My tank

[charlie]

I had to dip the ends in boiling water to get them to fit over the fitting I used. If you get the flex good and hot, it slips right on!!!!

[ibefishy]

Charlie, My question is what fittings did you use to go from the flexible black hose to the returns in your tank? I have 3 returns that I cant find any elbows that screw on to the returns completely. I used 3/4" id tubing for the returns but I feel as though the 3/4" is too small, I wanted to go up to 1" return line for it all, but can not find any elbows.

[charlie]

I will need to take a couple of pics of the fittings I used, Let me get back to you after dinner OK??

[charlie]

Here's a couple of pics of the 1" fitting that I used for my return from the refugium. They make these with 90 degree elbows also, is this what you were asking?

[ibefishy]

Thanks for the pics Charlie. I have those, what I am looking for is the 90 degree elbow that will screw onto the return bulkheads. All of the elbows that I have tried only screw on about 1 1/2 turns. Does everybody just silicone them really well or is there some other pvc elbow that everyone uses?
I hope that explains what I am looking for. I have been told that the threads on the bulkheads are straight thread and the pvc elbows are tapered.

Nate

[charlie]

Are you taping the threaded ends?

You could use a "mpt" PVC fitting into the bulkhead and then your 90. I have used these and PVC ever since I have been running a tank, they always worked for me.

[ibefishy]

No I havent been taping the threads, should I?
As far as the mpt thread I will look into that.

thanks

[charlie]

Yes, you should use teflon tape on all threaded joints. If you haven't had a leak yet, you will sometime down the rad when it becomes a real PITA to repair.

[ibefishy]

charlie after re-reading your post, yes I did use teflone tape. I will go take a photo of the back of my tank.

[charlie]

That's good, I was wondering how that had gotten done without water being everywhere.

A pic would be good!!

[ibefishy]

Charlie or anyone else, what I am looking for is the pvc elbow that threads on to the back of this bulkhead. The clear tubing is 7/8"od I think that makes the inner diameter around 5/8". I think this is really restricting my return. I was wanting to go up to 1" all the way around. I found the mpt that threaded into the bulkhead but is there any elbow or other fitting that can thread onto the outside threads?

[charlie]

It looks like a 1" bulkhead, am I correct in that thinking? You ought to be able to find a 1" pvc fitting that will screw on to the outside of the bulkhead, and depending on what type of fitting you get, the gray pieces that I showed you can fit into that. What size is the output on your return pump?

[ibefishy]

Yes charlie it is a 1" bulkhead. Everywhere I looked I couldnt find a fitting or elbow to screw onto the back of that bulkhead properly, they all went about 1 1/2 turns and then stopped. I guess I will look for a different style of fitting. The return pump is a Mag 12, and I believe it is a 3/4" output if I am not mistaken. I am currently at work so that is based on my trying to remember.
Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Nate

[charlie]

The thing is, if your output is 3/4, you are gonna pretty much have to stay with the 3/4.