What PVC fitting do I need?

[josh515025]

Hi I just got my first tank with plumbing and I’m doing a dry-fitting, the tank is a FijiCube 32 EXT.

I’m just stuck on the returns. It says they’re 1/2 so I have 1/2 PVC but it doesn’t go into this bulkhead thread. What piece do I need? Thanks for any help

 

[KStatefan]

Street elbow or a short piece of pvc

 

[josh515025]

Street elbow or a short piece of pvc

The PVC in the picture doesn’t go in… it’s the same width

 

[Gribbles]

DURA 3/4 in. Schedule 40 PVC slip x FIPT Female Adapter Fitting C435-007 - The Home Depot

Use this DURA Plastic Products 3/4 in. Schedule 40 PVC Female Adapter when installing or making repairs to an underground irrigation system. It has made to join 2 PVC pipes. It is manufactured from type

www.homedepot.com

Something like that?

 

[KStatefan]

The PVC in the picture doesn’t go in… it’s the same width

You will have to measure to see what size it is then

 

[josh515025]

You will have to measure to see what size it is then

It’s the same size 1/2”, do you think this will work?

 

[josh515025]

DURA 3/4 in. Schedule 40 PVC slip x FIPT Female Adapter Fitting C435-007 - The Home Depot

Use this DURA Plastic Products 3/4 in. Schedule 40 PVC Female Adapter when installing or making repairs to an underground irrigation system. It has made to join 2 PVC pipes. It is manufactured from type

www.homedepot.com

Something like that?

Yea I think that’ll work, so I would thread over the bulkhead and slip in 1/2” PVC right?

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

1/2" pvc pipe sizes are standard. Be sure that the blue pipe you have is actually 1/2" and not accidentally metric.

And if you're sure that it's 1/2" then ensure that the bulk head is standard and not metric.

Edit: after looking at your pictures, I'd lean more towards the bulkhead not being 1/2".

 

[KStatefan]

What is the ID of the bulkhead? The threads on the outside are not for fittings

 

[josh515025]

1/2" pvc pipe sizes are standard. Be sure that the blue pipe you have is actually 1/2" and not accidentally metric.

And if you're sure that it's 1/2" then ensure that the bulk head is standard and not metric.

Edit: after looking at your pictures, I'd lean more towards the bulkhead not being 1/2".

I got this from BRS as 1/2 PVC … but it’s not it right??

 

[josh515025]

What is the ID of the bulkhead? The threads on the outside are not for fittings

I purchased as 1/2” from BRS but appears slightly larger… it’s not just the angle of picture it’s just larger than 1/2”… they don’t even sell anything between 1/2” and 3/4 on their site which is weird.

 

[JayM]

Yea I think that’ll work, so I would thread over the bulkhead and slip in 1/2” PVC right?

No. No. No.

The external threads on a bulkhead are only for the nut. Those threads are not NPT like your PVC fittings are. If you use that fitting on your bulkhead, it will absolutely leak at some point. Usually in the middle of the night or when you’re gone for the day.

 

[josh515025]

No. No. No.

The external threads on a bulkhead are only for the nut. Those threads are not NPT like your PVC fittings are. If you use that fitting on your bulkhead, it will absolutely leak at some point. Usually in the middle of the night or when you’re gone for the day.

Ok thanks lol don’t wanna make that mistake

 

[JayM]

I purchased as 1/2” from BRS but appears slightly larger… it’s not just the angle of picture it’s just larger than 1/2”… they don’t even sell anything between 1/2” and 3/4 on their site which is weird.

Standard PVC sizes pretty much never match their advertised size. Your only concern is the outside diameter. 1/2” PVC has an OD of .840” (apx 13/16”). Your bulkhead should measure ever so slightly larger than that to facilitate assembly and glue.

 

[josh515025]

Standard PVC sizes pretty much never match their advertised size. Your only concern is the outside diameter. 1/2” PVC has an OD of .840” (apx 13/16”). Your bulkhead should measure ever so slightly larger than that to facilitate assembly and glue.

Thanks for the info! So my confusion is if the aquarium has 1/2” returns listed … and brs sent me 1/2” pvc pipe is one of them “wrong”?

The bulkhead on the tank is a “fitting” right so if it’s listed as 1/2 a 1/2 pvc pipe should technically slip in? Does it matter if it’s scheduled 40/80? (I believe chart above says no)

 

[josh515025]

Standard PVC sizes pretty much never match their advertised size. Your only concern is the outside diameter. 1/2” PVC has an OD of .840” (apx 13/16”). Your bulkhead should measure ever so slightly larger than that to facilitate assembly and glue.

This is like you said 13/16… but 1/2” pvc from BRS doesn’t fit it’s too large

 

[T€rm]

Since the tank is still dry , take the bulkhead out and head to your nearest Lowe’s/home depot and get a section of pvc that fits.

 

[josh515025]

Since the tank is still dry , take the bulkhead out and head to your nearest Lowe’s/home depot and get a section of pvc that fits.

Ok will do. Although I want to stick to schedule 80 blue plumbing for aesthetics and I haven't seen at the hardware store.

 

[JayM]

Thanks for the info! So my confusion is if the aquarium has 1/2” returns listed … and brs sent me 1/2” pvc pipe is one of them “wrong”?

The bulkhead on the tank is a “fitting” right so if it’s listed as 1/2 a 1/2 pvc pipe should technically slip in? Does it matter if it’s scheduled 40/80? (I believe chart above says no)

Schedule doesn’t matter. The OD will always be the same. It appears that BRS may have sent metric pipe. A 1/2” bulkhead should fit 1/2” PVC.

 

[Jamie814]

It appears that BRS may have sent metric pipe. A 1/2” bulkhead should fit 1/2” PVC.

I don't think BRS sells blue metric pipe. I would order a different 1/2" bulkhead first before mismatching the plumbing.