what is bulk head size for AGA 120 gal tank?

viodea · #1 01/07/2008, 07:35 PM

I have a AGA 120 dual overflow tank. 48"x24"x24".
I need to replace the bulk head. I went to HD but they didn't have any bulk head. I'm about to order it online but not sure how to measure it.

I try to use the compress fitting at HD to figure out the size, it's like between 1 1/4" and 1 1/2". It looks like some odd size.

I also want to connect the bulk head to my piping in a way that I can easily disconnect my bulk head and my plumping without cutting any pipe. The reason I had this problem was the guy did the plumping connect a union to a pipe to the bulk head. There was no way to take out the bulk head when I move the tank without cutting the pipe. Now I have to do the whole plumping. I know it sounds a little complicated. I'll try again if this is not clear enough.

thanks in advance!!!

SuperAWE · #2 01/07/2008, 07:41 PM

Should be 1" and 3/4" bulkhead fittings that is the pipe size. Actually hole DIA will be: 1-3/4" for the 1" and 1-1/2" for the 3/4"

MMM33732 · #3 01/07/2008, 07:41 PM

You measure it by what size pipe will fit inside it. If you can take it out of the tank, measure the size of the hole in the glass. 1 1/2" bulkheads should have a 2 3/8" (62 mm) hole in the glass. 1" bulkheads should have a 1 3/4" (45 mm) hole in the glass.

viodea · #4 01/07/2008, 07:47 PM

thanks guys. I'll go measure it tonight.

Also, the return line back to the tank is designed to use soft tube instead of hard PVC. Is there a way that I can some how use the screw thread on the bulk head for a secure connection? Actually, the the thread on the bulk head to connect my overflow is nice too if it's possible. Any idea?

kgross · #5 01/07/2008, 08:50 PM

You can get threaded hose barb adapters in the borgs. They are sometimes near the sprinkler pipe area not around the normal PVC stuff.

Kim

viodea · #6 01/07/2008, 09:41 PM

what is borgs?

kgross · #7 01/07/2008, 10:00 PM

Home Depot, Lowes Manards etc. Any large hardware store.

Kim

viodea · #8 01/07/2008, 10:19 PM

The hole size is around 1 3/4" and the pipe size (inner dia.) is around 1 1/4".
Did I have the wrong size bulk head? Should I get the 1" bulkhead?

MMM33732 · #9 01/07/2008, 11:29 PM

1 3/4" hole in the glass should be a 1" bulkhead.

sjm817 · #10 01/07/2008, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SuperAWE
Should be 1" and 3/4" bulkhead fittings that is the pipe size. Actually hole DIA will be: 1-3/4" for the 1" and 1-1/2" for the 3/4"

This is correct and what AGA uses. Any decent LFS should have them.

viodea · #11 01/08/2008, 12:26 AM

does it mean I got a wrong bulkhead?

sjm817 · #12 01/08/2008, 12:40 AM

It is confusing. A 1" bulkhead has a 1.75" OD and 1.25" ID.....to accept 1" PVC......which has a 1.25" OD and 1" ID....which is why it is a 1" bulkhead. A piece of 1" PVC should fit in the bulkhead for a quick test.

viodea · #13 01/08/2008, 12:41 AM

looks like this is what I need. Can anyone confirm it?

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/.../6885/cid/1895

I think it's either BKF13 or BKF11. This way, I can just screw in my pipe to it without using clue, can't I?

sjm817 · #14 01/08/2008, 12:48 AM

The 11 is slip on one side, thread on the other. That is what I use. Slip on the inside so you can just press fit the standpipe for easy removal, thread on the bottom so you can install plumbing that can be later removed. For the return (3/4" side), I use thread on both. You want a secure (but removable) connection in the overflow for the inner return pipe.

viodea · #15 01/08/2008, 12:50 AM

Can I use this to connect to the bulkhead on my previous post?

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/.../7305/cid/1898

It's the 436010 - 1" Male Adapter.

The bulk head is FIPT and the adapter is MNPT. Can I fit them together?

thanks

sjm817 · #16 01/08/2008, 12:57 AM

Yes. The bottom of mine is a threaded bulkhead, with an adaptor like what you show to slip. On the bottom of the slip, I have a union connector. The Union makes for easy plumbing removal if needed. The threaded bulkhead allows removal of the union if need be without cutting.

viodea · #17 01/08/2008, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sjm817
The 11 is slip on one side, thread on the other. That is what I use. Slip on the inside so you can just press fit the standpipe for easy removal, thread on the bottom so you can install plumbing that can be later removed. For the return (3/4" side), I use thread on both. You want a secure (but removable) connection in the overflow for the inner return pipe.

Do you think I can use the same kind but 1/2" bulk head and a ball valve to make a faucet for a Brute trash can which I use for RO/DI water.

sjm817 · #18 01/08/2008, 01:09 AM

Never tried a bulkhead, but they should work. I use Uniseals in Brutes and they work well.

viodea · #19 01/08/2008, 01:18 AM

I think this is the last piece of the puzzle.
Since I can't play with the fitting online, I want to make sure I got the right union.

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/.../7399/cid/1916

I think 458010 - 1" union is the right one for me but want to be sure before I pull the trigger.

btw. What is FNPT & FIPT? Are they different thread size?

viodea · #20 01/08/2008, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sjm817
Never tried a bulkhead, but they should work. I use Uniseals in Brutes and they work well.

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/.../8600/cid/2009
Is this what you are talking about?
I thought about this but worry about the durability. I guess I'll try this out too.
What size do you use?

thanks again!!!

sjm817 · #21 01/08/2008, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by viodea
I think this is the last piece of the puzzle.
Since I can't play with the fitting online, I want to make sure I got the right union.

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/.../7399/cid/1916

I think 458010 - 1" union is the right one for me but want to be sure before I pull the trigger.

btw. What is FNPT & FIPT? Are they different thread size?

Those are threaded unions. You have a thread to slip adaptor from the bulkhead. If you use that, you want slip unions. If not, you would need a piece of threaded PVC to go between the threaded bulkhead and the union.

The uniseals work surprisingly well. I use 1" in a 44G Brute.

viodea · #22 01/08/2008, 08:45 AM

I thought it would be easier to take it apart. I guess with a union, I don't really need to worry about that.

How far from the bottom of your Brute did you drill your hole? Is water pressure a problem for those uniseals?

sjm817 · #23 01/08/2008, 09:02 AM

Its as low on the can as I could get it. Its been over a year and hasn't leaked a drop

hllywd · #24 01/08/2008, 03:20 PM

If you have a TSC (Tractor Supply Company) locally they normally have some bulkheads. The ones I got seemed a little more heavy duty but still Sch 40.
My MegaFlow tank takes 2 - 1" and 2 - 3/4" bulkheads. I stubbed straight PVC out the bottom and used Ferncos to connect to my plumbing. A Fernco is a rubber sleeve that has a hose clamp on each end, a piece of PVC slips in each end and you tighten the clamps. Works like a charm and may be completely disassembled.

Tim