Where to place my gate valve?

[Schulks]

I know it should be as low as possible and accessible but the real dilemma is, is this union worth it?

Without a union it fits right above the drain bulkhead no complications but no union.

With a union I have to place the gate valve before the 45s right below my bulkhead's union

or I cram it between the 2 45 degree bends.



Opinions? This is my first sump build so I feel like I have no idea what I am doing.

 

[Schulks]

I am leaning towards between the 2 45° bends.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Unions are always worth it.
The valve can be anywhere along that drain line, it doesn't have to be at a certain height.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I'm not sure I understand why there's already a union below the bulkhead... What purpose does it serve?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I'm not sure I understand why there's already a union below the bulkhead... What purpose does it serve?

*Is the pipe connected to the bottom of the bulkhead with a threaded fitting?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Assuming nothing is already glued, walk me through your drain pipe design...

 

[Schulks]

Ok the bulkhead is threaded in so to remove it I would have to bend the pipe some to raise it out. I guess that would be ok. The union there would just be so I don't have to undo the bulkhead. It would make removal a bit easier but is probably unnecessary.
Then I'll just have 2 45° bends to line up with the drain and the 2 sided slip gate valve goes anywhere in-between. If I take out the union at the bottom it would fit very nicely in the middle of the 45° section.

 

[Schulks]

Nothing is glued on the drain side yet.

The emergency drain is just 2 45° bends and the union is just there for the same reason as the main drain. Ease of disassembly

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Ok the bulkhead is threaded in so to remove it I would have to bend the pipe some I guess that would be ok.

I don't understand this... The part about bending the pipe. My method for plumbing is to make sure I can completely remove the bulkhead from the tank if needed. I also use threaded bulkheads and use a threaded coupling to attach the subsequent pipe below it. Pipe is glued to the other side of the coupling and the union is after that. This way, I can remove everything below the union and then unscrew the pipe from the bulkhead so the actual bulkhead can be disassembled.

The union there would just be so I don't have to undo the bulkhead. It would just make removal a bit easier but is probably unnecessary

I think you're describing what I wrote above...

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Sorry, I was writing my reply to your previous post before I saw your next one

 

[Schulks]

That makes sense. I'll flip the bulkheads over so the male part is in the bottom. I was just setting it up how they came from the manufacturer.

And I have the unions here already xP

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I still don't see the need for the second union (at the bottom, right before the sump). Maybe eliminating that will give you more room to work with?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

That makes sense. I'll flip the bulkheads over so the male part is in the bottom. I was just setting it up how they came from the manufacturer.

And I have the unions here already xP

Describe the bulkhead for me... When you hold it so it looks like a mushroom, is the inside of the top part (flange) threaded or smooth? What about the stem side (nut)?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

The threads on the outside are only for the bulkhead nut, not to attach any plumbing. All the pipe is "male" and both openings of the bulkhead are "female"

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Ultimately, place the valve where it will be most convenient to use. The relative height is not important.

 

[Schulks]

I guess this isn't really a bulkhead. It is a female socket to male FPT adapter with another female socket to female FPT.
This is what came with my Trigger Triton sump.

 

[Schulks]

It came with the rubber gasket that is on it in the picture too.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Ok, those are fine for the sump. I'm talking about the bulkheads on the tank.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

****Never mind!! I'm sorry, this is not an internal overflow. Ignore my plumbing suggestions regarding the bulkhead connections.

Sorry :/

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

When you mentioned your "bulkhead's union", my brain stopped paying attention to the pics showing this is an external overflow and went right to the way my plumbing is designed (for an internal overflow)