Old Bulkheads

RiddleEagle18 · 03/05/2012, 02:33 PM

I purchased a used tank.

Can the old bulkheads be used and how concerned should I be about this.

fishhead79 · 03/05/2012, 02:38 PM

I have never seen anyone do that to their bulkhead...

I would replace it before giving it a chance to fail. Bulkheads are relatively inexpensive and if installed correctly you should never have to do what's shown in your picture.
Good luck.

RiddleEagle18 · 03/05/2012, 02:40 PM

Ok so how do I get this stuff off??

uncleof6 · 03/05/2012, 03:16 PM

Sorry, but had to save that pic for future reference and entrance into the "Reef Hall of Shame"

Looks like plumbers putty, would dig what you can of it off, then cut the nut with a dremel and cutting wheel. Chances are, that was done--after the nut was tightened past the point it can be removed--which is probably why that had to be done, to stop it from leaking.

RiddleEagle18 · 03/05/2012, 03:26 PM

It is deserving for sure. I was hoping there would be some compound to get this stuff off. Im not even sure how Im gonna get to it. He put some of it inside the overflow.

Dustin1300 · 03/05/2012, 04:00 PM

That might be the most rigged bulkhead I've ever seen. Remove it and do what uncleof6 said. I'd think the putty does not have a strong hole on the glass and should remove easily because it has nothing to grab onto. Good luck!

Dustin1300 · 03/05/2012, 04:01 PM

That might be the most rigged bulkhead I've ever seen. Remove it and do what uncleof6 said. I'd think the putty does not have a strong hole on the glass and should remove easily because it has nothing to grab onto. Good luck!

opusthepenguin · 03/05/2012, 11:05 PM

Does a screw driver dig into it? It almost looks like its epoxy putty. I hope its plumbers putty. If you can't dig into it with a screw driver I'm guessing its epoxy.

Scizzle · 03/05/2012, 11:33 PM

It almost looks like jb water weld. Good luck with that Jerry rigged bulkhead haha. Buy a new one there like 10$.

RiddleEagle18 · 03/06/2012, 07:19 PM

Well after an hour or so of labor I was able to slowly chip this stuff away. I know why he did this but Im not sure it was necessary. There are 2 relatively small chips along the bottom hole and what looks like a very small chip on the top.

Bottom looking up

Top looking down. (Hole on right)

What do you think? A new bulkhead should hold over that. Does anyone have a good bulkhead manufacture that makes a wide base and o-ring.

bnumair · 03/06/2012, 08:43 PM

u can use silicone next time with new bulkheads if there is a leak. but my guess it that old bulkhead was tightened so far that it probably broke the rubber gaskit and leaked. just try a new bulkhead on and see. if not use silicone.

uncleof6 · 03/06/2012, 11:27 PM

No, silicone is not used to seal up bulkheads, and it should not be. As long as the gasket covers the chips and then some, the gasket will seal up fine as long as the entire thing is assembled dry, with no sealants or lubricants. Hand tight, with a quarter turn more.

If the hole is oversize for an ABS bulkhead, try a sch 80 bulkhead.

bnumair · 03/07/2012, 12:28 AM

and if gaskit doesnt cover the chips and still leaks then what?

rpjaws74 · 03/07/2012, 12:48 AM

I agree bulkhead should be sufficient to stop a leak if there is one...from the pictures you cant tell theres anything wrong anyway. But only one way to be sure ?

uncleof6 · 03/07/2012, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnumair

and if gaskit doesnt cover the chips and still leaks then what?

Time to make the hole bigger then. Not easy, but silicone is not going to hold a leak--and is improper for use to seal a bulkhead. Though if the chips were that big, I would have other concerns aside from a leaky bulkhead. Like the bottom panel failing.

PAZE · 03/07/2012, 05:46 PM

Those chips are not big at all, just make sure you buy the proper size bulkhead for the hole in the tank, make sure the rubber then paper gasket goes on last before the nut, and hand tight, and Ill bet it never leaks, there's no need for silicone.

uncleof6 · 03/07/2012, 06:02 PM

Paul, perhaps I am missing something, but never have seen a "paper" gasket with the bulkheads I have used. Also, the gasket always goes on the flange side, with no gasket under the nut.

bnumair · 03/07/2012, 06:11 PM

from the pics it looks like the chips are on the outside or drain side not in the over flow. so if he gets a good bulkhead and gasket seals properly then outside chips wont see water at all and yes like uncleof6 said gasket goes on the flange side not on the nut side.

