Leaking Bulkheads?

tony13 · 02/04/2006, 06:33 AM

I have the gray Rubbermaid vat (100g) that I will be using for my new sump. I thought I saw a post that said the bulkhead that come with them are no good and will leak after a while. Has anyone found this to be true? Can use the same hole and replace the bulkhead or do I need to drill a new hole?Thanks
Tony

szwab · 02/04/2006, 07:59 AM

yes you do not want to use the bulkhead provided. You will more than likely need to enlarge the hole but this all depend on what size bulkhead you need to use.

tony13 · 02/04/2006, 02:47 PM

I'll need it for an 11/2" bulkhead. It looks like that's the size already,am I right? What's the story with the one that comes with it?

szwab · 02/04/2006, 03:32 PM

it's square and rubber and eventually warps and get small leaks. basically a cheap bulkhead

I think you are good if you are putting a 1 1/2 inch one in place of it.

everybody I know that hasn't replaced it end up with a leak within months.

tony13 · 02/04/2006, 06:59 PM

Thanks. I figured cheap bulkhead but wanted to make sure.

szwab · 02/04/2006, 07:57 PM

i don't think they ever thought they'd be used the way we use them

shoman89 · 02/04/2006, 08:02 PM

I removed mine and used silicon to reseal all the surfaces of the bulkhead and seal. I have 100 gallon tanks and they have been going strong for 2.5 years without a leak.

--JeffP

tony13 · 02/04/2006, 08:44 PM

You would think being made for farm use they would be heavy duty, but I guess there just "duty".

szwab · 02/04/2006, 08:47 PM

that and little leaks and spills are not a big deal
i don't think that would really bother the cows

djwang · 02/25/2006, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shoman89
I removed mine and used silicon to reseal all the surfaces of the bulkhead and seal. I have 100 gallon tanks and they have been going strong for 2.5 years without a leak.

--JeffP

I assume that you reused the same bulkhead after resealing everything (I know seems intuitive, but I'm very dense when it comes to plumbing)?

David

shoman89 · 02/25/2006, 03:07 PM

Yes, I reused the original ones.

--JeffP

poppin_fresh · 02/25/2006, 03:08 PM

I used the originals too. I added silicone to both sides of the rubber gasket to make sure I had a good, permanent seal.

02/04/2006, 06:33 AM	#1
tony13 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 588	Leaking Bulkheads? I have the gray Rubbermaid vat (100g) that I will be using for my new sump. I thought I saw a post that said the bulkhead that come with them are no good and will leak after a while. Has anyone found this to be true? Can use the same hole and replace the bulkhead or do I need to drill a new hole?Thanks Tony

02/04/2006, 07:59 AM	#2
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	yes you do not want to use the bulkhead provided. You will more than likely need to enlarge the hole but this all depend on what size bulkhead you need to use. __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

02/04/2006, 03:32 PM	#4
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	it's square and rubber and eventually warps and get small leaks. basically a cheap bulkhead I think you are good if you are putting a 1 1/2 inch one in place of it. everybody I know that hasn't replaced it end up with a leak within months. __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

02/04/2006, 07:57 PM	#6
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	i don't think they ever thought they'd be used the way we use them __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

02/04/2006, 08:47 PM	#9
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	that and little leaks and spills are not a big deal i don't think that would really bother the cows __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

02/04/2006, 02:47 PM	#3
tony13 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 588	I'll need it for an 11/2" bulkhead. It looks like that's the size already,am I right? What's the story with the one that comes with it?

02/04/2006, 06:59 PM	#5
tony13 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 588	Thanks. I figured cheap bulkhead but wanted to make sure.

02/04/2006, 08:02 PM	#7
shoman89 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: West Chester, Ohio Posts: 157	I removed mine and used silicon to reseal all the surfaces of the bulkhead and seal. I have 100 gallon tanks and they have been going strong for 2.5 years without a leak. --JeffP

02/04/2006, 08:44 PM	#8
tony13 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 588	You would think being made for farm use they would be heavy duty, but I guess there just "duty".

02/25/2006, 03:07 PM	#11
shoman89 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: West Chester, Ohio Posts: 157	Yes, I reused the original ones. --JeffP

02/25/2006, 03:08 PM	#12
poppin_fresh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,982	I used the originals too. I added silicone to both sides of the rubber gasket to make sure I had a good, permanent seal. __________________ PBITAWA! Current Tank Info: None now. Past- 180g w/ 100g basement sump and 20g 'fuge. H & S skimmer, T'5s & Tunze