So for years now I’ve bought my bulkheads from BRS (Bulk Reef Supply) for several reasons. They have reasonable prices, great customer service, information on sizing/drill bit size, videos, etc. The information below will help you:
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
How to Select the Correct Bulkhead
Categories:
Plumbing
Bulkheads allow you to transfer water from one side of an aquarium to the other and allow for traditional PVC plumbing to be connected. In most aquariums, bulkheads are used for drain and return pipes on your display tank but can be used for many other things too. Some tanks come pre-drilled for bulkheads and sometimes may not include them. Knowing the exact size bulkhead that you will need can be a little tricky, since the diameter of the hole in your tank does not exactly correspond to your plumbing size (i.e., 2.25” diameter hole does not equate to 2.25” PVC plumbing).
There are some cases when you can use multiple sizes of bulkheads for a single sized hole, in those instances we suggest using the largest bulkhead that will fit properly.
Bulkhead Materials:
- ABS Bulkheads – By far the most common type of bulkhead used and are very reliable.
- Schedule 80 Bulkheads – Heavy Duty bulkheads that can be re-used and come with a nut that is much easier to install and remove if required. Schedule 80 bulkheads do need a slightly larger diameter hole than ABS bulkheads.
Bulkhead Configurations: All bulkheads come in a Female x Female configuration and all fittings, or pipe will be attached to the interior of the bulkhead. The threads on the outside of the bulkheads are made for the retaining nut to be threaded onto only. The external threads will not accept any type of plumbing fittings.
- Slip x Slip – Requires the use of Slip type plumbing fittings and PVC cement.
- Thread x Thread – Requires the use of NPT Threaded PVC fittings.
- Slip x Thread – The in-tank side of the bulkhead will demand the use of PVC Slip type fittings and the exterior will need NPT Threaded PVC fittings.
- Thread x Slip - The exterior side of the bulkhead will require the use of PVC Slip type fittings and the interior in-tank side will require NPT Threaded PVC fittings.
Selecting a Bulkhead
- Measure the diameter of the hole in your aquarium in inches or millimeters.
- Using the chart below match up the properly sized bulkhead for your hole. We suggest choosing the largest bulkhead that will fit in the hole in your aquarium.
| Bulkhead Size | Maximum Hole Size | Minimum Hole Size | PVC Plumbing Size |
| 1/2" ABS Bulkhead | 44mm/1.72" | 27mm/1.06" | ½” PVC or ½” NPT Threads |
| 3/4" ABS Bulkhead | 52mm/2.04 | 34mm/1.33" | 3/4” PVC or 3/4” NPT Threads |
| 1" ABS Bulkhead | 68mm/2.67" | 42mm/1.65" | 1” PVC or 1” NPT Threads |
| 1 1/4" ABS Bulkhead | 77mm/3.05" | 51mm/2.00" | 1 1/4” PVC or 1 1/4” NPT Threads |
| 1 1/2" ABS Bulkhead | 86mm/3.38" | 59mm/2.32" | 1 1/2” PVC or 1 1/2” NPT Threads |
| 2" ABS Bulkhead | 98mm/3.85" | 72mm/2.83" | 2” PVC or 2” NPT Threads |
| 1/2" Sch 80. Bulkhead | 51mm/2" | 32mm/1.25" | ½” PVC or ½” NPT Threads |
| 3/4" Sch 80. Bulkhead | 59mm/2.32" | 41mm/1.61" | 3/4” PVC or 3/4” NPT Threads |
| 1" Sch 80. Bulkhead | 65mm/2.55" | 48mm/1.88" | 1” PVC or 1” NPT Threads |
| 1 1/4" Sch 80. Bulkhead | 83mm/3.28" | 59mm/2.31" | 1 1/4” PVC or 1 1/4” NPT Threads |
| 1 1/2" Sch 80. Bulkhead | 90mm/3.54" | 64mm/2.56" | 1 1/2” PVC or 1 1/2” NPT Threads |
| 2” Sch 80. Bulkhead | 103mm/4.05" | 81mm/3.18" | 2” PVC or 2” NPT Threads |
Example: If your hole diameter is 1.75” then you will want to use a ¾” ABS Bulkhead, or you could choose between the ½” and ¾” Schedule 80 Bulkheads.
Installing Bulkheads
- With the bulkhead in your hand unscrew the retaining nut that comes pre-installed on the external threads of the bulkhead.
- Clean both sides of the hole in your tank and the bulkhead for any foreign debris or objects that may affect the seal of the bulkheads O-ring.
- With the O-ring against the flange side of the bulkhead, install it with the flange inside the tank, and the external threads are sticking out of your tank. The bulkhead should fall into the hole with no resistance. Any resistance on the bulkhead means the bulkhead is too large for the hole in the aquarium.
- While holding the bulkhead screw on the retaining nut. The retaining nut should be installed hand tight, and the bulkhead should not be allowed to move. (Overtightening of the retaining nut may cause damage to the bulkhead and/or aquarium)
If you have any other questions or need further help contact our reefing experts at 763-432-9691.
1/2" ABS Bulkhead Slip X Slip Dimensions (see diagram)
A - 44mm/1.72"
B - 43mm/ 1.69"
C - 27mm/1.06"
Installation Hole Size - Use our 30mm Diamond Coated Glass Drill Bit for DIY installation
3/4" ABS Bulkhead Slip X Slip Dimensions (see diagram)
A - 52mm/2.04"
B - 50mm/1.98"
C - 34mm/1.33"
Installation Hole Size - Use our 35mm Diamond Coated Glass Drill Bit for DIY installation
1" ABS Bulkhead Slip X Slip Dimensions (see diagram)
A - 68mm/2.67"
B - 63mm/2.48"
C - 42mm/1.65"
Installation Hole Size - Use our 45mm Diamond Coated Glass Drill Bit for DIY installation
1 1/4" ABS Bulkhead Slip X Slip Dimensions (see diagram)
A - 77mm/3.05"
B - 71mm/2.80"
C - 51mm/2.00"
Installation Hole Size - Use our 53mm Diamond Coated Glass Drill Bit for DIY installation
1 1/2" ABS Bulkhead Slip X Slip Dimensions (see diagram)
A - 86mm/3.38"
B - 73mm/2.87"
C - 59mm/2.32"
Installation Hole Size - Use our 60mm Diamond Coated Glass Drill Bit for DIY installation
2" ABS Bulkhead Slip X Slip Dimensions (see diagram)
A - 98mm/3.85"
B - 73mm/2.87"
C - 72mm/2.83"
Installation Hole Size - Use our 75mm Diamond Coated Glass Drill Bit for DIY installation
