Bulkhead fittings. So hard to find. Help!

[KBlue]

Where are people finding bulkheads that work properly with PVC fittings? I’ve ordered a few sets off of Amazon and none of them work properly with PVC fittings. Home Depot sells bulkhead fittings that do fit PVC fittings but they are pretty chunky and bulky looking. I was hoping to find something a little more sleek. Any suggestions?

 

[KStatefan]

All of the online reef stores have them. I get mine from Supplyhouse.

 

[vtecintegra]

Curious. What do you mean the pvc fittings aren't working with the bulkheads? A 1" bulkhead and 1" fitting will need a piece of 1" pipe to connect the two.

 

[Sean Clark]

Lifeguard Aquatics has quality bulkheads.
Not sure what size or style you need.

https://a.co/d/1rNbfas

 

[DivingTheWorld]

Supply house is good for fittings. I think I got my bulkhead fittings from BRS.

 

[KBlue]

Curious. What do you mean the pvc fittings aren't working with the bulkheads? A 1" bulkhead and 1" fitting will need a piece of 1" pipe to connect the two.

It’s a very sloppy fit with the threaded PVC fitting in the threaded bulkhead. Where the one from Home Depot has a nice snug fit like it’s supposed to.

 

[Jamie814]

I've always used the ones from BRS with no issues??

 

[Steven Garland]

I always use LifeGard's. Granted I use mine for diy AIO tanks but I use pvc and have no issues always snug and a good fit.

 

[paintman]

savko.com for all your plumbing needs

 

[piranhaman00]

I think OP means threaded pvc, as they will not work with most bulkheads

 

[mike550]

@KBlue and @piranhaman00 bulkhead threads should all be NPT. @KBlue not trying insult you, but just to confirm you’re talking about threads of the bulkhead right? The external threads for the nut aren’t meant to connect to PVC.

 

[piranhaman00]

@KBlue and @piranhaman00 bulkhead threads should all be NPT. @KBlue not trying insult you, but just to confirm you’re talking about threads of the bulkhead right? The external threads for the nut aren’t meant to connect to PVC.

They are not, pvc (npt) will not work with abs bulkheads

 

[KStatefan]

They are not, pvc (npt) will not work with abs bulkheads

Since when? I have a number of ABS bulkheads with npt threads with pvc fittings in them.

 

[KBlue]

@KBlue and @piranhaman00 bulkhead threads should all be NPT. @KBlue not trying insult you, but just to confirm you’re talking about threads of the bulkhead right? The external threads for the nut aren’t meant to connect to PVC.

No offense. I’m talking about the internal threads not fitting well with the threaded male ends of PVC fitting.

 

[All_talk]

NPT is NPT, there is not a separate spec for ABS or PVC (or steel for that mater). But there is a difference in fitting quality, some will be closer to the correct spec for the thread.

I too have seen cheap fittings that have a loose fit and don't tighten until you are very deep into the taper, some even will bottom out before they seem tight. Low priced fittings from Amazon may not be the best quality.

Be aware there is also British Pipe threads in both tapered (BSPT) and parallel (BSPP), that are close, but not the same as NPT (National Pipe Thread). Not to mention metric.