Leaking Bulkhead

JoeMomma · 09/28/2007, 07:14 AM

Quick question

I have added a bulkhead to a plastic pond which I am using as my ref. The bulkhead is slowly leaking from, what appears to be, the treads connecting both ends of the bulkhead.

Is this because the plastic is not completely rigid and its not allowing the bulkhead to fit properly or do I need to add more teflon tape?

GlobaLPimP · 09/28/2007, 07:30 AM

Sorry, misread your question.

rustybucket145 · 09/28/2007, 07:33 AM

You do not need teflon tape on a bulkhead..... This could actually be what is causing the leak.

Also, if the bulkhead was ever overtightened a crack could have formed around the 'neck' of it. This would allow it to leak in the manner you are describing.

JoeMomma · 09/28/2007, 07:34 AM

I was told you need to put tape on all treaded parts to that water doesn't come out through them. and bulkheads have treads...

I sincerely hope I have not cracked the bulkhead. That was be pure disaster!

stingythingy45 · 09/28/2007, 07:39 AM

Yes,it's hard to tell what could be the problem.
Could be the rubber gasket that seals the bulkhead on the inside of the plastic pond is leaking.And it would appear that the threads are the culprit.Lots of hobbiest just silicone the crap out of it.

JoeMomma · 09/28/2007, 07:42 AM

I was thinking to silicon it as a last resort since I've heard that is a huge no-no. Only problem is that if the leak is from the treads connecting both ends of the bulkhead together its going to be hard to get in there...

tmz · 09/28/2007, 07:52 AM

I assume you have tried modrate tightening. I've had some sucess with minor leaks using Plumber's Goop.

an411 · 09/28/2007, 07:54 AM

I didnt use teflon tape on my bulkhead and it leaked and then put teflon tape on the threads and leaking stopped

jcpatella · 09/28/2007, 08:01 AM

Why wouldn't you put tape on the threads of a bulkhead?

asm481 · 09/28/2007, 08:12 AM

the threads to install a bulkhead should not have water near them in most applications, therefore no teflon tape. Those threads are not designed to hold back water, they are a "running" thread. The water seal on a bulkhead is created by the washer being compressed between the flange side of the bulkhead and the tank. Your leak is either a crack in the bulkhead or an imperfection on either side of the washer.

JoeMomma · 09/28/2007, 08:21 AM

I agree with asm481. The rubber gaskets on either side of the tank should be preventing water from leaking.

Luckily the 2 bulkheads from my DT drains are not leaking (possibly cracked). That would be an insane amount of work to replace as the piping going down to the sump has all been cemented together.

I'll take another look at it tonight to see if its cracked...

asm481 · 09/28/2007, 08:47 AM

Thanks Joe, this topic gets a lot of debate and name calling in here. simple fact is there are two types of threads, running and taper. running is just to create tension/tighten and taper is to seal. a Bulkhead would be no good with a taper thread on the outside as it goes on varying thickness of glass and the taper is designed to tighten at a specific number of turns. You can see where a watertight thread on the outside of a bulkhead could mean a very loose attachment to the glass.

Jescd · 09/28/2007, 09:00 AM

Would totally suck to have to drain the water and do all that work!

Keep us posted as to your progress - Good Luck!

stingythingy45 · 09/28/2007, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by asm481
Thanks Joe, this topic gets a lot of debate and name calling in here. simple fact is there are two types of threads, running and taper. running is just to create tension/tighten and taper is to seal. a Bulkhead would be no good with a taper thread on the outside as it goes on varying thickness of glass and the taper is designed to tighten at a specific number of turns. You can see where a watertight thread on the outside of a bulkhead could mean a very loose attachment to the glass.

Great job explaining it.
Anyways,the whole plastic pond thing has me wondering.
Is there a lot of rounded surfaces there?Maybe the rubber washer is not seating properly against the inside surface.

JokerGirl · 09/28/2007, 10:00 AM

I had a problem with one of my bulkheads leaking when I first installed it. It was because the one drill hole was in a weird spot, so it would push the gasket off center just a bit.

If it's a slow enough leak that you can deal with it, eventually salt will plug the leak and seal it off.

JoeMomma · 09/28/2007, 10:24 AM

How would a running thread on a bulkhead cause it to crack? Since the more you tighten is all you are doing is squishing the gaskets even more.

My pond is a 4x2 square and the hole I cut is not near any rounded edges. The leak is only dripping so if salt will cover it up than it is a good possible solution.

asm481 · 09/28/2007, 10:48 AM

The bulkhead is only plastic. Too much tightening can rip it apart. They usuall will crack in the flange allowing water past the washer and through the "running" threads. That is why most people think the threads are leaking and try to teflon them.

Also possible to have an imperfection in the washer or the flange from manufacture that will create a bump and allow water past.

JoeMomma · 09/28/2007, 10:32 PM

Update: I had 2 leaking bulkheads both were attached to the plastic ponds. 1 of those stopped leaking but 1 on my display tank has started.

I'm going to drain some water and try to add more tape to it. Not that it will make any difference but its worth a shot. If that fails I will have to try and replace it somehow...

09/28/2007, 07:14 AM	#1
JoeMomma Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 619	Leaking Bulkhead Quick question I have added a bulkhead to a plastic pond which I am using as my ref. The bulkhead is slowly leaking from, what appears to be, the treads connecting both ends of the bulkhead. Is this because the plastic is not completely rigid and its not allowing the bulkhead to fit properly or do I need to add more teflon tape?

