Bulkhead Fittings
Creating a secure, leak proof seal through pond liners and tank walls is essential for any successful water feature. Our professional grade PVC and Poly Bulkhead Fittings provide a reliable, heavy duty connection for your plumbing lines. Equipped with high quality EPDM gaskets, these tank fittings ensure a watertight pass through for returns, drains, and intake lines. Browse our selection of sizes to find the perfect match for your pond configuration.
Understanding Bulkhead Fittings for Ponds and Holding Tanks
Whether you are connecting plumbing to a pre-filter, building a custom skimmer box, or running a line through a rigid containment tank, bulkhead fittings are the industry standard solution. They compress tightly against the surface material to prevent water from escaping around the edges of your pipe penetration.
Key Features of Premium Tank Fittings
Heavy Duty Poly Construction: Designed to resist cracking and degradation from UV exposure, fluctuating water temperatures, and standard pond water treatments.
Reliable EPDM Gaskets: Each fitting includes a durable EPDM rubber washer that creates a tight, long lasting seal even against slightly curved or irregular surfaces.
Reverse Threading Layout: Most high quality bulkheads use left hand threads for the locking nut, ensuring that tightening your PVC pipe connections won't accidentally loosen the main bulkhead seal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size hole do I need to drill for my bulkhead fitting?
The hole size required is always larger than the designated pipe size of the bulkhead itself. For example, a standard 1 inch bulkhead fitting requires a hole diameter closer to 1-3/4 inches to accommodate the external threads of the fitting body. Always measure the outside diameter of the bulkhead threads or consult the specific product details before drilling into your tank or filter box.
Which side does the rubber gasket go on?
As a strict rule of thumb, the rubber EPDM gasket must always go on the flange side of the bulkhead fitting, which sits on the inside of the tank or water facing side of the liner. The locking nut should spin down directly against the dry, outside surface. Placing the gasket on the nut side can cause the rubber to bind, twist, and leak when you tighten it.
Can these bulkhead fittings be used on flexible pond liners?
Yes, poly bulkhead fittings work exceptionally well with flexible EPDM and PVC pond liners. When installing on a flexible liner, ensure the surface area around the hole is completely clean and free of folds. Tighten the nut firmly by hand, then give it an extra half turn with a bulkhead wrench or pliers to secure the sandwich seal without over-compressing the rubber.
