Small return bulkhead / plumbing options?

[NancyFish]

Solutions for return pipe /bulkhead? I have spa flex and could cut the bulkhead but I heard it’s better to leave their length?

I have a 1” bulkhead and built the stand where everything seems perfect, stand presses right against the wall while leaving a few inches for the overflow and pipes without touching. And I totally forgot my return pipe isn’t so forgiving.

First picture the wood is basically where my wall would be, so my 90 definitely won’t fit.

 

[Jamie814]

You can use a 1" pcv spigot elbow or hose barb and you should have enough room.

Or if you insist on the blue elbow just keep the tank 1" further away from the wall?

 

[KStatefan]

Might see them called street elbows also

 

[NancyFish]

You can use a 1" pcv spigot elbow or hose barb and you should have enough room.

Or if you insist on the blue elbow just keep the tank 1" further away from the wall?

The blue isn’t needed, it’s going to be snug to the wall. I bought blue pvc and white spa flex to see what worked out, but it’s the first time plumbing. I’ll look into the spigot elbow.

Even the overflow plumbing it makes sense to me now but I’m also wondering if the 1/2” to the wall - even though I can fit my hand easily to the first union and gate valve.

 

[NancyFish]

Might see them called street elbows also

So that would just fit in the bulkhead and act as a pvc and then drop down and I can connect my pipe straight to it?

I think I saw those when I was buying bulkheads and wondering how people get them out if their bulkheads broke or need to be replaced?

I imagine it would fit like this, which would be a great fit without changing the bulkhead. The 90 is just too much esp when I have to add the pvc to it and the bulkhead

 

[KStatefan]

Yes that is how it is glued in. Here is a picture of one side of mine.

That is the one downside of glued pvc it does not come apart and normally you cut it out and repalce.

 

[NancyFish]

Yes that is how it is glued in. Here is a picture of one side of mine.

That is the one downside of glued pvc it does not come apart and normally you cut it out and repalce.

Thanks for sharing, I had everything ordered and procrastinated all summer.

Can I ask, do you have any issues with it being so close to the wall? Or the sump being close to walls?

I had everything to where it “just” fits but I’m unsure if I’m going to regret this in the long run. My space was limited to begin with. And I keep thinking of salt creep etc which I hope would stay more in than tank than down the sides where I can’t clean without a total dismantle.

Those aren’t the pipes I’m using but the sump is still a tight fit

 

[KStatefan]

It can be a pain to run wires but other than that I do not do anything behind the tank

 

[NancyFish]

It can be a pain to run wires but other than that I do not do anything behind the tank

That’s a bit of relief, is that your tank that you ran flex pvc from the union right after the overflow on? I was going to ask how you like using that much flex pvc, and how it is from a union? I was planning on unions for my drains but with more rigid pipe, and maybe a coupler to flex . There’s just so many options to set this up and I keep feeling like it’s practically permanent in making the decision