A PVC bulkhead fitting is a specialized plumbing fitting designed to create a watertight connection through a wall, tank, barrel, or reservoir. It allows pipes to pass through a solid surface (like the side of a water tank) without leaking.

Here’s how it works and what makes it unique:

Key Features:

  • Two-Part Design:
    A bulkhead fitting typically has a body (with a flange) that goes inside the tank wall and a locknut that tightens from the opposite side, compressing a gasket to create a seal.
  • Gasket Seal:
    The rubber gasket (or sometimes an O-ring) ensures the connection is watertight.
  • Material:
    PVC bulkhead fittings are made from durable, chemical-resistant Schedule 40 or Schedule 80 PVC, making them suitable for water, aquariums, ponds, hydroponics, and many industrial applications.
  • Threaded or Slip Ends:
    On the pipe-connection side, bulkhead fittings can have:
    • Slip (socket) ends for solvent welding/gluing PVC pipe.
    • Female or male threaded ends for threaded pipe or fittings.

Common Uses:

  • Aquariums & Fish Tanks: For running water in/out without leaks.
  • Rain Barrels & Water Storage Tanks: To install spigots, drains, or pipe connections.
  • Hydroponics & Irrigation: Reliable water flow between tanks or reservoirs.
  • Industrial & Chemical Applications: Safe transfer of liquids through tank walls.

Example:

Imagine you have a 55-gallon drum you want to convert into a rain barrel. By drilling a hole near the bottom and installing a PVC bulkhead fitting, you can attach a spigot or connect it to a garden irrigation line without worrying about leaks.

Here you can find some reliable and affordable sch-80 pvc water tank bulkhead union connectors from 247Garden, available from 1/2 inch to 2 inches.

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