bulkhead question

Scuba_Steve · 03/13/2006, 06:37 PM

Ok, I have never had to install a bulkhead, and Ive never had a tank with a bottom drilled overflow. Do I install it threaded side inside the tank? Do you normally glue the pvc in? Anything else i need to know?
Thanx in advance,
Steve

jgoodrich71 · 03/13/2006, 06:59 PM

Most of the time the order will be flange-gasket-glass-nut(?). For some reason I'm not remembering the name of the other piece, just calling it a nut. Can't remember if that is correct terminology. (Must be some sort of early senility lol).

Depending on where the sump is located, I like to glue a pvc nipple into the bulkhead and use flexible tubing going into the sump.

Scuba_Steve · 03/13/2006, 07:21 PM

Ok, thanx. Where can I find tubing large enough to fit over a 1 1/2" pvc?

geo · 03/13/2006, 07:37 PM

Bulkheads will work either way as long as the gasket is always on the flange. The most typical installation is with the threads being dry and the flange wet.

aquaman67 · 03/13/2006, 07:39 PM

It really doesn't matter which way you put the bulkhead in, but the gasket has to be on the mushroom looking part whether it's in the water or not.

If the gasket is on the nut side, when you tighten it, it can bunch and leak.

I put the nut on the bottom.

I also used threaded bulkheads.

If you use slip, I would glue the bottom pieces. If the pieces leak inside the overflow, that's not as bad. If the bottom leaks, that's bad.

Scuba_Steve · 03/13/2006, 08:11 PM

Ok I think I decided to put the threads in the tank. The mushroom side is threaded so it would be a better outside connector. The threaded side is slip. I would like to to use all pvc plumbing under the tank so a few threaded sections will make things easier. Do most of you just use a lil teflon tape on your threaded joints without problems?

aquaman67 · 03/13/2006, 08:49 PM

Yes,

Teflon tape is fine.

So how's Ft. Gordon?

That's the hottest (humid) place I've ever been. August there is beyond miserable, worse than NTC at Ft. Irwin.

Sure at NTC it's 130, but it's a dry heat.

lvpd186 · 03/13/2006, 09:01 PM

When I installed mine I put some silicone on the threads as well as under the gasket. So far I havent had any leaks and no salt creep at all. (I cant take credit for this, I read about it on another forum, but it works great). Also I found it much easier to tighten the nut side of the bulk head from the under side of the tank, I cant imagen how hard it would be to get it tight from inside the skimmer box.

Scuba_Steve · 03/13/2006, 09:56 PM

Fort Gordon isnt too bad, though I havent been here in August yet. Its getting pretty warm already though for the time of year. Ive also experienced 130+ days, some up to 150 in Kuwait and Iraq. Anyways back to the bulkhead. I have hear not to use silicone because it can cause the gasket to dry rot quicker. Any other opinions on this? My overflow is pretty wide, so getting my hand down there isnt to bad. I just want it hand tight right?

lvpd186 · 03/13/2006, 10:01 PM

actually I think you want it just a little past hand tight. The silicone shouldnt hurt the gasket, but it will seal it better. Also I think if you use the teflon tape you will still get salt creep around the threads. This is just my experience.

jgoodrich71 · 03/14/2006, 03:36 PM

I usually go 1/4 turn past hand tight. Too tight will squeeze the gasket too much.There really should be no need to put teflon or silicone on the nut threads. It's the gasket that seals out the water. Those thread should not come in contact with the water. On the inner threads, yes, use the tape.

aquaman67 · 03/14/2006, 04:06 PM

I used a grip wrench to tighten mine. (As seen on TV)

It's a rubber strap you wrap around the nut and tighten it a little past hand tight. You can get them at Home Depot or Lowes.

I wouldn't use silicone becaue you shouldn't need too.

