Show me your bulkhead!!

Radicaljbr · 01/18/2006, 10:01 PM

Please let me see your bulkhead!!

These bulkheads supplied by Oceanic are always leaking. I can never get them tight enough. I am going to change everthing in my sump and use more rigid pipe. the only thing I cannot find is something to replace the bulkheads.

Please show me pics of yours so I can change mine.

Thanks

SeanT · 01/18/2006, 10:10 PM

Don't overtighten, you can crack them or the glass.
Get them good and tight, with the seals on the inside, then silicone.
Do all this dry.
Let it cure for 24 hours.

Sean

Radicaljbr · 01/18/2006, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SeanT
Don't overtighten, you can crack them or the glass.
Get them good and tight, with the seals on the inside, then silicone.
Do all this dry.
Let it cure for 24 hours.

Sean

Thanks Sean!

So do you have the same kind of heads or do you use a different kind? Any pics?

Where are you putting the silicone? Only on the underside? Not the inside of overflow right?

Radicaljbr · 01/18/2006, 10:30 PM

Sean, Do you only hand tighten yours...or are you using a tool?

As you can see from my pic it is like everyone elses. How do people get tools in between the wood and bulkhead to tighten?

I know you don't want to over tighen, but you have to be able to use a tool a little? Right?

I had a leak over the weekend and lost about 15 gallons on the floor before I noticed.

SeanT · 01/19/2006, 01:19 PM

I put the silicone on the outside so the silicone is between the glass and bulkhead.
Doing this will prevent leaks but makes it a pain to take off so be sure you are where you want everything before doing it.
I hand tighten it then use a pipe wrench to give it a few turns.
Then let the silicone cure for a full 24 hours.
That is important.

Sean

javajaws · 01/19/2006, 04:35 PM

I've never found the need for silicone to be necessary.

Do you have the gasket between the flange of the bulkheads and the glass (on the inside of the tank)?

I assume the leak is coming from around the nut on the bulkhead? Are you sure the bulkhead isn't already cracked (they can be hard to see)?

javajaws · 01/19/2006, 04:37 PM

Also...its possible that at some point you might have gotten some sand in between the gasket and the flange and/or glass that is preventing a good seal. I'd suggest taking it apart and cleaning if possible. And replace the gasket if it looks worn. Are the bulkheads in an overflow?

d4a2n0k · 01/19/2006, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by javajaws
Also...its possible that at some point you might have gotten some sand in between the gasket and the flange and/or glass that is preventing a good seal. I'd suggest taking it apart and cleaning if possible. And replace the gasket if it looks worn. Are the bulkheads in an overflow?

I was going to say the same. The glass around the bulkhead on the inside looks like theres a lot of detritus or sand buildup which needs to be flushed out.

Andrew · 01/19/2006, 04:58 PM

These work for me:

Radicaljbr · 01/19/2006, 04:59 PM

Yes, the heads are in an overflow and the tank is 30" high with a big canopy on top that I made for my MHs. Not fun to take off.

The head is not cracked but there is sand in there. It is not leaking now, but it does if I ever barely tough the drain pipe coming down from it. the reason is because I have never been able to get a good hold on the head to tighen it correctly. I good pipe wrench will not fit in there and I cannot get the teeth to grasp on.

I only need to tighten it just a little more to make it snug. I do know they make a plumbers wrench specifically for nut on faucets underneeth a kitchen sink. Think I will try and find one to fit my bulkhead. Have to go to a plumbing wholesaler for that.

Oh and yes the gasket is in the righ place between the glass and the bulkhead in my overflow.

Thanks

Radicaljbr · 01/19/2006, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by d4a2n0k
I was going to say the same. The glass around the bulkhead on the inside looks like theres a lot of detritus or sand buildup which needs to be flushed out.

I had gotten the sand away when I reinstalled it. Then the sand that is in there came back around.

I have it pretty snug now, but would like to get it a little more with some sort of tools.

Thanks

Radicaljbr · 01/19/2006, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrew
These work for me:

Thanks Andrew.

01/18/2006, 10:01 PM	#1
Radicaljbr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hudson, Ohio Posts: 1,293	Show me your bulkhead!! Please let me see your bulkhead!! These bulkheads supplied by Oceanic are always leaking. I can never get them tight enough. I am going to change everthing in my sump and use more rigid pipe. the only thing I cannot find is something to replace the bulkheads. Please show me pics of yours so I can change mine. Thanks

01/18/2006, 10:10 PM	#2
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	Don't overtighten, you can crack them or the glass. Get them good and tight, with the seals on the inside, then silicone. Do all this dry. Let it cure for 24 hours. Sean __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

01/19/2006, 01:19 PM	#5
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	I put the silicone on the outside so the silicone is between the glass and bulkhead. Doing this will prevent leaks but makes it a pain to take off so be sure you are where you want everything before doing it. I hand tighten it then use a pipe wrench to give it a few turns. Then let the silicone cure for a full 24 hours. That is important. Sean __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

01/19/2006, 04:35 PM	#6
javajaws Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 1,620	I've never found the need for silicone to be necessary. Do you have the gasket between the flange of the bulkheads and the glass (on the inside of the tank)? I assume the leak is coming from around the nut on the bulkhead? Are you sure the bulkhead isn't already cracked (they can be hard to see)? __________________ Everyone has an opinion. Accept the fact now that someone isn't going to like yours sooner or later. Current Tank Info: 110g in-wall, ATI 8x54w T5, 2xMP40es, SRO XP-2000i, 2-part Ca/Alk, Apex controlled

01/19/2006, 04:37 PM	#7
javajaws Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 1,620	Also...its possible that at some point you might have gotten some sand in between the gasket and the flange and/or glass that is preventing a good seal. I'd suggest taking it apart and cleaning if possible. And replace the gasket if it looks worn. Are the bulkheads in an overflow? __________________ Everyone has an opinion. Accept the fact now that someone isn't going to like yours sooner or later. Current Tank Info: 110g in-wall, ATI 8x54w T5, 2xMP40es, SRO XP-2000i, 2-part Ca/Alk, Apex controlled

01/18/2006, 10:30 PM	#4
Radicaljbr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hudson, Ohio Posts: 1,293	Sean, Do you only hand tighten yours...or are you using a tool? As you can see from my pic it is like everyone elses. How do people get tools in between the wood and bulkhead to tighten? I know you don't want to over tighen, but you have to be able to use a tool a little? Right? I had a leak over the weekend and lost about 15 gallons on the floor before I noticed.

01/19/2006, 04:58 PM	#9
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	These work for me:

01/19/2006, 04:59 PM	#10
Radicaljbr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Hudson, Ohio Posts: 1,293	Yes, the heads are in an overflow and the tank is 30" high with a big canopy on top that I made for my MHs. Not fun to take off. The head is not cracked but there is sand in there. It is not leaking now, but it does if I ever barely tough the drain pipe coming down from it. the reason is because I have never been able to get a good hold on the head to tighen it correctly. I good pipe wrench will not fit in there and I cannot get the teeth to grasp on. I only need to tighten it just a little more to make it snug. I do know they make a plumbers wrench specifically for nut on faucets underneeth a kitchen sink. Think I will try and find one to fit my bulkhead. Have to go to a plumbing wholesaler for that. Oh and yes the gasket is in the righ place between the glass and the bulkhead in my overflow. Thanks