Plumbing

[John]

Okay I have my barbed bulkheads so in order to make things less complicated i've opted to plumb the tank using Spa Flex. My question is if im using all spaflex can I add slip ball valves and unions by just using pvc primer (the purple stuff) to glue the spa flex into the slip valve or union. In the future could this cause a problem or what? Im clueless when it comes to plumbing and need serious help here! =/

 

[michael stern]

I've never seen a barbed bulkhead. If it is what I imagine it to be, you can't use flex pvc with it. I don't think you'll be able to get a tight fit. It's not flexible enough. You need to use regular flexible hose.

Anyone else???

 

[House of Laughter]

John,

Flex PVC may work on a barb fitting, but you would have to heat the hell out of it, and it's not the best application (read doomed to fail here).

As for glueing it into the slip unions, elbows or anything else, yes, use primer and glue.

Don't forget to put a small bead of glue on the outside seam once it's set to avoid microbubbles.

Good luck.

House

 

[John]

Okay so besides regular flexible hose what are my options. I mean these bulkheads came in the AGA overflow kit I cant imagine everyone using flexible hose. Michael Here is a picture of one of the bulkheads

 

[michael stern]

As far as I know, regular flex hose is your only choice (with a SS clamp). And you can't use flex hose in your slip union. (you'd need a couple of adapters). If you want to go flex pvc (I would), why don't you just order another bulkhead (www.savko.com)

Michael

 

[House of Laughter]

John,

You buy new ones that have slip fittings and sell those on ebay or RC - Or use flex hose like I did with my AGA stuff (Herman, you'll see that).

Also, My AGA came with a straight barb and a 45 degree barb that I put into the bulkhead - did yours come with that or stock like that?

House

 

[michael stern]

John,



Don't forget to put a small bead of glue on the outside seam once it's set to avoid microbubbles.



House

House, does that really work? I'm having a problem with microbubbles.

 

[House of Laughter]

worked for me, I have no M-bubbles - I dripped the glue on the outside where the pvc slips into whatever (elbow, "t", etc) and then wipe it all the way around with paper towel and let it dry. Once dried, let her rip.

House

 

[michael stern]

Do you think I could do that while running? It's dry.

 

[House of Laughter]

not sure, all I can think of if there is a small hole, the glue gets slowly sucked into your water column, and that's probably not good.

I would turn it off for 20 mins or so, do it as soon as you turn off, then turn on again in 20m

replied on the other thread re: strainers/screens - thanks,

House

 

[Tim]

John is that barbed glued in already? If not you can glue the spa hose into the bulkhead.Just put a union between the sump and your tank. You also need special glue for the spa hose it is in a light blue can.Savco.com carries it.

 

[John]

At first I thought the barb would come out but The barbed is actually built right into the bulkhead. I have never seen anything like it. This is the new AGA overflow series with the overflow in the middle of the tank instead of in the corner. Maybe they came with new overflow kits as well I dont know but tomrorow im heading to fishtown to talk to noel and get this sorted out!