What size PVC pipe and threads for IBC tote bottom valve?

[Steve Federwisch]

I was told the bottom valve on my IBC totes were 2" pipe thread so I went to the store and got the PVC 2" pipe female connectors thinking they would screw right on. I cannot even get them started. Is this a standard size for IBC totes or do they differ by manufacturer? Anyone have any ideas or am I missing something? What is anyone using to connect to the bottom valve?

[Max Gfx]

Both of mine are 2" standard american pipe thread, non-tapered.

[Leo White Bear]

Steve-

  I have set up over 30 IBC aquaponic systems hooked in tandem and individually.  I found that these valves vary in size albeit slightly and have used a 2" steel endcap to cover the opening.  I drilled a hole in the center and welded a 3/4" nipple to it so I could hook up a standard 3/4" garden hose for draining the tote for cleaning.  It worked great.  I suggest that you do not leave the end cap on all the time because this thing will rust.  A better suggestion is to use a "Fernco connector" to a PVC pipe.  Do a google search on fernco connectors and you can find any size suitable for your need.  Warning they are a tad expensive and should be found at any reputable hardware store at a less expensive price

[Jim Fisk]

I use a 2" Fernco which fits great and onto the flared end of an 1 1/2" either a 90 deg or sweep "T". I get them at Lowes.

I only use mine as a fast drain for harvesting the trout. All other connections I use a 1 1/4" pipe thread female, an "O" ring and a 1 1/2" electrical male T for the SLO. Beyond that everything simply goes thru the top of the IBC. I don't cut the top off I just cut a lid and leave about five 1/2" "hinge" points along the back of the lid.

[Steve Federwisch]

Thanks guys, the fernco connector seems the way to go, I will give that a try.

[Jim Fisk]

All standard American pipe thread is tapered. That is the standard. European is not tapered and you have to use oakum or such to make a seal. On Swedish commercial washers they would come with non tapered fittings in "the old days" from the factory and were a pita to work with. That is why we use electrical on occasion as pvc conduit thread is not tapered. The grey stuff in the electrical isle.

Max Gfx said:

Both of mine are 2" standard american pipe thread, non-tapered.

[Max Gfx]

Both of mine barely have more than 1/4" of thread on them and I can never get anything to seal without leaking. If there's any taper at all, it has to be on the very last thread.

[Jim Fisk]

Fernco! You can clamp it past the threads as I recall. Been years since I installed 5 of them on my 5 FTs.

[Casey Haas]

I have a 2" slip x FIPT PVC adapter with a 2" slip x 3/4" FIPT reducer bushing glued into it. Into this is screwed a 3/4" MHT x 3/4" MIPS which I can connect a garden hose to in order to drain the tank. I haven't had leaking issues, but I have never used it for anything other than draining the tank.

[Vlad Jovanovic]

I thought it was what Americans called "2 inch coarse thread"? Also known as...

S60x6 thread

60mm buttress/coarse thread

DIN 6130 thread

Some Shultz brand IBC's use an S80 (3" bore) thread, while some of Shultz's IBC's use an S100 (4" bore) thread

IBC totes DO NOT use 2" pipe thread (not sure who would tell you that Steve)...

If you have the (very common) 2" coarse thread...and need to make fittings on a lathe (like I had to)...

the thread diameter is 60mm, the thread pitch is 4mm, the thread root is 54mm, and there are 4 threads per 25mm (or would be if the outlet pipe was an inch [25mm] long...since it's not that long there are 2-3 threads). 

[Jim Fisk]

So I am curious why you would want or need to go to such lengths to connect to the drain valve? I only use it as a drain and Fernco's work perfectly and take about 30 seconds to install. If you are using it as a FT an SLO is a far better method of draining into the system and does not use the IBC drain. The IBC drains are metric and have straight European threads, not NPT which makes finding compatible fittings in the States problematic. For those that don't know what a "Fernco" is here is an old pic of my 5 FT drains all connected to a 1 1/2" common drain:

[Steve Federwisch]

The guy who sold me the IBC told me it was 2" pipe. Thanks for the pictures Jim, what size Fernco are using in that picture and what size PVC pipe?

[Jim Fisk]

Hmmmh not sure what happened to that pic but now I can't see it. Anyhow from post above:

Jim Fisk said:

I use a 2" Fernco which fits great and onto the flared end of an 1 1/2" either a 90 deg or sweep "T". I get them at Lowes.

I only use mine as a fast drain for harvesting the trout. All other connections I use a 1 1/4" pipe thread female, an "O" ring and a 1 1/2" electrical male T for the SLO. Beyond that everything simply goes thru the top of the IBC. I don't cut the top off I just cut a lid and leave about five 1/2" "hinge" points along the back of the lid.