The Lifegard Bulkhead Fitting is a watertight thread-by-thread (FPT x FPT) fitting for running plumbing through a drilled aquarium, sump, or reservoir. Female pipe threads on both sides accept threaded pipe, valves, and adapters inside and out, making it the go-to connector for overflow drains, return lines, closed loops, and DIY builds. It is molded from heavy-wall, high-impact black PVC for a rigid, corrosion-free seal in fresh water and salt water alike. Prefer a glued connection? See the Thread x Slip bulkhead, or skip drilling a threaded hole entirely with a Uniseal pipe-to-tank seal.Choose Your SizeEvery bulkhead needs a specific hole drilled in the glass or acrylic. Match your fitting to the required hole diameter below. Size (FPT) Hole to Drill Best For Approx. Drain Flow 1/2 in 1-1/8 in (1.13") Nano tanks, dosing and manifold lines up to ~300 GPH 3/4 in Most popular 1-3/8 in (1.36") Nano and all-in-one returns, small overflow drains up to ~600 GPH 1 in 1-3/4 in (1.75") Standard reef and sump drains and returns up to ~1,000 GPH 1.5 in 2-3/8 in (2.38") Large-tank main drains up to ~1,700 GPH 2 in 3 in (3.00") Very large systems and ponds up to ~3,000 GPH Drain flow is approximate and depends on your overflow design and plumbing run.Features Heavy-wall, high-impact PVC molded in jet black Female pipe threads (FPT) on both the flanged and threaded sides Includes a rubber sealing gasket and lock nut Reef, saltwater, and freshwater safe, with no metal to corrode Threads into standard Schedule 40 PVC pipe and fittings Which Size Do I Need?For most aquariums the 3/4 inch bulkhead is the practical all-rounder. It is the size used on the majority of all-in-one returns and small to medium overflow boxes. Step up to 1 inch for a typical reef sump drain, and to 1.5 or 2 inch for large tanks and ponds that move a lot of water. Drop to 1/2 inch for nano tanks, manifolds, and dosing lines. When in doubt, match the bulkhead to the thread size of the plumbing you are connecting.Specifications Brand Lifegard Aquatics Type Bulkhead fitting, threaded x threaded (FPT x FPT) Material High-impact PVC, jet black Includes Fitting, gasket, and lock nut Available sizes 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1.5, and 2 inch Water type Freshwater and saltwater Installation Tips Drill the exact hole diameter listed above for your size (a diamond hole saw for glass, a standard hole saw for acrylic) Seat the gasket on the flange side, inside the tank, flat against the glass Hand-tighten the lock nut, then snug just past hand-tight. Do not overtighten or you can crack the flange Wrap the male threads of any pipe you screw in with PTFE (plumber’s) tape for a leak-free seal No silicone needed. The gasket makes the seal Recommended Pairings Intake Suction Screen to keep livestock and debris out of an intake bulkhead Loc-Line modular fittings for aiming your return flow JBJ Vinyl Tubing for flexible plumbing runs Uniseal Pipe-to-Tank Seal as a no-thread alternative for round pipe Thread x Slip Bulkhead when you want to solvent-weld PVC on one side FAQWhat does FPT mean? FPT is female pipe thread. Both ends of this bulkhead are internally threaded, so you screw threaded pipe or fittings into each side.What size hole do I drill? See the size chart above. Each size needs a specific hole diameter, for example the 3/4 inch bulkhead needs a 1-3/8 inch hole.Is it reef and saltwater safe? Yes. It is all PVC with no metal, safe for reef, saltwater, and freshwater systems.Thread x thread or thread x slip? Choose thread x thread (this fitting) to screw pipe into both ends. Choose thread x slip to solvent-weld glue PVC on the slip side.