RiddleEagle18 · 03/07/2012, 08:02 PM

thats right the largest chips are on the outside(nut side). The hole almost seems irregular, not quite circle.

Anyways I ordered new bulkheads and Ill let you know if it holds water after I install them. Probably wont be until next wednesday.

RiddleEagle18 · 03/07/2012, 08:02 PM

double post...

PAZE · 03/07/2012, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncleof6

Paul, perhaps I am missing something, but never have seen a "paper" gasket with the bulkheads I have used. Also, the gasket always goes on the flange side, with no gasket under the nut.

From the bulkheads that I use, I run bulkhead rubber gasket, slide through hole, rubber gasket again, paper/cardboard gasket then the nut. I have always done it this way. I understand many will say the out side gasket does nothing, but for me it compresses and almost acts like a lock washer, if that makes any sense. For me it works perfect, and have never had a bulkhead leak ever.

uncleof6 · 03/07/2012, 11:11 PM

As long as there is one on the flange side, it would probably never leak either, (installed correctly) but heck if it works, it is not hurting anything.

03/05/2012, 02:33 PM	#1
RiddleEagle18 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Palmetto, FL Posts: 689	Old Bulkheads I purchased a used tank. Can the old bulkheads be used and how concerned should I be about this.

03/05/2012, 03:16 PM	#4
uncleof6 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: AWOL Posts: 12,013	Sorry, but had to save that pic for future reference and entrance into the "Reef Hall of Shame" Looks like plumbers putty, would dig what you can of it off, then cut the nut with a dremel and cutting wheel. Chances are, that was done--after the nut was tightened past the point it can be removed--which is probably why that had to be done, to stop it from leaking. __________________ "Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." (oft attributed to Einstein; most likely paraphrasing by Roger Sessions; compactly articulates the principle of Occam's Razor) Current Tank Info: 325 6' wide Reef

03/05/2012, 04:00 PM	#6
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	That might be the most rigged bulkhead I've ever seen. Remove it and do what uncleof6 said. I'd think the putty does not have a strong hole on the glass and should remove easily because it has nothing to grab onto. Good luck! __________________ INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT

03/05/2012, 04:01 PM	#7
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	That might be the most rigged bulkhead I've ever seen. Remove it and do what uncleof6 said. I'd think the putty does not have a strong hole on the glass and should remove easily because it has nothing to grab onto. Good luck! __________________ INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT

03/05/2012, 11:33 PM	#9
Scizzle Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 180	It almost looks like jb water weld. Good luck with that Jerry rigged bulkhead haha. Buy a new one there like 10$. __________________ Various Zoas \| 1 Acan \| meteor shower safastria \| 7 ricordia \| big frogspawn \| 2 non branching and 5 branching Duncan's \| GSP \| pulsing xenia \| mushrooms \| palythoas \| hammer coral \| torch coral \| pipe organ \| orange fungia \| pagoda cup \| two ocellaris clowns \| foxface \| 2 blennies \| 2 bangais \| YWG Current Tank Info: 110 gallon oceanic dual overflow 60" tank \| 33 gallon sump \| 2 Ecotech Radion LED's \| reef octopus skimmer \| reeflo snapper 2500gph return pump \| 2 next reef reactors denitrate and roa \| 2 koralia 1440's for flow \| eheim heater Last edited by Scizzle; 03/05/2012 at 11:34 PM. Reason: Typo

03/05/2012, 02:38 PM	#2
fishhead79 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: glens falls ny Posts: 61	I have never seen anyone do that to their bulkhead... I would replace it before giving it a chance to fail. Bulkheads are relatively inexpensive and if installed correctly you should never have to do what's shown in your picture. Good luck.

03/05/2012, 02:40 PM	#3
RiddleEagle18 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Palmetto, FL Posts: 689	Ok so how do I get this stuff off??

