Bulkhead break???

muggle0981 · Jun 25, 2019

So was replacing some tubing that went from return pump to returns

And the bulkhead snapped off in tube when trying to take off

Im a novice

Assuming need to replace bulkhead-is that draining whole tank???

For now just getting an L and will only have 1 return back to tank

Return pump had a t barb that was having water return to both sides of the tank

lapin · Jun 25, 2019

From your picture it looks like the bulkhead is fine.

muggle0981 said:
The bulkhead snapped off in tube when trying to take off

Was it a pipe that screwed into the bulkhead that snapped off?

Flippers4pups · Jun 25, 2019

Yep, going to need to replace the bulkhead.

JoshH · Jun 25, 2019

+1 needs to be replaced unfortunately. Not overly difficult to do, a little tricker with the tall overflows.

Rufus’ goofs · Jun 25, 2019

That’s a very strange looking bulkhead fitting to me. Did it taper into a barb fitting?
I’m very curious, I’ve never seen anything like it.
From the looks of it, you have to replace that entire bulkhead, but I don’t think you’ll have to drain the tabk farther down than the weir of your overflow.

Hope this helps!

JoshH · Jun 25, 2019

Rufus’ goofs said:
That’s a very strange looking bulkhead fitting to me. Did it taper into a barb fitting?
I’m very curious, I’ve never seen anything like it.
From the looks of it, you have to replace that entire bulkhead, but I don’t think you’ll have to drain the tabk farther down than the weir of your overflow.

Hope this helps!

That's exactly what it looks like, a barbed bulkhead, not ideal but a lot of the stock tanks have them for some reason.

Oh and to the OP you shouldn't need to drain your tank to replace this.

muggle0981 · Jun 25, 2019

Yes had a barb that extended 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch down

So if temporarily i just run pump to other overflow that should be ok for a day or two until i can fix bulkhead

Flippers4pups · Jun 25, 2019

Time for a upgrade. Could up size the drain size.

muggle0981 · Jun 25, 2019

So would be using one overflow instead of the two in tank

Flippers4pups · Jun 25, 2019

muggle0981 said:
So would be using one overflow instead of the two in tank

I'm stuck with two corners myself, that's okay though.

theMeat · Jun 25, 2019

Make that return line a drain so you can do bean animal type drain.

muggle0981 · Jun 26, 2019

Yup-this is definitely amateur hour tonight...

Hallowhead · Jun 26, 2019

I am setting up my tank now using the barbed bulkhead and now I am nervous of this ahhh!! Hopefully set it once and be done.

muggle0981 · Jun 26, 2019

Ive had this tank system running for 8 years

Only reason messing with returns is i replaced my scwd that died for a t barb early spring. Needed to change hosing around for connections needing additional hosing and used a clear hose not thinking it would generate algae in the line. So tonight was to retube the lines and clean up.

Unfortunately, im not comfortable enough to switch out the bulkhead so gonna have to defer to my lfs who ive been loyal to probably for the last 10 years. Ran a 55g for two years before this system

Dom · Jun 26, 2019

Flippers4pups said:
Yep, going to need to replace the bulkhead.

I'm not so sure... Was it a screw in barb to which a hose can be connected? It may just be the barb that needs replacing.

Dom · Jun 26, 2019

I use threaded to slip bulkheads along with PVC.

But I have to say that I have been considering switching to barbed bulkheads and tubing as the gradual directional changes quiet the water flow. Also, vibrations from pumps are not amplified the way they are throughout PVC.