Bulkheads

jer77 · 08/12/2009, 12:58 PM

Since my overflow started leaking last night I have been battling to get a good grip on the nut of the bulkheads to tighten them. It is so hard cause I messed up when drilling the holes in the stand so I can barely even touch them.

What is the diameter of the nut or gasket on a 3/4'' and a 1.5'' schedule 80 bulkhead? I know the hole sizes are 1 5/8'' and 2 5/8'' respectively, but what about the nut?

Thx

der_wille_zur_macht · 08/12/2009, 01:01 PM

You'll have to measure, it'll vary from brand to brand.

Can you describe exactly how you have the bulkheads installed? Many leaking problems are not due to tightness, but more often subtle nuances in how they bulkhead is installed.

For instance, the gasket should always go on the flange side of the fitting, regardless of which side is wet or dry. And, overtightening - especially if the gasket was lubricated or had silicone on it - can cause the gasket to pinch out from under the nut, leading to leaks.

08/12/2009, 12:58 PM	#1
jer77 Phish Lover Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,642	Bulkheads Since my overflow started leaking last night I have been battling to get a good grip on the nut of the bulkheads to tighten them. It is so hard cause I messed up when drilling the holes in the stand so I can barely even touch them. What is the diameter of the nut or gasket on a 3/4'' and a 1.5'' schedule 80 bulkhead? I know the hole sizes are 1 5/8'' and 2 5/8'' respectively, but what about the nut? Thx __________________ - Jonny -, 120g 5 Year Old Reef w/ SPS, BTA, Zoos & some Softies. 40g Frag Tank. 40g Sump. Super Reef Octopus XP 3000 External Cone Skimmer. 250W Radiums. TaoTronics LED. PanWorld 200PS w/SQWD

08/12/2009, 01:01 PM	#2
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	You'll have to measure, it'll vary from brand to brand. Can you describe exactly how you have the bulkheads installed? Many leaking problems are not due to tightness, but more often subtle nuances in how they bulkhead is installed. For instance, the gasket should always go on the flange side of the fitting, regardless of which side is wet or dry. And, overtightening - especially if the gasket was lubricated or had silicone on it - can cause the gasket to pinch out from under the nut, leading to leaks. __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)