Plumbing Return Fittings

maethuu · Nov 30, 2023

This is my first 40G Breeder build and my first time doing any real plumbing. I've figured out how to hard plumb my overflow. Seems simple enough and there's a ton of tutorials on how to do it in several different ways. I want to soft plumb my return but don't know what fittings I need. If I had the pieces laying around I'd be able to mess with them but I don't want buy a bunch of stuff I don't need.

Will a bulkhead > 3/4" PVC > 3/4'' 90 degree elbow barb x female thread > braided vinyl tubing work?
Or does it need to be a bit more complicated like bulkhead > 3/4" PVC > 90 degree slip x slip > PVC > ??? (I need the barb fitting here but don't what pieces work and fit together) I was thinking coupler to pipe adapter spigot x barb? But what even is a coupler and how do they fit lol.

BairCorals · Nov 30, 2023

Yeah your first idea works Just fine. Bulkhead-pvc pipe- 90- spigot barb- braided vinyl. Spigot barbs are nice because you can glue and don't have to worry about Teflon tape deteriorating into your system. And try to use the plastic ratcheting clamps for your hoses. Hope this helps!

maethuu · Nov 30, 2023

Thanks for the response. dang dude what a headache

Will these fittings in the picture work together? Or do I need a slip x slip 90 > spigot barb?
Streets fit into the inside on pvc correct?

BairCorals · Nov 30, 2023

So the spigot barb will fit inside the slip side of the 90 and the spigot side of the 90 will fit inside bulkhead. As long as everything is 3/4". If you want to make 100% sure, you can take your bulkhead to ace and see if their street 90s will fit inside. Or just buy it there and save like 1.50. I bought all my hard plumbing from lows and saved a bunch and just hit it with some krylon fusion spray paint to make it not white lol

maethuu · Nov 30, 2023

Got it. Thanks man. I'll run to lowes and play around with some pipes and fittings to familiarize myself with all of this stuff a bit better. Much appreciated.