Did I screw up? Aqueon plumbing question

[GuppyHJD]

Ok...I have my Aqueon tank ready for water (I think). So I filled 1/2 the tank with water (leak test). I put a gallon or two in the overflow area (to leak test the bulkheads). No leaks....but I have water trickling into the sump so did I not understand , should I have glued the durso drains into the bulheads? The Aqueon plumbing snapped together...so I guess not waterproof. Is this normal? So all the water in the overflow towers can drain into the sump?

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Hi,

Can you take a pic, tell us what tank and set up you have. Will help us visualize the issue.

You should not glue bulkheads

 

[GuppyHJD]

Hi,

Can you take a pic, tell us what tank and set up you have. Will help us visualize the issue.

You should not glue bulkheads

Sure...the tank is a 120 Reef Ready Aqueon. It has two overflow towers, in each tower is a return pipe and a drain pipe. Both return and drain pipes are "pressed" into the 1" bulkheads. I will try to do photos...never tried to add photos here.

 

[cidermaster]

Yes it’s normal . Just make sure your sump can hold the water from your overflows also .in the case of a power outage it may take an hour or whatever for all that water to drain from your overflow towers this could over flow your sump if you didn’t account for it so Just pull your Durso pipe out to double check capacity of your sump.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Sure...the tank is a 120 Reef Ready Aqueon. It has two overflow towers, in each tower is a return pipe and a drain pipe. Both return and drain pipes are "pressed" into the 1" bulkheads. I will try to do photos...never tried to add photos here.

I think you have a durso set up. Water really should not trickle in until it gets to the top of the durso pipe. Otherwise when you pumps shut of the overflow will drain entirely. When pumps are off the water level is meant to stay in the overflow to the top of the durso opening. The pipe may just need to be pushed into the bulkhead a bit more.

Without seeing it, I am not 100% sure.

 

[cidermaster]

I think you have a durso set up. Water really should not trickle in until it gets to the top of the durso pipe. Otherwise when you pumps shut of the overflow will drain entirely. When pumps are off the water level is meant to stay in the overflow to the top of the durso opening. The pipe may just need to be pushed into the bulkhead a bit more.

Without seeing it, I am not 100% sure.

How would ever get it water tight without glueing it in place ? I have same setup as him (I think) and have pushed it as far as I can and it still leaks into the sump . I thought you weren’t suppose to glue the durso in place ?

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Without pics, just kinda of guessing on your set up.

For an example, I have a similar tank. Each corner has one return and one drain. The return has a bulkhead where the return pvc pipe inside the overflow screws into the bulkhead. The drain has a bulkhead where the pvc pipe just slides into it. It is a friction fit.

Your bulkheads may be totally different. Without seeing, would not be sure.

 

[GuppyHJD]

This is what I am working with - Aqueon 120 RR

That is the sump under the 120 RR tank.

This is where 1) there is some drips on the left drain (I just tightened the union at the top and bottom 2) this drain plumbing is putting a trickle of water in the sump (I closed the gate valve for now)

No leaking observed at this time
This is the left overflow in the tank ( I put 2" of water in the overflow to test for leaks).

Down into the overflow - both press into 1" bulkheads (not glued)

Hope this helps?
Thank you
Henry

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Ok,

So underneath all 4 pvc pipes should be glued into the slip fittings of the bulkheads. On the wet side in the bulk heads you definitely want the return secured. Otherwise once the pump is on the pipe will shoot off under pressure. Usually the return bulkhead has threads.

 

[GuppyHJD]

Ok,

So underneath all 4 pvc pipes should be glued into the slip fittings of the bulkheads. On the wet side in the bulk heads you definitely want the return secured. Otherwise once the pump is on the pipe will shoot off under pressure. Usually the return bulkhead has threads.

Thank you...underneath, all 4 pvc pipes are glued into the bulkheads. On the wet side, the bulkheads are all 4 slip fittings. My "fix" could be to glue the return pipes in ?

 

[GuppyHJD]

Thank you...underneath, all 4 pvc pipes are glued into the bulkheads. On the wet side, the bulkheads are all 4 slip fittings. My "fix" could be to glue the return pipes in ?

Makes me wonder, why all four do not have threaded on the wet side?

 

[theMeat]

If I’m understanding this right the pipes going into bulkheads in tank/overflow box/topside are not glued and leaking a lil. Not a problem, to be expected, and I wouldn’t glue them. On the bottom side the pipes should be glued in.
Carry on

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Thank you...underneath, all 4 pvc pipes are glued into the bulkheads. On the wet side, the bulkheads are all 4 slip fittings. My "fix" could be to glue the return pipes in ?

