how do i fix a leaking bulkhead

JJPicardo · 02/05/2006, 10:31 AM

oK, i have a quick question.

I just resetup my 125 reef ready aquarium. Here's the deal though. First, I plumbed everything with PVC, and checked my overflows for leaks. Everything looked great. No problems. Then I cemented everything and filled up the tank.

Problem is that I have a SMALL, SMALL leak in one of the return bulkheads. When I say small, I mean probably 1/2 of an ounce overnight. Does anybody have any suggestions as to how to fix this without having to cut all the PVC out and plumb everything again?

Thanks!

Jay

glaudds · 02/05/2006, 10:38 AM

Sometimes overtightening the bulkhead will cause it to leak...the gasket gets distorted when it's too tight.

rock455 · 02/05/2006, 10:46 AM

I've had bad experiences with the black bulk heads that come with most systems --

I purchased some schedule 80 ones from this site and have never had a problem since

http://www.plumbingsupply.com/bulkhead.html

I use a pipe wrench to tighten these and they never leak.

hambalid · 02/05/2006, 11:03 AM

Are any of the pipes creating stress on the bulkhead? Unsupported pipe weight or funny pipe angles can lift the bulkhead seal out of position.

Also, if we're talking about the overflow, it's probably not a good idea to loosen it as sand and other debris can find their way between the seal and the bulkhead. causing further aggravation It can be difficult to clean out if the tank is in a stand.

I agree with the Sched 80. bulkhead comment. The threads are typically much larger, and easier to screw down tightly. The only downside is that you need a larger hole for the same pipe size.

I get my bulheads at savko plastics on the internet, and if you need to make a bulkhead hole larger (which I've done), there's a tool called the Oops! hole saw arbor which is sold by Rockler. Click on my redhouse icon, and go to the 375 gallon tank/tank design section to see how I used it.

Best of luck!

jh2pizza · 02/05/2006, 11:08 AM

I realize this may seem obvious, but make sure the gasket is on the inside of the tank.

Highlander · 02/05/2006, 11:15 AM

Firstly, is it leaking from the external thread, or the internal connection?

xtm · 02/05/2006, 11:20 AM

Go under the stand and patch the seam where the bulkhead and glass meet. Since the water will force itself out of any epoxy you apply, use glue gun to cover the leak and let it dry quickly. Once it dries, the leak will temporarily stop and THEN you can apply your main epoxy which takes longer to dry.

I've been using this method for leaks and it always seem to fix it everytime

RyanH · 02/05/2006, 11:25 AM

IME, slow leaks will sometimes self-seal over time. I'm not sure if the salt creep clogs it up or it is some other mechanism, but you might want to watch it for a week or so. HTH

Craig Lambert · 02/05/2006, 12:01 PM

I agree with RyanH. A leak that small may take care of itself. You could also just place a bead of Aquarium silicon around the rim of the bulkhead.

jh2pizza · 02/05/2006, 01:12 PM

If it is leaking on the external threads, again, its the washer. make sure it is on the inside. If you can remove it, clean it and put a very thin film of silicone on both sides then tighten it back up. It will correct the problem. If you don't have any unions and cannot remove the plumbing, I would wait and see. I have had them slow down.

02/05/2006, 10:31 AM	#1
JJPicardo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43	how do i fix a leaking bulkhead oK, i have a quick question. I just resetup my 125 reef ready aquarium. Here's the deal though. First, I plumbed everything with PVC, and checked my overflows for leaks. Everything looked great. No problems. Then I cemented everything and filled up the tank. Problem is that I have a SMALL, SMALL leak in one of the return bulkheads. When I say small, I mean probably 1/2 of an ounce overnight. Does anybody have any suggestions as to how to fix this without having to cut all the PVC out and plumb everything again? Thanks! Jay

02/05/2006, 11:08 AM	#5
jh2pizza Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: zanesville, ohio Posts: 3,439	I realize this may seem obvious, but make sure the gasket is on the inside of the tank. __________________ Joe and Jeni Friends don't give Friends kenya trees! Current Tank Info: Oceanic 180 in wall, 100 sump, Geo Kalk Reactor, Tunze 9415 skimmer, Geo Media Reactors, Geo 624 CA Reactor

02/05/2006, 11:20 AM	#7
xtm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Panorama City, CA Posts: 4,703	Go under the stand and patch the seam where the bulkhead and glass meet. Since the water will force itself out of any epoxy you apply, use glue gun to cover the leak and let it dry quickly. Once it dries, the leak will temporarily stop and THEN you can apply your main epoxy which takes longer to dry. I've been using this method for leaks and it always seem to fix it everytime __________________ Function before fashion Current Tank Info: 120g SPS Tank (48x24x24)

02/05/2006, 12:01 PM	#9
Craig Lambert Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,897	I agree with RyanH. A leak that small may take care of itself. You could also just place a bead of Aquarium silicon around the rim of the bulkhead. __________________ "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will spend all day in a boat drinking beer." Current Tank Info: 75G Tank, 29G Sump, 100lbs LR, AquaC EV-180, Iwaki MD-20RT return Tunze nano streams 4X54 t-5/Icecap Ballast & SLR's 2x110 vho actinic

02/05/2006, 01:12 PM	#10
jh2pizza Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: zanesville, ohio Posts: 3,439	If it is leaking on the external threads, again, its the washer. make sure it is on the inside. If you can remove it, clean it and put a very thin film of silicone on both sides then tighten it back up. It will correct the problem. If you don't have any unions and cannot remove the plumbing, I would wait and see. I have had them slow down. __________________ Joe and Jeni Friends don't give Friends kenya trees! Current Tank Info: Oceanic 180 in wall, 100 sump, Geo Kalk Reactor, Tunze 9415 skimmer, Geo Media Reactors, Geo 624 CA Reactor

02/05/2006, 10:38 AM	#2
glaudds Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Glendale, So. Cal. Posts: 2,425	Sometimes overtightening the bulkhead will cause it to leak...the gasket gets distorted when it's too tight.

02/05/2006, 10:46 AM	#3
rock455 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Satellite Beach, FL Posts: 692	I've had bad experiences with the black bulk heads that come with most systems -- I purchased some schedule 80 ones from this site and have never had a problem since http://www.plumbingsupply.com/bulkhead.html I use a pipe wrench to tighten these and they never leak.

02/05/2006, 11:03 AM	#4
hambalid Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 68	Are any of the pipes creating stress on the bulkhead? Unsupported pipe weight or funny pipe angles can lift the bulkhead seal out of position. Also, if we're talking about the overflow, it's probably not a good idea to loosen it as sand and other debris can find their way between the seal and the bulkhead. causing further aggravation It can be difficult to clean out if the tank is in a stand. I agree with the Sched 80. bulkhead comment. The threads are typically much larger, and easier to screw down tightly. The only downside is that you need a larger hole for the same pipe size. I get my bulheads at savko plastics on the internet, and if you need to make a bulkhead hole larger (which I've done), there's a tool called the Oops! hole saw arbor which is sold by Rockler. Click on my redhouse icon, and go to the 375 gallon tank/tank design section to see how I used it. Best of luck!

02/05/2006, 11:15 AM	#6
Highlander outa salt 8-( Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 3,031	Firstly, is it leaking from the external thread, or the internal connection?

02/05/2006, 11:25 AM	#8
RyanH Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 690	IME, slow leaks will sometimes self-seal over time. I'm not sure if the salt creep clogs it up or it is some other mechanism, but you might want to watch it for a week or so. HTH