Bulk head in 32 gal brute trash can

joeogio

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 17, 2013
Messages
145
Reaction score
1
Location
Bristol, TN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Im going to be installing a 1" bulkhead in a 32g brute can and I was wondering if anyone has installed one In the side of it before I would really like to put it on the side near the bottom to drain water out of but didnt know if the curvature of the side would prevent it from sealing or if it woud bend straight enough to seal once you tighten it up.
 

trido

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 22, 2010
Messages
1,636
Reaction score
1,062
Location
Lynnwood, Washington
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
The bulkhead will flatten the spot provided you don't drill it too close to the rounded bottom. I usually but an elbow on the inside pointed down so the pipe will siphon out the extra inch of water below the bullkhead.
 

AZDesertRat

5000 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 25, 2009
Messages
5,090
Reaction score
1,323
Location
Phoenix AZ
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
You might be better off using a Uniseal instead of a bulkhead, it will conform to the curvature of the can and seal better. They are designed for just this purpose.
 
OP
OP
joeogio

joeogio

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 17, 2013
Messages
145
Reaction score
1
Location
Bristol, TN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
The bulkhead will flatten the spot provided you don't drill it too close to the rounded bottom. I usually but an elbow on the inside pointed down so the pipe will siphon out the extra inch of water below the bullkhead.

I like that idea thanks!
 

Coraloliseffect

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
369
Reaction score
26
Location
Orlando
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Just my expirence. May have messed up uniseal some how. I tried a uniseal on a brut 38 gal I think. All it did was leak. Switched to a bulkhead been working for a year like a champ. No leaks. $.02
 
OP
OP
joeogio

joeogio

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 17, 2013
Messages
145
Reaction score
1
Location
Bristol, TN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
You might be better off using a Uniseal instead of a bulkhead, it will conform to the curvature of the can and seal better. They are designed for just this purpose.

Ah a Uniseal I knew those existed but I didnt realize they would work with a curved surface. And they are cheaper too, but I already purchased a bulkhead so im going to give it a try but thanks for the reply and advice
 

Jlobes

5000 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 30, 2012
Messages
5,997
Reaction score
1,250
Location
Behind the redwood curtain
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Ah a Uniseal I knew those existed but I didnt realize they would work with a curved surface. And they are cheaper too, but I already purchased a bulkhead so im going to give it a try but thanks for the reply and advice

That is their primary usage/design. A uniseal will work much better that trying to force a bulkhead to work. you will essentially be deforming the trash can to "fit" the bulkhead.
 
OP
OP
joeogio

joeogio

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 17, 2013
Messages
145
Reaction score
1
Location
Bristol, TN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Just my expirence. May have messed up uniseal some how. I tried a uniseal on a brut 38 gal I think. All it did was leak. Switched to a bulkhead been working for a year like a champ. No leaks. $.02

Ive heard Uniseals can be tricky because the size of the whole has to be just right where a bulkhead is more forgiving
 

AZDesertRat

5000 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 25, 2009
Messages
5,090
Reaction score
1,323
Location
Phoenix AZ
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Last edited:
OP
OP
joeogio

joeogio

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 17, 2013
Messages
145
Reaction score
1
Location
Bristol, TN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I find its the opposite, a bulkhead has a narrow O ring or gasketed sealing surface versus more rubber contact on the uniseal. Either way, both are only as good as the surface preparation and hole diameter.

You might find this sticky post useful:
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/eq...iltration/34973-installing-bulkhead-tips.html

Ill check it out, ive only installed bulkheads on glass and acrylic before and I have no experience with Uniseals I do like your advice about not putting lubricant on the rubber seal of a bulkhead ive had them try and squish out before it was tight (no fun)
 
OP
OP
joeogio

joeogio

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 17, 2013
Messages
145
Reaction score
1
Location
Bristol, TN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Also I will be installing some more bulkeads or Uniseals in a couple of more trash cans eventuality I will base my decision on what I do then on how this turns out if plans go accordingly ill be a tempting to install thie 1" bulkhead tonight so ill post a pic of the results later but I certainly appreciate the advice guys
 

AZDesertRat

5000 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 25, 2009
Messages
5,090
Reaction score
1,323
Location
Phoenix AZ
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
One problem with bulkheads is they don't like movement once installed. They should not be used to support weight like valves and fittings or it puts unequal stress on the gasket and eventually needs tightening up. Uniseals stay flexible so the nipple or whatever is inserted can flex and move around without losing its seal as long as it was snug when installed. You are correct in that it needs to be drilled the correct diameter since this is what provides the seal.
 
