie) with the 2 internal boxes/bulkheads I have.

Gorgok · 11/17/2018, 05:33 AM

Those two boxes are so close you could probably just perforate the touching sides and call it one box, no? Depending on how tight it is, you may not want to drill too low or it would drain lower than before on power down. A little leakage is fine when its running, and anything above normal drain down on power down is also fine.

Drill or oscillating tool would be be my choice here.

laverda · 11/18/2018, 01:51 PM

The second photo looks like you already have 2 drains. If you make one a little lower than that other it will become the primary drain and may help with your noise problem depending on your flow rate.

Fishbulb2 · 11/23/2018, 09:40 PM

This is going to be tough. I have the same overflows and they are loud. I'm not sure how you are going to get behind that tank to do anything. It looks rough. I know that nut inside the overflow box is bought to remove, but it's possible. I may need to 3D print a thin, thick wrench to get mine out as well. I bought a replacement eshopps overflow with two drains. Hoping to make it a Herbie drain.

Fishbulb2 · 11/23/2018, 09:52 PM

OK, it you have time I'm 3D printing out a "Gl*******s" wrench that should fit into the box. I'll test it tomorrow and let you know. If it works for me, I can stick it in the mail for you sometime next week.

FB

jacksonpt · 11/25/2018, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishbulb2

This is going to be tough. I have the same overflows and they are loud. I'm not sure how you are going to get behind that tank to do anything. It looks rough. I know that nut inside the overflow box is bought to remove, but it's possible. I may need to 3D print a thin, thick wrench to get mine out as well. I bought a replacement eshopps overflow with two drains. Hoping to make it a Herbie drain.

Sounds like the same situation I'm in. I'll be interested to hear how you make out.

Fishbulb2 · 11/25/2018, 12:14 PM

I printed out two wrenches but neither were quite right. It's super hard to get it inside where I need it. it's just impossible to see what's going on. I have a spare nut for the bulkhead, so I know the wrench is the right size, but I just can't get it around the nut inside the box

laverda · 11/25/2018, 04:36 PM

Make the wrench off set, buy adding more layers at the wrench end. I made a bulkhead wrench for a similer situation by laminating layers of scrap acrylic together. 2 layers for the whole thing including the handle. 5 layers at just the wrench end. Looks ghetto, but it worked. I am sure you can make a much nicer looking on with you printer.

Steveb · 11/28/2018, 07:48 AM

Maybe get one of these of the correct size and try?

https://www.precisionmarine.com/prod...head-wrenches/

Turtlesteve · 11/28/2018, 06:01 PM

Do you have enough space behind the tank to cut it off flush to the glass? Seems like this would be the easiest, fastest option.

Fishbulb2 · 11/28/2018, 08:42 PM

OK, I'll try to print an offset for the wrench. At least the print pretty quickly. I'll post back tomorrow and let you know how it went.

Fishbulb2 · 11/28/2018, 08:57 PM

OK it's going now with a large offset. Again, if I have luck with this, i'm happy to send you one. It's just that I'm not in a rush with my own tank so it's been going slowly. But it's printing now and I can see how it fits tomorrow.

jacksonpt · 11/29/2018, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baringcs

Maybe get one of these of the correct size and try?

https://www.precisionmarine.com/prod...head-wrenches/

That might work.

jacksonpt · 11/29/2018, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishbulb2

OK it's going now with a large offset. Again, if I have luck with this, i'm happy to send you one. It's just that I'm not in a rush with my own tank so it's been going slowly. But it's printing now and I can see how it fits tomorrow.

No worries. Honestly, it's just nice to hear someone else is in the same position as me. I've tried 100 different "hack" solutions and nothing has worked. I don't have access to a printer though, so maybe you'll have better luck.

Fishbulb2 · 12/01/2018, 01:12 PM

Hey Jackson,

This last wrench printed out beautifully and will work no problem to remove the bulkhead. I've got a couple of gl*******s overflows and have already removed 2. PM me your address and I'll out one in the mail for you. Merry XMAS.

