Old bulkheads question

basssnake · 08/21/2008, 10:05 PM

I have a 180 gallon acrylic tank with a overflow. I am working on the return line and while working on fittings, the bulkhead turned on me. I checked the nut and it is still tight. Will this ruin the bulkead and cause the seal to leak? I really hope not, it would be so difficult to get into there to put a new bulkhead in.

The good thing is, my sump is a big rubbermaid stock tank and sits underneath this area(as long as if it dripped, it went straight in the sump and not down the bottom of the tank and onto my wood).

Please let me know what the turning of the bulkhead may have done.

basssnake · 08/21/2008, 10:06 PM

Forgot to say, I bought this used and i am in the process of setting it up.

basssnake · 08/22/2008, 07:16 AM

Anyone have any input??

basssnake · 08/22/2008, 09:03 AM

Please someone help.......i am working on this now and need to know. The gasket looks to be not bunched up or anything.

SeaWeed89 · 08/22/2008, 09:46 AM

well it really depends if it was a new gasket i would say you would be ok but its probably old and dryrotted so i would just get a new gasket for it. the auto part store sells "make a gasket" its a sheet of rubber gasket that you would cut a new one out of. or try a pool supply place and try to get a bulkhead gasket. goodluck

basssnake · 08/22/2008, 04:23 PM

It wasn't a new gasket, but it doesn't look damaged either. If it isn't bunched up or torn, would that possibly keep it from leaking(even though the bulkhead turned on me)?

areze · 08/22/2008, 04:42 PM

if it isnt leaking... it really doesnt matter.

did it turn tighter or looser?

Im mostly suprised that it would even turn.

but if the sump will catch any drips it really doesnt matter, poses no risk long as your sump can hold the water that is in the overflow.

basssnake · 08/22/2008, 04:54 PM

It is a 100 gallon plastic stock tank. It would hold it. Just looks bad. I did pour water in and it did leak. I got the nut loose, so i don't whether to replace the gasket and go on, or try to get the nut tighter? It took me some effort to get the nut loose( i couldn't get it by hand and i didn't have a wrench, so i was able to push the nut with a screwdriver and i got it loose).

What should i do? There is no place local to get a already made gasket. Would home depot sell a already made gasket for it?

08/21/2008, 10:05 PM	#1
basssnake Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 838	Old bulkheads question I have a 180 gallon acrylic tank with a overflow. I am working on the return line and while working on fittings, the bulkhead turned on me. I checked the nut and it is still tight. Will this ruin the bulkead and cause the seal to leak? I really hope not, it would be so difficult to get into there to put a new bulkhead in. The good thing is, my sump is a big rubbermaid stock tank and sits underneath this area(as long as if it dripped, it went straight in the sump and not down the bottom of the tank and onto my wood). Please let me know what the turning of the bulkhead may have done.

08/22/2008, 09:46 AM	#5
SeaWeed89 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pa. Posts: 275	well it really depends if it was a new gasket i would say you would be ok but its probably old and dryrotted so i would just get a new gasket for it. the auto part store sells "make a gasket" its a sheet of rubber gasket that you would cut a new one out of. or try a pool supply place and try to get a bulkhead gasket. goodluck __________________ Chris Current Tank Info: 20g Long, LED Lit

08/22/2008, 04:42 PM	#7
areze Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,048	if it isnt leaking... it really doesnt matter. did it turn tighter or looser? Im mostly suprised that it would even turn. but if the sump will catch any drips it really doesnt matter, poses no risk long as your sump can hold the water that is in the overflow. __________________ current tanks:240g of wallet draining capacity.

08/21/2008, 10:06 PM	#2
basssnake Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 838	Forgot to say, I bought this used and i am in the process of setting it up.

08/22/2008, 07:16 AM	#3
basssnake Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 838	Anyone have any input??

08/22/2008, 09:03 AM	#4
basssnake Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 838	Please someone help.......i am working on this now and need to know. The gasket looks to be not bunched up or anything.

08/22/2008, 04:23 PM	#6
basssnake Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 838	It wasn't a new gasket, but it doesn't look damaged either. If it isn't bunched up or torn, would that possibly keep it from leaking(even though the bulkhead turned on me)?

08/22/2008, 04:54 PM	#8
basssnake Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 838	It is a 100 gallon plastic stock tank. It would hold it. Just looks bad. I did pour water in and it did leak. I got the nut loose, so i don't whether to replace the gasket and go on, or try to get the nut tighter? It took me some effort to get the nut loose( i couldn't get it by hand and i didn't have a wrench, so i was able to push the nut with a screwdriver and i got it loose). What should i do? There is no place local to get a already made gasket. Would home depot sell a already made gasket for it?