Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

So i went to bunnies to get the parts to make some bulk heads. When i got there i bought the following.



Problem is that the gaskets at bunnies are no where near the size i need it (4mm for the 25mm one and 6mm for the 50mm)

I went to clarks rubber and got a 6mm rubber and made my own. Now i saw the sign on the plastic said there was no harmful chemicals in it (guy at store said to just wash it with dish washing liquid to get rid of the rubbery smell).

Do you think it should be ok for the fish? Also where do people get the gaskets normally?

Zman I used these parts exactly on my IBC cut down GB's. the rubber gasket I made kept popping out for me so just used lots silicone - screwed it up and siliconed the outside also. 6 months with no leaks...

You should get a proper bulkhead fitting, that is risky.

earthbound, where can i get the bulkheads from? (i think i saw some online but they were like $40 a set or something)

There was nothing at bunnings or any hardware place i went to. Do you know where i can buy them?

You don't need thick gaskets, you need a proper bulkhead fitting, they have gaskets as part of the fitting and you can buy them from B in an assortment of sizes.. Ask for a Hansen bulkhead or tank fitting, do a search online for them.

bugger. Seemed like a good idea at the time...

Might be ok, but a bulkhead fitting is made for the job..

Say i get this.

http://www.wetearth.com.au/Product/Prod ... ductID=983

Does the soft tubing just slide in or is there an attachment that i need to get to connect to the bulkhead (something similar the normal hose ends)

I have no idea what soft tubing your talking about.

You have to go and stand in B, or a similar retic store and start putting the bits together, no sense in trying to work it out any other way. Physically put the bits together in store, then you know you get the right bits.

The soft tubing is the 25mm irrigation piping im using for the loop siphon.

Unfortunately they dont have it at bunnings so im not too sure if i need something extra or not. I will give a call to rupert when gets back as he should know

The parts you bought look expensive.

Have a look here.

http://www.wetearth.com.au/Threaded-Nyg ... d-Fittings

If you get that, you will also need 1 of these

http://www.wetearth.com.au/Poly-Nut-Tai ... le-Joiners

And some of these

http://www.wetearth.com.au/Pipe-Clamps

I have had some of those in use for 4 years with no leakage problem

Well testing my memory here, but I believe for 25mm I did use a rubber gasket in a similar arrangement except my bottom drain fitting was an elbow... Try the sink and toilet gasket section of bunnings... I recall that there was one gasket that would fit just nice... you have to push it down through the threads but it seals well when tighten.

And hosetails or nut & tails depending on your setup...

http://www.creativepumps.com.au/zpumps/plumbing/hose_tails/hose_tails.htm