That definitely would be a problem not having threads on the returns. Once under pressure they will blow right off. The drains no big deals. Where did the bulkheads come from

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Here is the set up I used. Just pic your size.

My return is threadsxslip. Underneath I glued in the pvc, in the overflow I screwed in the return pvc standpipe

Bulkhead ABS Thread x Slip (Thread on the Flange/Head side)

Bulkheads are used to attach plumbing to aquariums and sumps to allow water to flow through them. These low profile reef safe bulkheads are made from black ABS plastic. Our supplier manufactures these slightly thicker than competitor aquarium bulkheads making them more reliable. Bulkheads come...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

My drain is slipxslip. I glued underneath and press fit in the overflow. Mine does not leak. The friction fit is enough. You can get threadxslip there too.

Bulkhead ABS Slip x Slip

Bulkheads are used to attach plumbing to aquariums and sumps to allow water to flow through them. These low profile reef safe bulkheads are made from black ABS plastic. Our supplier manufactures these slightly thicker than competitor aquarium bulkheads making them more reliable. Bulkheads come...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[GuppyHJD]

That definitely would be a problem not having threads on the returns. Once under pressure they will blow right off. The drains no big deals. Where did the bulkheads come from

The bulkheads I ordered from BRS. I replaced the bulkheads that came from Aqueon because those bulkheads were hose barb. The bulkheads from Aqueon are slip fitting also on the wet side.

 

[GuppyHJD]

Here is the set up I used. Just pic your size.

My return is threadsxslip. Underneath I glued in the pvc, in the overflow I screwed in the return pvc standpipe

Bulkhead ABS Thread x Slip (Thread on the Flange/Head side)

Bulkheads are used to attach plumbing to aquariums and sumps to allow water to flow through them. These low profile reef safe bulkheads are made from black ABS plastic. Our supplier manufactures these slightly thicker than competitor aquarium bulkheads making them more reliable. Bulkheads come...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

My drain is slipxslip. I glued underneath and press fit in the overflow. Mine does not leak. The friction fit is enough. You can get threadxslip there too.

Bulkhead ABS Slip x Slip

Bulkheads are used to attach plumbing to aquariums and sumps to allow water to flow through them. These low profile reef safe bulkheads are made from black ABS plastic. Our supplier manufactures these slightly thicker than competitor aquarium bulkheads making them more reliable. Bulkheads come...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

I could glue in 2" PVC into the return bulkhead, then put a thread female/male piece with pipe to the LocLine? Or just glue the return line into the bulkhead?

 

[Mastiffsrule]

The bulkheads I ordered from BRS. I replaced the bulkheads that came from Aqueon because those bulkheads were hose barb. The bulkheads from Aqueon are slip fitting also on the wet side.

I would just grab 4 thread x slip now and swap out. You can glue them if you want, but I like the ability to remove the pipes if needed. I am not exactly sure how you are describing gluing. If you glue. I would glue the wet side like you did underneath.

My tank is 11+ years and I have changed my plumbing a few times. It also give me access for cleaning and getting and occasional jumper fish out. It has been easier to unscrew and lift out the way it is set up.

 

[GuppyHJD]

If I’m understanding this right the pipes going into bulkheads in tank/overflow box/topside are not glued and leaking a lil. Not a problem, to be expected, and I wouldn’t glue them. On the bottom side the pipes should be glued in.
Carry on

theMeat,
What about the return pipes, if there are not glued, will the water pressure lift them out?

 

[GuppyHJD]

I would just grab 4 thread x slip now and swap out. You can glue them if you want, but I like the ability to remove the pipes if needed. I am not exactly sure how you are describing gluing. If you glue. I would glue the wet side like you did underneath.

My tank is 11+ years and I have changed my plumbing a few times. It also give me access for cleaning and getting and occasional jumper fish out. It has been easier to unscrew and lift out the way it is set up.

Ok...that also changed the underneath plumbing because I will have to cut that and either replace from the unions up on the drains and the valves up (probably replacing the unions and valves to get the halves needed).

 

[theMeat]

theMeat,
What about the return pipes, if there are not glued, will the water pressure lift them out?

Don’t think it’s shooting anywhere. The water goes through the pipe. If you greatly reduce the outlet it will build some pressure, likely still fine. If you want to make sure you could glue the pipe in and put slip/thread adapter up top