OP
OP
joeogio

joeogio

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 17, 2013
Messages
145
Reaction score
1
Location
Bristol, TN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
One problem with bulkheads is they don't like movement once installed. They should not be used to support weight like valves and fittings or it puts unequal stress on the gasket and eventually needs tightening up. Uniseals stay flexible so the nipple or whatever is inserted can flex and move around without losing its seal as long as it was snug when installed. You are correct in that it needs to be drilled the correct diameter since this is what provides the seal.

that makes sense, I'm going to drill the hole to 1.75" this should fit the bulkhead and brs sells a 1" uniseal so if this bulkhead gives me trouble I can switch it out for a uniseal
 
OP
OP
joeogio

joeogio

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 17, 2013
Messages
145
Reaction score
1
Location
Bristol, TN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Ok guys the bulkhead was a success ive got it installed and more than half way full of ro with no leaks all I need now is a couple of those ratcheting hose clamps (I actually have some just gotta find them ) fyi Walmart sells them in the automotive dept they come in a variety pack... anyways here are the pics that I promised
1392258320890.jpg
1392258664422.jpg


And the coolest part is if you open up the ball valve with it above the can you can see through the hose and it shows you how much water is in the can
 

Attachments

  • 1392258352317.jpg
    1392258352317.jpg
    35.6 KB · Views: 423

AZDesertRat

5000 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 25, 2009
Messages
5,090
Reaction score
1,323
Location
Phoenix AZ
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I don't see the gasket but hopefully it is on the outside between the flange and the can?
Another thing I see is excess flashing or plastic on the threads of the bulkhead, did you take a knife or file and make sure the flange surface was completely smooth so the gasket seats well? A few minutes preparation can save a ton of headaches.
 

trido

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 22, 2010
Messages
1,636
Reaction score
1,062
Location
Lynnwood, Washington
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
LOL its all a matter of preference. I've used bulkheads on over ten different garbage cans and large barrells for a few different set ups. Never had one leak.
 
OP
OP
joeogio

joeogio

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 17, 2013
Messages
145
Reaction score
1
Location
Bristol, TN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Yes the seal is between the can and the flange, I made no modification to the flange or thread of the bulkhead I did inspect the flange though.
 

FLSharkvictim

Shark Advocate
View Badges
Joined
Oct 11, 2016
Messages
1,441
Reaction score
1,329
Location
TAMPA , FL
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I just did my first test on my saltwater mixing station with my 35-gallon Brute cans with uniseals! Also, have uniseals as side markers to tell me how much water is in each barrel.
Did my first test and I am getting a leak on the output @ the bottom of my brute but not where I have my side markers located. I think am going to have to remove the uniseals and use Sch 80 bulkheads slip x thread for the main two outputs at the bottom of the barrels. Here a few shots of my DYI Mixing station. As you can see from the last picture i have zero leaks.. Here is pix of the bulkheads I have decided to use instead of the uniseals.


18893310_10213624114745881_111483334286466807_n.jpg


18767402_10213624114705880_2382615810239645482_n.jpg


18893310_10213624114745881_111483334286466807_n.jpg


18881820_10213624114825883_7840722608512030932_n.jpg


Screen Shot 2017-06-03 at 11.25.38 AM.png
 

Mastering the art of locking and unlocking water pathways: What type of valves do you have on your aquarium plumbing?

  • Ball valves.

    Votes: 68 52.3%
  • Gate valves.

    Votes: 67 51.5%
  • Check valves.

    Votes: 33 25.4%
  • None.

    Votes: 29 22.3%
  • Other.

    Votes: 9 6.9%
Back
Top