Chipped Bulkhead Hole

Capt56 · 03/25/2008, 12:36 AM

Hey Everybody, I need your help or opinion with my dilemma. I somehow chipped the glass around the bulkhead hole. It's not a big chip, but there is a slight surface indentation. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do, so it doesn't leak when I put the bulk head on? Has anyone been through this? This bulkhead hole is on the bottom of the tank for a return, inside the sump. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

jtma508 · 03/25/2008, 06:26 AM

Depending upon how large it is (i.e., how far the chip extends beyond the bulkhead gasket) the gasket itself may seal it fine. You could put a large bead of silicone adhesive on the bulkhead gasket when you install it and that should fill any gap.

Savas · 03/25/2008, 07:40 AM

I would fill the area with silicone prior to adding the gasket. If you can find a gasket that covers more area (larger) you would spread the sealing area over a larger area which is better.

nsreefer · 03/25/2008, 09:09 AM

I was told by one of the mods on reefcentral not to use silicone on bulkhead gaskets as it will cause the gasket to not seal properly.

Tswifty · 03/25/2008, 10:18 AM

on a hole that was not chipped I would agree... but in your case I do not believe you have any alternatives other than trying to find a larger gasket.

Savas · 03/25/2008, 10:34 AM

If it was not chipped, I would not use silicone. The silicone is meant to fill in the chip.

03/25/2008, 12:36 AM	#1
Capt56 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Long Beach, Ca Posts: 522	Chipped Bulkhead Hole Hey Everybody, I need your help or opinion with my dilemma. I somehow chipped the glass around the bulkhead hole. It's not a big chip, but there is a slight surface indentation. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do, so it doesn't leak when I put the bulk head on? Has anyone been through this? This bulkhead hole is on the bottom of the tank for a return, inside the sump. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

03/25/2008, 07:40 AM	#3
Savas Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Maryland / St. Thomas once a month Posts: 764	I would fill the area with silicone prior to adding the gasket. If you can find a gasket that covers more area (larger) you would spread the sealing area over a larger area which is better. __________________ If you can get your wife hooked into reef keeping, you can spend all the money you want! Current Tank Info: 24 gallon Aquapod Nanotuners 4.32 T-5 lighting upgrade; 24 gallon Aquapod with stock power compacts and actinic lighting; 12 gallon Aquapod with stock power compacts and actinic lighting.

03/25/2008, 10:18 AM	#5
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	on a hole that was not chipped I would agree... but in your case I do not believe you have any alternatives other than trying to find a larger gasket. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

03/25/2008, 10:34 AM	#6
Savas Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Maryland / St. Thomas once a month Posts: 764	If it was not chipped, I would not use silicone. The silicone is meant to fill in the chip. __________________ If you can get your wife hooked into reef keeping, you can spend all the money you want! Current Tank Info: 24 gallon Aquapod Nanotuners 4.32 T-5 lighting upgrade; 24 gallon Aquapod with stock power compacts and actinic lighting; 12 gallon Aquapod with stock power compacts and actinic lighting.

03/25/2008, 06:26 AM	#2
jtma508 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MA Posts: 1,232	Depending upon how large it is (i.e., how far the chip extends beyond the bulkhead gasket) the gasket itself may seal it fine. You could put a large bead of silicone adhesive on the bulkhead gasket when you install it and that should fill any gap.

03/25/2008, 09:09 AM	#4
nsreefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Stratford, PEI Posts: 502	I was told by one of the mods on reefcentral not to use silicone on bulkhead gaskets as it will cause the gasket to not seal properly.