09/28/2007, 07:30 AM	#2
GlobaLPimP Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Palm Harbor, Florida Posts: 911	Sorry, misread your question. __________________ This hobby is educational; it teaches you how to spend a lot of money in a hurry! Current Tank Info: 75gl, SPS, LPS, IceCap/T5/SLR, 2 modded Tunze 6045's, PCI 350 skimmer w/ Gen-X 2400, 95lbs LR, GEN-X 4100 return Last edited by GlobaLPimP; 09/28/2007 at 07:35 AM.

09/28/2007, 07:33 AM	#3
rustybucket145 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: valdosta, ga Posts: 3,707	You do not need teflon tape on a bulkhead..... This could actually be what is causing the leak. Also, if the bulkhead was ever overtightened a crack could have formed around the 'neck' of it. This would allow it to leak in the manner you are describing. __________________ 400gals of various tanks in the same system. Current Tank Info: 2 175w MH, 2 VH0 Actinics, Lots of Live Rock, tons of copepods, a Fat Mandarin Goby, Niger Trigger, Yellow Tang, Falco Hawkfish, Bi-Color Pseudo, numerous soft, SPS and LPS Corals

09/28/2007, 07:52 AM	#7
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	I assume you have tried modrate tightening. I've had some sucess with minor leaks using Plumber's Goop. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

09/28/2007, 08:01 AM	#9
jcpatella Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 814	Why wouldn't you put tape on the threads of a bulkhead? __________________ Dogs - Man's best friend; entropy's greatest catalyst. Current Tank Info: Biocube 8 on the way!

09/28/2007, 07:34 AM	#4
JoeMomma Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 619	I was told you need to put tape on all treaded parts to that water doesn't come out through them. and bulkheads have treads... I sincerely hope I have not cracked the bulkhead. That was be pure disaster!

09/28/2007, 07:39 AM	#5
stingythingy45 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA Posts: 3,296	Yes,it's hard to tell what could be the problem. Could be the rubber gasket that seals the bulkhead on the inside of the plastic pond is leaking.And it would appear that the threads are the culprit.Lots of hobbiest just silicone the crap out of it.

09/28/2007, 07:42 AM	#6
JoeMomma Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 619	I was thinking to silicon it as a last resort since I've heard that is a huge no-no. Only problem is that if the leak is from the treads connecting both ends of the bulkhead together its going to be hard to get in there...

09/28/2007, 07:54 AM	#8
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	I didnt use teflon tape on my bulkhead and it leaked and then put teflon tape on the threads and leaking stopped

09/28/2007, 08:12 AM	#10
asm481 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kenosha Wisconsin Posts: 593	the threads to install a bulkhead should not have water near them in most applications, therefore no teflon tape. Those threads are not designed to hold back water, they are a "running" thread. The water seal on a bulkhead is created by the washer being compressed between the flange side of the bulkhead and the tank. Your leak is either a crack in the bulkhead or an imperfection on either side of the washer.

09/28/2007, 08:21 AM	#11
JoeMomma Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 619	I agree with asm481. The rubber gaskets on either side of the tank should be preventing water from leaking. Luckily the 2 bulkheads from my DT drains are not leaking (possibly cracked). That would be an insane amount of work to replace as the piping going down to the sump has all been cemented together. I'll take another look at it tonight to see if its cracked...

09/28/2007, 08:47 AM	#12
asm481 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kenosha Wisconsin Posts: 593	Thanks Joe, this topic gets a lot of debate and name calling in here. simple fact is there are two types of threads, running and taper. running is just to create tension/tighten and taper is to seal. a Bulkhead would be no good with a taper thread on the outside as it goes on varying thickness of glass and the taper is designed to tighten at a specific number of turns. You can see where a watertight thread on the outside of a bulkhead could mean a very loose attachment to the glass.

09/28/2007, 09:00 AM	#13
Jescd Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 67	Would totally suck to have to drain the water and do all that work! Keep us posted as to your progress - Good Luck! __________________ He calls me a "goby" and I kinda like it :)

09/28/2007, 10:00 AM	#15
JokerGirl Whistler's Mother Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: That place Posts: 1,345	I had a problem with one of my bulkheads leaking when I first installed it. It was because the one drill hole was in a weird spot, so it would push the gasket off center just a bit. If it's a slow enough leak that you can deal with it, eventually salt will plug the leak and seal it off. __________________ 01000001 01101110 01111001 01101111 01101110 01100101 00111111 Current Tank Info: 120g Reef Tank, 60g Cube Mantis/Reef Tank, Want more info, ask me.

09/28/2007, 10:24 AM	#16
JoeMomma Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 619	How would a running thread on a bulkhead cause it to crack? Since the more you tighten is all you are doing is squishing the gaskets even more. My pond is a 4x2 square and the hole I cut is not near any rounded edges. The leak is only dripping so if salt will cover it up than it is a good possible solution.

09/28/2007, 10:48 AM	#17
asm481 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kenosha Wisconsin Posts: 593	The bulkhead is only plastic. Too much tightening can rip it apart. They usuall will crack in the flange allowing water past the washer and through the "running" threads. That is why most people think the threads are leaking and try to teflon them. Also possible to have an imperfection in the washer or the flange from manufacture that will create a bump and allow water past.

09/28/2007, 10:32 PM	#18
JoeMomma Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 619	Update: I had 2 leaking bulkheads both were attached to the plastic ponds. 1 of those stopped leaking but 1 on my display tank has started. I'm going to drain some water and try to add more tape to it. Not that it will make any difference but its worth a shot. If that fails I will have to try and replace it somehow...