Plumming Expert Advice Needed!

[aquasalt]

I recently replaced my Wet Dry with a DIY sump and have got everything running the way I imagined. However, at this point I am still using the return hose from the Wet Dry to drain into my sump. I was hoping to replace this with PVC, so I made a trip to Home Depot and got the closest PVC fittings I could find, which were 1". Of course the 1" was just a little too big for the drain bulkhead. Where do I go from here???

Thanks in advance!

[dobejazz]

Disclaimer * I no very little about plumbing*

I think my husband got some kind of reducer from the bulk head to the PVC

[Wiskey]

Yeah, you can get a reducer to go from the pipe size to the bulkhead size, but why were you only able to find 1" and larger? IME 1/2" is the easest to find.

Whiskey

[aquasalt]

Thanks for pitching in guys! Wiskey, they had a range of sizes, but I was trying to fit the PVC over the existing bulkhead, just like the current hose from the old Wet Dry. I suppose I could try to fit the pvc into the bulkhead, but am worried that it would be asking for trouble, i.e., a leak.

Plumbing is completely new to me, so forgive any stupid questions. What is a reducer? Anybody have any pictures?

[Jnicho]

If the bulkhead is a hose barb you may have trouble getting an exact fit...this is what I ended up using to go from the barb BH fitting to pvc:

[aquasalt]

That's exactly what I need, thank you for posting! What's the philosophy on plumbing the return?

[Jnicho]

Originally Posted by aquasalt

That's exactly what I need, thank you for posting! What's the philosophy on plumbing the return?

BTW...the Fernco came from HD.

I personally plumbed my return to split into two 1/2" lines like this:

[aquasalt]

Thanks again, I'll consider that mod down the road. In the meantime I have a more desperate situation--while I managed to successfully plumb the drain line, I also managed to loosen the bulkhead. Right now it's not a big deal since its about two drips a second and the return compensates for the volume of the leak. But I am very concerned that this thing is going to blow up in my face any minute. Please advise ASAP! I don't want to mess with the bulkhead without getting your opinion on it. Can I tighten the bulkhead without tearing the tank apart or will I likely make it worse.

I'd like to say goodnight, but I doubt I'll get any shuteye tonight.

[aquasalt]

I just spent another 30 minutes staring at it and have realized that it is leaking from inside the tank through the bulkhead and not from where the bulkhead makes contact with the glass on the outside. Hope that makes sense. Now what to do???

[Jnicho]

I think I would turn off the return pump so you are not working "hot". You may have to take your newly installed drain line loose to get to the bulkhead (can't tell ya for sure without being there). I would think you could then tighten the nut on the bulkhead. It shouldn't take much because there is no pressure in that line. Just be careful not to twist the fitting sideways as this is the most common way to crack the bottom glass.

Based on your description that's what I would do....Good Luck!!!

[aquasalt]

Thanks Jnicho. Good news is that we made it through the night in one piece. I have checked the bulkhead from under the tank and it seems to be tight. However, in the process of removing the old drain tube i felt the Durso turn a little and I think that the rubber seal around it (inside piece of the bulkhead shifted a little as a result). Should I still try to turn the bulkhead from underneath, or do I need to drain the Overflow and try to work on it from there? I have read that bulkheads should not be too tight and not too loose...there is a sweet spot.

This is so discouraging!

[Jnicho]

Originally Posted by aquasalt

Thanks Jnicho. Good news is that we made it through the night in one piece. I have checked the bulkhead from under the tank and it seems to be tight. However, in the process of removing the old drain tube i felt the Durso turn a little and I think that the rubber seal around it (inside piece of the bulkhead shifted a little as a result). Should I still try to turn the bulkhead from underneath, or do I need to drain the Overflow and try to work on it from there? I have read that bulkheads should not be too tight and not too loose...there is a sweet spot.

This is so discouraging!

Very true...IME the sweet spot is much looser than you would expect (as compared to normal plumbing fittings). It is very possible if the stand pipe turned that the gasket is "puckered" enough to cause your leak...If you know that it turned a little I would try to turn it back first...be extra careful messing with the stand pipe as you will have extra leverage to twist side to side. Sorry to harp on that again, but I've seen too many tanks cracked that way!

[aquasalt]

No, I appreciate that! So if worse come to worse and I have to drain the overflow, how do I remove the durso standpipe. I've played around with it in the past and had little succes in getting it to come loose. I certainly don't want to force it.

[Jnicho]

Originally Posted by aquasalt

No, I appreciate that! So if worse come to worse and I have to drain the overflow, how do I remove the durso standpipe. I've played around with it in the past and had little succes in getting it to come loose. I certainly don't want to force it.

Actually the more I think about it, I think most stand pipes just slip into place (I know mine do). Come to think of it, my returns just slip into the bulkhead too. I guess it's possible that it's glued in, but I've never glued mine so I can get them back out if needed.

That doesn't help much now does it? Sorry.

[aquasalt]

So you just pull yours up to release?