Storage tank plumbing question

[Davidb6]

I just picked up two 44 gal Rubbermaid Brute containers to store my pre-made salt and my RO/DI water.

I built a stand out of 2x4s which will keep the containers about a foot off the floor. I would like to put a faucet type plumbing on each so I can fill buckets without opening the lid. I can find most of the PVC piping, shutoffs and elbows I need from Home Depot

Question – what type of PVC plumbing connection should I use to make sure I don’t have leaks from the hole I drill and will accommodate the curved containers?

Thanks

[ivgonmad]

use a bulkhead as small as possible and make sure you tighten it well but not so much that the gasket gets displaced.

GOOD LUCK!

[pescadero]

the device that you're looking for is commonly known as a bulkhead. i've never found them at HD, though you might be able to find them locally in a pool store. the online stores carry them for about $5-$10.

i saw a DIY thread where someone took male/female threaded PVC fittings and a rubber washer and made a DIY bulkhead. cost: $2.

[Davidb6]

Yea, I looked in HD and they had nothing that resembled a bulkhead fitting. A pool place, that makes sense.

[draleigh]

i would recommend spending the money on a bulkhead - not a DIY one. For a few dollars more you get one that had a larger surface area. after all you are talking about a 100 gallons of water. plus the cost of salt - just makes sense to spend a little more and get the right part.

[Fiziksgeek]

I've used up to 1.5" bulkheads on the 44g brute cans with no problems.

Originally posted by ivgonmad
use a bulkhead as small as possible

GOOD LUCK!

[Davidb6]

Where did you guys get the "bulkheads" your referring to? Plumbing supply, pool supply, etc?

Thanks

[Cove Beach]

www.savko.com they have pretty much anything you want as far as plastic fittings

[teena]

[teena]

[teena]

this is what i did,

[AZDesertRat]

They are also known as "tank adapters" in some catalogs.

[Davidb6]

Great link and pics. Teena, what's the clear tub running from the bulkhead up? I also see that the bulkhead looks strong enough that you don't have to support it...nice.

I also get some good info searching for "tank adapters"

Thanks

[AZDesertRat]

Thats a sight glass so you can see the level of the water in the tank. Great setup!

[bad santa]

Originally posted by AZDesertRat
Thats a sight glass so you can see the level of the water in the tank. Great setup!

very good idea. can you post a pic of the whole drum so i can ge an idea of how you hooked up the top fitting?

[Spuds725]

If you look locally for bulkheads--for smaller diameter bulkheads, check Ace Hardware-- I've seen some there 1/2" and 3/4"

For larger diameter check a farm supply store-- Tractor Supply Company (TSC) has 3/4", 1 1/4", and 2" bulkheads-- all threaded (inside and out)... the odd thing with these that I've never seen elsewhere is that the bulkhead nuts on the outside are reverse threaded

[Davidb6]

Thanks, I'll check ACE. I picked up 3/4 in pvc, elbows and shut offs already.

Sight glass...very cool idea! I'll have to steal that idea too. I'd also like to the the top of the tube to see what's going on.

Thanks

[tinmanny]

this place carrys some real strong bulk heads www.savko.com they will work good on a curved surface
Good luck
Manny

[teena]

ill try to get a better pic, thats just clear tubing, like he said so i can see how much water i have in there with out lifting the lid, let me try to get the pic, it may be sideways, its in the laundry room so i dont have room to stand back far enough,

[teena]

[teena]

the blue hose you see to the right is the RO unit, then that goes to this blue container, then i turn the valve & take out about 12g of water into the container under it & mix my SW,

[teena]

i got all the fittings at the plumbing store,

[bad santa]

thanks for the whole pic. Im going to have to copy that idea.

[teena]

let me know if you need more pics of anything,

[ctreefer]

very neat idea teena. I'll also be borrowing that water sight when I get around to doing my water change system.

thanks