Ideas for extending down pipes a half inch

[JoJosReef]

Hi all,

I have a slight problem with my plumbing in that I am raising the tank 1/2" over the stand, but that is going to cause an issue with my pre-assembled plumbing, which is glued together and will then no longer enter into the hold cutout. I need to extend the tubing a half inch down (almost exactly, because then it will bump the bottom of the cutout if it's too long).

Any ideas? Do I have to cut the tubes and add a connector between them (uggggh)? Or is there an extension I could use from the coupling at the top of the tube at the overflow box?

Appreciate the ideas. Thanks!

 

[Red_Beard]

If it is slip coupled, you have to cut it and couple it with a longer piece or replace it. If the top of your union is threaded, just get the next size up nipple.

 

[JoJosReef]

If it is slip coupled, you have to cut it and couple it with a longer piece or replace it. If the top of your union is threaded, just get the next size up nipple.

Not 100% on the terminology, but the down tube screws into the part attached to the overflow box, so threaded. I hate to ask... What's a nipple?

 

[fishguy242]

Not 100% on the terminology, but the down tube screws into the part attached to the overflow box, so threaded. I hate to ask... What's a nipple?

Threaded nipple ,1"long ,that way you can screw it into both pieces 1/2",and gain your 1/2" needed

 

[Dan_P]

Yes, you will have to cut the pipe and remodel piping.

 

[fishguy242]

This is example of what it will look like but in pvc.
Not to scale lol

 

[VintageReefer]

This is his pipe setup

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

2 slip to slip connectors
2 unions
1 piece of PVC
Just make sure the unions are the same brand probably HD or Lowes stock your only going to use 1/2 of it, so the threads have to be the same.
If for whatever reason you can't find the same unions you will need new bulkheads also.
Personally I would throw all the plumbing away and use fancy pants SCH 80 with colored pipe but... Thats me, because I am fancy pants....

 

[VintageReefer]

2 slip to slip connectors
2 unions
1 piece of PVC
Just make sure the unions are the same brand probably HD or Lowes stock your only going to use 1/2 of it, so the threads have to be the same.
If for whatever reason you can't find the same unions you will need new bulkheads also.
Personally I would throw all the plumbing away and use fancy pants SCH 80 with colored pipe but... Thats me, because I am fancy pants....

 

[JoJosReef]

2 slip to slip connectors
2 unions
1 piece of PVC
Just make sure the unions are the same brand probably HD or Lowes stock your only going to use 1/2 of it, so the threads have to be the same.
If for whatever reason you can't find the same unions you will need new bulkheads also.
Personally I would throw all the plumbing away and use fancy pants SCH 80 with colored pipe but... Thats me, because I am fancy pants....

I'm so happy that I get to use that one!

 

[JoJosReef]

This is his pipe setup

Do we have an exact diameter of this tubing? I image it's standard like 1 or 1.5 inch, right?

 

[VintageReefer]

I wanna say it’s 1”

 

[Gregg @ ADP]

I would just cut it somewhere in the middle, add a slip x slip coupling (please cement it), and then cut off whatever is extra on the bottom piece so that it fits.

 

[REEFRIED!]

I would just cut it somewhere in the middle, add a slip x slip coupling (please cement it), and then cut off whatever is extra on the bottom piece so that it fits.

This wouldn’t work. Unless adding one coupling gains him the 1/2” he’s looking for, which is doubtful. It could be achieved by not fully seating the pipes in the coupling all the way, cheating them both a bit, but I don’t love that idea

Without buying another union, only to use one half of it, and without having to buy or re do the 90 degree fittings the easiest solution is that you would most likely have to add two new couplings. With a straight piece of pipe in between them cut to length that allows for the tank to be raised.

 

[Gregg @ ADP]

This wouldn’t work. Unless adding one coupling gains him the 1/2” he’s looking for, which is doubtful. It could be achieved by not fully seating the pipes in the coupling all the way, cheating them both a bit, but I don’t love that idea

Without buying another union, only to use one half of it, and without having to buy or re do the 90 degree fittings the easiest solution is that you would most likely have to add two new couplings. With a straight piece of pipe in between them cut to length that allows for the tank to be raised.

Oops, I misread it and thought he would need to shorten it. Thanks for correcting me.

 

[JoJosReef]

Without getting tio overwhelming, would the best bet be to go to Home Depot with the glued tubes and see what "fittings" might work? Zero, and I mean ZERO experience with plumbing. All AIOs up until now.

Thanks all for the input!

 

[VintageReefer]

Do you not have 1/2” here? Why can’t the pipe enter the cabinet 1/2” higher

 

[Red_Beard]

If these are threaded at the top of the union

replace the threaded piece that goes between them, that is the 'nipple' in this case likely called a 'close nipple' meaning wholly threaded both sides, and there will be no gap between the other two fittings when coupled. You would want a 1/2 inch nipple (not common, you may not find one) or a 1" nipple (1" length, not pipe diameter, you will have to make sure you get the right size). that will lengthen your pipe by roughly an inch though. Other than that, best solution is to replace the whole of it.

 

[VintageReefer]

For a 1/2” I would suggest just getting a pipe stretcher and calling it a day. Show us which one you pick and we can tell you how to use it

 

[VintageReefer]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Fernco-1-in-x-1-in-DWV-Flexible-PVC-Coupling-P1056-100/202245805