bulkhead lifespan

petere1989 · 04/05/2014, 09:22 AM

i was just wondering how long a bulkhead is expected to last for? my overflow box is the syphon type (which i wish i had a drilled tank) but its got a bulkhead on the bottom obviously, then piped down to my sump. i was just curious when i should be checking it or just replace it all together? its about a year old at this point.

greech · 04/05/2014, 09:28 AM

Good question. Never really considered it which is a bit scary since it is a pretty critical part

.

The benefit you have with the HOB is that its a bit easier to disconnect, clean and inspect your overflow and BH. I would say a BH will last 2 years easily and most likely much longer. The only way to know for sure (besides a leak of course) is to take it off and inspect it for cracks, etc. The BH itself should be fine but the o-ring seal may need to be replaced from time to time.

petere1989 · 04/05/2014, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greech

Good question. Never really considered it which is a bit scary since it is a pretty critical part

.

The benefit you have with the HOB is that its a bit easier to disconnect, clean and inspect your overflow and BH. I would say a BH will last 2 years easily and most likely much longer. The only way to know for sure (besides a leak of course) is to take it off and inspect it for cracks, etc. The BH itself should be fine but the o-ring seal may need to be replaced from time to time.

right, the ring seal is really what I meant. the plastic should last a long time but the ring didn't seem all that sturdy and was just wondering about that. I've seen where people put overflow drains on the bottom of their tank for 300+ gallons, something i'd probably never do for fear it would leak and have to drain the entire tank to replace a $5.00 piece.

hogfanreefer · 04/05/2014, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petere1989

right, the ring seal is really what I meant. the plastic should last a long time but the ring didn't seem all that sturdy and was just wondering about that. I've seen where people put overflow drains on the bottom of their tank for 300+ gallons, something i'd probably never do for fear it would leak and have to drain the entire tank to replace a $5.00 piece.

You would only have to drain the over flow box, just a few gallons. The hard part is reaching the bottom of the overflow box.

petere1989 · 04/05/2014, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hogfanreefer

You would only have to drain the over flow box, just a few gallons. The hard part is reaching the bottom of the overflow box.

because of this, i have a quick disconnect below my piping on my overflow. so i can screw it off and lift the box out very easily. i meant for like return lines on the bottom of the tank would be hard to replace the seal.

hkgar · 04/05/2014, 12:41 PM

If the return line comes through the overflow box, you still only have to drain the overflow box.

billdogg · 04/05/2014, 02:23 PM

Two of the bulkheads on my 150DT are over 20 years old. The one on the 120 fuge for that system is at least 25. Never had a problem with them.

petere1989 · 04/05/2014, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

Two of the bulkheads on my 150DT are over 20 years old. The one on the 120 fuge for that system is at least 25. Never had a problem with them.

awesome. for some reason i had 2 years on my mind. not sure where the number came from but thats good if they don't need to be replaced. i won't be living where i am in two years so it shouldn't be a problem for me.

rfgonzo · 04/05/2014, 07:02 PM

When I broke down my 180 after 13 years, bulkheads were still in good shape besides for a little bit of crust on the edges of the ring.

Crooked Reef · 04/05/2014, 07:09 PM

Current tank is about nine years old with the bulkheads that came on it. I bought it used as well so I don't even know how old they actually are.

sk8ter20art · 04/05/2014, 07:18 PM

I would say check it when you have opportunities, when moving a tank, tearing it down. Most likely going to find leaks or failure if the bulkhead has received a significant bump or wiggle.

Secondsbest · 04/05/2014, 07:18 PM

Assembly or disassembly of the fitting could damage the gasket, but normal, static use isn't really an issue. Another potential problem would be a free hanging drain pipe. A constant downward pull of the water filled pipe can crack the bulkhead. I too have original gaskets on my 12yo tank.

dante411x · 04/05/2014, 11:42 PM

As long as you don't damage them, I don't see why they wouldn't last a lifetime. Without being constantly reassembled.

04/05/2014, 09:22 AM	#1
petere1989 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Peoria, Illinois Posts: 949	bulkhead lifespan i was just wondering how long a bulkhead is expected to last for? my overflow box is the syphon type (which i wish i had a drilled tank) but its got a bulkhead on the bottom obviously, then piped down to my sump. i was just curious when i should be checking it or just replace it all together? its about a year old at this point.

04/05/2014, 09:28 AM	#2
greech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 3,133	Good question. Never really considered it which is a bit scary since it is a pretty critical part . The benefit you have with the HOB is that its a bit easier to disconnect, clean and inspect your overflow and BH. I would say a BH will last 2 years easily and most likely much longer. The only way to know for sure (besides a leak of course) is to take it off and inspect it for cracks, etc. The BH itself should be fine but the o-ring seal may need to be replaced from time to time. __________________ ~Graham Current Tank Info: Tank: 40 breeder; 20H sump w/SWC 120; Sicce 3.0 return; Vortech MP-10; Sundial T5, DIY Actinic LED (3W Cree). Livestock: Pair of Black & Whites; Midas Blenny; Firefish; Yasha/pistol; Black Leopard Wrasse; LPS and SPS

04/05/2014, 12:41 PM	#6
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	If the return line comes through the overflow box, you still only have to drain the overflow box. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

04/05/2014, 02:23 PM	#7
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Two of the bulkheads on my 150DT are over 20 years old. The one on the 120 fuge for that system is at least 25. Never had a problem with them. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

04/05/2014, 07:09 PM	#10
Crooked Reef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 1,765	Current tank is about nine years old with the bulkheads that came on it. I bought it used as well so I don't even know how old they actually are. __________________ “In wine there is wisdom; in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria.” - Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef. Biocube 29 lionfish tank. Mantis tank.

04/05/2014, 07:02 PM	#9
rfgonzo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,280	When I broke down my 180 after 13 years, bulkheads were still in good shape besides for a little bit of crust on the edges of the ring.

04/05/2014, 07:18 PM	#11
sk8ter20art Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: middle georgia Posts: 220	I would say check it when you have opportunities, when moving a tank, tearing it down. Most likely going to find leaks or failure if the bulkhead has received a significant bump or wiggle. __________________ 90 gal wavefront reef tank, durso standpipe, 20g sump, protien skimmer, 4xt5 light. under construction: 75gal reef DT, 40 gal sump, bean animal overflow. livestock:2 ocelleris clowns, bi-color dotty

04/05/2014, 07:18 PM	#12
Secondsbest Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 110	Assembly or disassembly of the fitting could damage the gasket, but normal, static use isn't really an issue. Another potential problem would be a free hanging drain pipe. A constant downward pull of the water filled pipe can crack the bulkhead. I too have original gaskets on my 12yo tank.

04/05/2014, 11:42 PM	#13
dante411x Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 75	As long as you don't damage them, I don't see why they wouldn't last a lifetime. Without being constantly reassembled.