FB

Steveb · 12/01/2018, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishbulb2

Hey Jackson,

This last wrench printed out beautifully and will work no problem to remove the bulkhead. I've got a couple of gl*******s overflows and have already removed 2. PM me your address and I'll out one in the mail for you. Merry XMAS.

FB

Very kind gesture!

jacksonpt · 12/01/2018, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishbulb2

Hey Jackson,

This last wrench printed out beautifully and will work no problem to remove the bulkhead. I've got a couple of gl*******s overflows and have already removed 2. PM me your address and I'll out one in the mail for you. Merry XMAS.

FB

Very generous offer, thank you. PM incoming.

laverda · 12/01/2018, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishbulb2

Hey Jackson,

This last wrench printed out beautifully and will work no problem to remove the bulkhead. I've got a couple of gl*******s overflows and have already removed 2. PM me your address and I'll out one in the mail for you. Merry XMAS.

FB

That’s very nice of you. What size is the bulkhead nut" Can I get a copy of the file? Thinking I can enlarge it for some of my bulkheads?

Fishbulb2 · 12/02/2018, 11:16 AM

Sure thing. I just put the file here on thingyverse.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3254184

I hope that's ok to post. The bulkhead is 1 1/2". It should be easy to scale the file. Let me know if you have issues.

Cheers,
FB

11/15/2018, 10:49 AM	#1
jacksonpt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Vestal, NY Posts: 3,679	threading a bulkhead into a bulkhead - terrible idea? Yea, I'm grasping at straws here, but... I've got a glass holes overflow box (internal box only) that I can't get rid of. It's attached to the tank with a threaded bulkhead. Would it be a terrible idea to thread another bulkhead (attached to an external box with herbie drains) into the existing bulkhead? My assumption is that it would be difficult to get a good seal between the bulkheads. __________________ Jackson - All advice I give is based on my first hand experience. YMMV. Current Tank Info: 38g (mostly LPS) with a 20g sump/fuge and all the other standard goodies Last edited by jacksonpt; 11/15/2018 at 11:38 AM.

11/15/2018, 11:39 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	I'm not sure if the thread size/pitch on a bulkheads external thread is the same as the standard pipe thread standard of the internal thread.. Can you explain why you need to do this? Maybe there is a better solution.. A glass holes overflow box can be removed.. __________________ Who me?

11/15/2018, 11:47 AM	#3
jacksonpt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Vestal, NY Posts: 3,679	I'm 99% sure I can't get the lock ring off the existing bulkhead inside the glass holes box. So I'm trying to find a way to use an existing glass holes box (and it's bulkhead) with a herbie or bean drain system... on an established/running tank. __________________ Jackson - All advice I give is based on my first hand experience. YMMV. Current Tank Info: 38g (mostly LPS) with a 20g sump/fuge and all the other standard goodies

11/15/2018, 07:18 PM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Good luck...Im not clear on the specifics of what you want to accomplish..or what this lock ring is.. __________________ Who me?

11/15/2018, 07:43 PM	#5
jacksonpt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Vestal, NY Posts: 3,679	Sorry, the bulkhead nut is what I meant by lock ring. __________________ Jackson - All advice I give is based on my first hand experience. YMMV. Current Tank Info: 38g (mostly LPS) with a 20g sump/fuge and all the other standard goodies

11/16/2018, 01:15 PM	#6
laverda Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 6,902	Most bulkheads do not use pipe thread on the outer threads. There is at least one brand that does. I have never seen the thread sizes listed for the external threads. You may just have to take a threaded piece of PVC the right size and try it at different places untill you find the right size. Having said all that I think your going to have problems trying to make it work. You can make a wrench to turn the bulkhead nut out of wood or plastic if that would help. How many bulkheads are in the tank now? A photo of the back of you tank may help understand what you have and how to help. __________________ 240G mixed reef, 29G SPS/LPS clam tank, 50G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 300g mixed reef, 50g cube

11/17/2018, 05:33 AM	#8
Gorgok Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 1,904	Those two boxes are so close you could probably just perforate the touching sides and call it one box, no? Depending on how tight it is, you may not want to drill too low or it would drain lower than before on power down. A little leakage is fine when its running, and anything above normal drain down on power down is also fine. Drill or oscillating tool would be be my choice here.

