Bulkhead or Uniseal for Brute Cans?

[CoralCompulsion]

For those of you with Brute can water mixing stations/ato reservoirs, do you recommend using regular bulkheads or uniseals?

Benefits or drawbacks to either? Experiences or recommendations?

 

[Lil BamBam]

Tagging along!!

 

[DB9181]

Per our discussion yesterday, Following along as well

 

[CoralCompulsion]

Per our discussion yesterday, Following along as well

Haha. Yeah, that's what made me post and tap the collective knowledge of the forum to see some people's experiences

 

[riv]

Planning to do this also. So following along too!

 

[tkh]

Hoping someone chimes in with some good information here, cause I'm curious as well!

 

[CoralCompulsion]

Well, from what I have read, the uniseals are actually better for curved surfaces than the bulkheads. However, from most build threads I have seen of mixing stations and use of brutes, a lot of people used bulkheads. I actually used a bulkhead on a curved part of a stock tank before also, with no problems, however I just used a bulkhead because I had a spare one.

So, either way, I think I might just pick up the uniseals for now, they are super cheap anyway, and give them a try for this mixing station project. I will keep you all updated.

And still, if anyone has experiences with their brute setups, please let us know.

 

[fwadiver]

i use uniseals on the bottom of them where i put a drain

 

[Herbie]

I've seen uniseals for sale, but what the heck are they? Just bulkheads that you glue together instead of being threaded or you you actually run a pipe through thenm and then seal that?

 

[CoralCompulsion]

I've seen uniseals for sale, but what the heck are they? Just bulkheads that you glue together instead of being threaded or you you actually run a pipe through thenm and then seal that?

You just drill the hole, seat the uniseal in the hole, and run the pipe through it. There is a good pic on BRS showing it.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/uniseal-5.html

 

[Pufferpunk]

Hubby is a 40-year pipefitter & used bulkheads:

 

[fwadiver]

they snap in the hole and then when you insert the pipe it causes them to expand making the seal, they are kinda flexible/gummy, not rigid like a standard bulkhead

 

[jrpark22000]

I use bulkheads on brute cans. The can curve flattens out and seals without any problems. As the bulkheads are rigid and the cans are flexable, I felt safer going this route over uniseals.

 

[CoralCompulsion]

Just wanted to give an update on this. I got the uniseals, and the bulkheads just in case. After drilling the hole for the uniseals, and inserting them, I wasn't happy with them. Because of the thinness of the plastic can, it just seemed to flexible with the uniseal, and not something I would trust over time. So, I ended up drilling out the holes bigger, and installing the bulkheads. Seems much more reliable.

I think the uniseals may be ok in a more rigid material, like a decent thickness glass or acrylic, but IMO they are not ideal for brute cans.

 

[DB9181]

"I think the bulkheads may be ok in a more rigid material, like a decent thickness glass or acrylic, but IMO they are not ideal for brute cans."

you mean uniseals?

 

[CoralCompulsion]

"I think the bulkheads may be ok in a more rigid material, like a decent thickness glass or acrylic, but IMO they are not ideal for brute cans."

you mean uniseals?

Sorry, yes, I meant uniseals

 

[Skimmo]

I've had two uniseals leak when I used them for a saltwater mixing tub. I thought it may have been my own fault from my first time installing them. When I pulled them off they were stiff sort of like the saltwater residue was degrading the flexible membrane over time. I would 2nd the rigid bulkhead recommendation after my experience with them OR be sure to run a vinegar bath in these vats every few months.

 

[tmccoy]

I got the uniseals, and the bulkheads just in case.

Did you get the Uniseals locally in Chicago? If so, where? I'm having a hard time finding them locally.

Tom

 

[jayjerk]

Did you get the Uniseals locally in Chicago? If so, where? I'm having a hard time finding them locally.

Tom

Chicago roots hydroponics