Schedule 40 vs Schedule 80 bulkhead.

[aravind90chan]

Hi, I am planning to drill and install a bulkhead in my 75g tank. I was wondering if I should choose schedule 40 or schedule 80 bulkhead.
If I choose Sch 80, am I restricted to use just Sch 80 pipes and fittings?

[Adam S]

Using a Sch 80 bulkhead over a standard ABS bulkhead is excessive for aquarium use.

If you go with Sch 80, you can use Sch 40 fittings and pipe (OD is the same). You lose any "strength" benefit of using Sch 80 though, and most colored fittings and pipe are Sch 40.

[JamesW]

Like Adam said it is overkill for an aquarium.
Schedule 80 is designed for higher pressure applications but schedule 40 is more than adequate. Schedule 40 is rated to deal with ~200 psi of pressure at 23C for 1.5" pipe. That corresponds to ~450 ft of head height! The bulkhead drain deals with a couple foot of head pressure (assuming it is under siphon and restricted) and even the largest of return pumps are only able to generate ~15 foot of head pressure.

Even schedule 40 is overkill for the pressures involved in a typical home aquarium. Schedule 80 is not worth the hassle and cost.

[aravind90chan]

Thanks a lot for the replies.

[LizStreithorst]

Sch is great for valves that have to be turned on and off every day. I can see no advantage to a sch 80 bulk head.

[slicksta]

I've had no problem with schedule 40 Lifeguard Aquatics bulkheads of any size.
And definitely don't buy the cheap no_name ones on eBay.

[LizStreithorst]

I bought mine from Jehmco.

[Hicgup]

I would be more concerned about the long term use of pvc in a system if the pvc is from China. There have been reports of long term use of Chinese pvc causing problems in Aquaculture systems.

[slicksta]

I would be more concerned about the long term use of pvc in a system if the pvc is from China. There have been reports of long term use of Chinese pvc causing problems in Aquaculture systems.

Long term exposure is not of concern at all. . . They'll crack and be leaking way before they can do any harm.
I had purchased one for an experimental project from a US seller on eBay and it was clearly inferior on inspection. When measuring the thread wall it was 25% thinner then that of the Lifeguard... Needless to say it failed within 6 months.