11/18/2018, 01:51 PM	#9
laverda Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 6,902	The second photo looks like you already have 2 drains. If you make one a little lower than that other it will become the primary drain and may help with your noise problem depending on your flow rate. __________________ 240G mixed reef, 29G SPS/LPS clam tank, 50G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 300g mixed reef, 50g cube

11/23/2018, 09:40 PM	#10
Fishbulb2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,807	This is going to be tough. I have the same overflows and they are loud. I'm not sure how you are going to get behind that tank to do anything. It looks rough. I know that nut inside the overflow box is bought to remove, but it's possible. I may need to 3D print a thin, thick wrench to get mine out as well. I bought a replacement eshopps overflow with two drains. Hoping to make it a Herbie drain. __________________ Just getting back in, but trying to do it right! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon tank. SPS, LPS, few softies

11/23/2018, 09:52 PM	#11
Fishbulb2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,807	OK, it you have time I'm 3D printing out a "Gl*******s" wrench that should fit into the box. I'll test it tomorrow and let you know. If it works for me, I can stick it in the mail for you sometime next week. FB __________________ Just getting back in, but trying to do it right! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon tank. SPS, LPS, few softies

11/25/2018, 12:14 PM	#13
Fishbulb2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,807	I printed out two wrenches but neither were quite right. It's super hard to get it inside where I need it. it's just impossible to see what's going on. I have a spare nut for the bulkhead, so I know the wrench is the right size, but I just can't get it around the nut inside the box __________________ Just getting back in, but trying to do it right! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon tank. SPS, LPS, few softies

11/25/2018, 04:36 PM	#14
laverda Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 6,902	Make the wrench off set, buy adding more layers at the wrench end. I made a bulkhead wrench for a similer situation by laminating layers of scrap acrylic together. 2 layers for the whole thing including the handle. 5 layers at just the wrench end. Looks ghetto, but it worked. I am sure you can make a much nicer looking on with you printer. __________________ 240G mixed reef, 29G SPS/LPS clam tank, 50G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 300g mixed reef, 50g cube

11/28/2018, 07:48 AM	#15
Steveb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: TX Posts: 1,090	Maybe get one of these of the correct size and try? https://www.precisionmarine.com/prod...head-wrenches/ __________________ Steve My Tanks 50x30 ABS Tub & a 48x24 frag tank at the moment Steve's Reef 265 Build In Progress

11/28/2018, 06:01 PM	#16
Turtlesteve Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Upstate South Carolina Posts: 478	Do you have enough space behind the tank to cut it off flush to the glass? Seems like this would be the easiest, fastest option.

11/28/2018, 08:42 PM	#17
Fishbulb2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,807	OK, I'll try to print an offset for the wrench. At least the print pretty quickly. I'll post back tomorrow and let you know how it went. __________________ Just getting back in, but trying to do it right! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon tank. SPS, LPS, few softies

11/28/2018, 08:57 PM	#18
Fishbulb2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,807	OK it's going now with a large offset. Again, if I have luck with this, i'm happy to send you one. It's just that I'm not in a rush with my own tank so it's been going slowly. But it's printing now and I can see how it fits tomorrow. __________________ Just getting back in, but trying to do it right! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon tank. SPS, LPS, few softies

12/01/2018, 01:12 PM	#21
Fishbulb2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,807	Hey Jackson, This last wrench printed out beautifully and will work no problem to remove the bulkhead. I've got a couple of gl*******s overflows and have already removed 2. PM me your address and I'll out one in the mail for you. Merry XMAS. FB __________________ Just getting back in, but trying to do it right! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon tank. SPS, LPS, few softies

12/02/2018, 11:16 AM	#25
Fishbulb2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,807	Sure thing. I just put the file here on thingyverse. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3254184 I hope that's ok to post. The bulkhead is 1 1/2". It should be easy to scale the file. Let me know if you have issues. Cheers, FB __________________ Just getting back in, but trying to do it right! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon tank. SPS, LPS, few softies