Bulkhead Quality

[BC Sparky]

Is there a difference in the quality of bulkheads available? If so- what should I be looking for?

I was looking at the clear ones available through Drs. Foster and Smith. Anyone using these?

[poppin_fresh]

like many things there are quality grades to bulkheads. Some companies sell "economy" and "high quality' bulkheads. The main difference appears to be how strong the plastic is, mainly in the threaded area. The real strong (and pricey) ones are the schedule 80 ones.

[Aadler]

ive used the dfs ones without any problems.

[BC Sparky]

Aadler- did you use the clear ones??? I was thinking they would be less obvious then the black for my closed loop.

Poppin'- I can't find a website that offers "high quality BH's". They are all very similar in pice- between $7 & $8 for 1"??? Any examples of the "economy" pricing level or are the ones I'm looking at "economy"? I only want to do this once and do not want to risk a bulkhead failing!

[poppin_fresh]

I got mine from aquatic eco systems (aquaticeco.com) so far so good.

The real secret is to not overtighten them. Mine are only finger tight and they dont leak! I have used a wrench on them in the past only to strip the threads and have them leak.

[Macimage]

This link is for the schedule 80 bulkheads that are heavy duty:

http://www.savko.com/PartList.asp?pgid=2&ptid=5

Here is the link to the lightweight bulkheads:

http://www.savko.com/PartList.asp?pgid=2&ptid=6

I use the heavy duty ones on everything (water flowing to sump, external sump bulkheads, water going back up through the tank bottom, etc.). The only place I feel comfortable using the lightweight bulkhead is drilling the 1/8 (maybe 1/4") acrylic overflow box to return water to the tank. If it fails, the worst that can happen is the water goes down my overflow box into the sump.

Joyce