I need a Bulkhead & plumber expert for advice PLEASE

RodInCALIFORNIA

RodInCALIFORNIA

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Aug 5, 2008
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ROD
ok heres my question: i am trying to make a DIY wet dry filter using a sterlite 3 drawer plastic file cabniet top drawer will be filter floss, middle drawer will be bio balls, bottom drawer will be lava rock. I am so ignorant about the plumbing parts like what they are called exactly what size i need and where to buy them. I have attached a pic of a wet dry filter showing the part i need to get so i can make my filter i know its a bulkhead but the terms they use for them are confusing to me like threaded or slip to slip. ok my overflow box i bought i have attached a pic of also it has a 1 inch u-tube and a 1 inch drain to the sump so i know i will need a 1 inch bulk head for my filter im building right? and what exactly is the pvc fitting called i will need that goes on the top of the filter that the hose from the overflow box connects to the top of the filter? what is the right size i need and please be specific about what its called and stuff because i dont know the terms used for these pieces - thank you for any help - rod

eshoppswetdryfilter.jpg ScreenShot001.jpg
 
Be careful with sterlite as they use the cheapest plastic brittle that can actually crack even thought its supposed to be tough and pliable. It is also some of the thinnest material compared to Tupperware. Also remember that in a rectangular plastic box there is no support to hold the sides together if any of the containers is filled past 50% it will bulge and warp in the sides. You should fill your container up with the maximum exspected level now and let it set for a while to test it, unless its an already proven container that is known to work as a sump.
 
Without knowing the size of the U tube you cannot tell what size fittings you will need. If you go to Orchard Supply Hardware you can probably buy some clear tubing and barbed nipples to make whatever you need.
Here is a supplier: http://www.clearpvcpipe.com/hosebarbfittingsclampsforclearpvctubing.aspx
Barbed nipples:
hose_barb_fitting.jpg
 
no problems gunner already tested keeps its shape and will be sitting above the water so all's good there on that part of my project. seems to be quite heavy duty maybe they make a "heavy" grade sold to office's this is one from a office supply its not thin and cheap like the line they sell at walmart for cheap.
 
The suggestion to go to OSH is a good one. Piece stuff together, it'll be easier that way.

Threaded fittings are just that, threaded, either female or male. Slip fittings are used to bind directly to PVC tube, where you have to use PVC cement and they aren't removable. They make both in bulkheads. You want to use threaded bulkheads.

You'll then need some way to hook up to the overflow. You'll have to get a union fitting that's threaded on one end, and the other end should be whatever the overflow tube is going to hook up to, which is up to you.
 
well i just picked up a sump and it uses these fittings.. 1 one inch elbow a 2 inch long piece of 1 inch pvc and a slip fitting for the bottom of the elbow..

like this
100_1806.jpg


100_1805.jpg


these are the parts it uses
3 inch piece of 1" pvc
1" elbow thredded one end
1" slip bushing threded

or
90* elbow and slip bushing

http://www.homedepot.com/Building-M...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

this could be used instead of the elbow but you ll also needs the slip bushing, instead of the thredded bushing

http://www.homedepot.com/Building-M...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

if you use the actual sump return hoses you shouldent needs to add nothing to your overflow box the hose will slide right over the pvc pipe sticking outa the bottom of it..
 
Thanks Rollinondubz200 your info was what i needed help with! gunner i will post pics and info as time permits on working on this DIY filter my schedule is crazy so it doesnt leave much time to fiddle with pet projects so it may take a while im still thinking this over as to how i want to set it up before i actually start drilling and cutting on it. im not a real DIY'er like you but i wish i was YOU DA MAN BUDDY !
 
I did make a mod to the overflow box last night i had seen other people do to them on DIY posts on the internet. I drilled a small home in the TOP of the u-tube and added a airline tube nipple and used crazy glue gel to seal it in place it fit in the hole really tight and a little of the thick glue sealed that very tight and no air leaks YEA. I plan on connecting a aqua lifter to the nipple i added so that during a power failure the aqua lifter would remove any air that might get into the u-tube during a shut down so it will automatically restart even tho i have read people say they have no problems with there overflow boxes restarting on there own i just wanted the added piece of mind of using a aqua lifter. well i tested it this morning and it works perfect i hooked a aqua lifter up to the u-tube stuck the u-tube down in a bucket of water and it removed all the air from inside the u-tube so that part of my project came out great, now to ponder the rest of my filter as time permits.
 
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