03/13/2006, 06:37 PM	#1
Scuba_Steve Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pooler, Ga Posts: 1,342	bulkhead question Ok, I have never had to install a bulkhead, and Ive never had a tank with a bottom drilled overflow. Do I install it threaded side inside the tank? Do you normally glue the pvc in? Anything else i need to know? Thanx in advance, Steve

03/13/2006, 07:37 PM	#4
geo RC Mod Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. George Island, FL Posts: 19,512	Bulkheads will work either way as long as the gasket is always on the flange. The most typical installation is with the threads being dry and the flange wet. __________________ I'm sorry I had a fight in the middle of your Black Panther party.

03/13/2006, 06:59 PM	#2
jgoodrich71 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 849	Most of the time the order will be flange-gasket-glass-nut(?). For some reason I'm not remembering the name of the other piece, just calling it a nut. Can't remember if that is correct terminology. (Must be some sort of early senility lol). Depending on where the sump is located, I like to glue a pvc nipple into the bulkhead and use flexible tubing going into the sump.

03/13/2006, 07:21 PM	#3
Scuba_Steve Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pooler, Ga Posts: 1,342	Ok, thanx. Where can I find tubing large enough to fit over a 1 1/2" pvc?

03/13/2006, 07:39 PM	#5
aquaman67 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 7,629	It really doesn't matter which way you put the bulkhead in, but the gasket has to be on the mushroom looking part whether it's in the water or not. If the gasket is on the nut side, when you tighten it, it can bunch and leak. I put the nut on the bottom. I also used threaded bulkheads. If you use slip, I would glue the bottom pieces. If the pieces leak inside the overflow, that's not as bad. If the bottom leaks, that's bad.

03/13/2006, 08:11 PM	#6
Scuba_Steve Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pooler, Ga Posts: 1,342	Ok I think I decided to put the threads in the tank. The mushroom side is threaded so it would be a better outside connector. The threaded side is slip. I would like to to use all pvc plumbing under the tank so a few threaded sections will make things easier. Do most of you just use a lil teflon tape on your threaded joints without problems?

03/13/2006, 08:49 PM	#7
aquaman67 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 7,629	Yes, Teflon tape is fine. So how's Ft. Gordon? That's the hottest (humid) place I've ever been. August there is beyond miserable, worse than NTC at Ft. Irwin. Sure at NTC it's 130, but it's a dry heat.

03/13/2006, 09:01 PM	#8
lvpd186 Reefing in NE Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Papillion, NE Posts: 1,485	When I installed mine I put some silicone on the threads as well as under the gasket. So far I havent had any leaks and no salt creep at all. (I cant take credit for this, I read about it on another forum, but it works great). Also I found it much easier to tighten the nut side of the bulk head from the under side of the tank, I cant imagen how hard it would be to get it tight from inside the skimmer box.

03/13/2006, 09:56 PM	#9
Scuba_Steve Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pooler, Ga Posts: 1,342	Fort Gordon isnt too bad, though I havent been here in August yet. Its getting pretty warm already though for the time of year. Ive also experienced 130+ days, some up to 150 in Kuwait and Iraq. Anyways back to the bulkhead. I have hear not to use silicone because it can cause the gasket to dry rot quicker. Any other opinions on this? My overflow is pretty wide, so getting my hand down there isnt to bad. I just want it hand tight right?

03/13/2006, 10:01 PM	#10
lvpd186 Reefing in NE Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Papillion, NE Posts: 1,485	actually I think you want it just a little past hand tight. The silicone shouldnt hurt the gasket, but it will seal it better. Also I think if you use the teflon tape you will still get salt creep around the threads. This is just my experience.

03/14/2006, 03:36 PM	#11
jgoodrich71 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 849	I usually go 1/4 turn past hand tight. Too tight will squeeze the gasket too much.There really should be no need to put teflon or silicone on the nut threads. It's the gasket that seals out the water. Those thread should not come in contact with the water. On the inner threads, yes, use the tape.

03/14/2006, 04:06 PM	#12
aquaman67 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 7,629	I used a grip wrench to tighten mine. (As seen on TV) It's a rubber strap you wrap around the nut and tighten it a little past hand tight. You can get them at Home Depot or Lowes. I wouldn't use silicone becaue you shouldn't need too.