03/05/2012, 03:26 PM	#5
RiddleEagle18 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Palmetto, FL Posts: 689	It is deserving for sure. I was hoping there would be some compound to get this stuff off. Im not even sure how Im gonna get to it. He put some of it inside the overflow.

03/05/2012, 11:05 PM	#8
opusthepenguin Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 117	Does a screw driver dig into it? It almost looks like its epoxy putty. I hope its plumbers putty. If you can't dig into it with a screw driver I'm guessing its epoxy.

03/06/2012, 07:19 PM	#10
RiddleEagle18 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Palmetto, FL Posts: 689	Well after an hour or so of labor I was able to slowly chip this stuff away. I know why he did this but Im not sure it was necessary. There are 2 relatively small chips along the bottom hole and what looks like a very small chip on the top. Bottom looking up Top looking down. (Hole on right) What do you think? A new bulkhead should hold over that. Does anyone have a good bulkhead manufacture that makes a wide base and o-ring.

03/06/2012, 08:43 PM	#11
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	u can use silicone next time with new bulkheads if there is a leak. but my guess it that old bulkhead was tightened so far that it probably broke the rubber gaskit and leaked. just try a new bulkhead on and see. if not use silicone. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

03/06/2012, 11:27 PM	#12
uncleof6 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: AWOL Posts: 12,013	No, silicone is not used to seal up bulkheads, and it should not be. As long as the gasket covers the chips and then some, the gasket will seal up fine as long as the entire thing is assembled dry, with no sealants or lubricants. Hand tight, with a quarter turn more. If the hole is oversize for an ABS bulkhead, try a sch 80 bulkhead. __________________ "Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." (oft attributed to Einstein; most likely paraphrasing by Roger Sessions; compactly articulates the principle of Occam's Razor) Current Tank Info: 325 6' wide Reef

03/07/2012, 12:28 AM	#13
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	and if gaskit doesnt cover the chips and still leaks then what? __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

03/07/2012, 12:48 AM	#14
rpjaws74 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 1,340	I agree bulkhead should be sufficient to stop a leak if there is one...from the pictures you cant tell theres anything wrong anyway. But only one way to be sure ? __________________ rpjaws Current Tank Info: 500 glln system/ Reef

03/07/2012, 05:46 PM	#16
PAZE Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 224	Those chips are not big at all, just make sure you buy the proper size bulkhead for the hole in the tank, make sure the rubber then paper gasket goes on last before the nut, and hand tight, and Ill bet it never leaks, there's no need for silicone. __________________ Paul

03/07/2012, 06:02 PM	#17
uncleof6 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: AWOL Posts: 12,013	Paul, perhaps I am missing something, but never have seen a "paper" gasket with the bulkheads I have used. Also, the gasket always goes on the flange side, with no gasket under the nut. __________________ "Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." (oft attributed to Einstein; most likely paraphrasing by Roger Sessions; compactly articulates the principle of Occam's Razor) Current Tank Info: 325 6' wide Reef

03/07/2012, 06:11 PM	#18
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	from the pics it looks like the chips are on the outside or drain side not in the over flow. so if he gets a good bulkhead and gasket seals properly then outside chips wont see water at all and yes like uncleof6 said gasket goes on the flange side not on the nut side. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

03/07/2012, 08:02 PM	#19
RiddleEagle18 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Palmetto, FL Posts: 689	thats right the largest chips are on the outside(nut side). The hole almost seems irregular, not quite circle. Anyways I ordered new bulkheads and Ill let you know if it holds water after I install them. Probably wont be until next wednesday.

03/07/2012, 08:02 PM	#20
RiddleEagle18 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Palmetto, FL Posts: 689	double post... Last edited by RiddleEagle18; 03/07/2012 at 08:02 PM. Reason: double post

03/07/2012, 11:11 PM	#22
uncleof6 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: AWOL Posts: 12,013	As long as there is one on the flange side, it would probably never leak either, (installed correctly) but heck if it works, it is not hurting anything. __________________ "Things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." (oft attributed to Einstein; most likely paraphrasing by Roger Sessions; compactly articulates the principle of Occam's Razor) Current Tank Info: 325 6' wide Reef