leaking bulkhead

KafudaFish · 06/11/2006, 02:08 PM

I was testing my new tank and one of my bulkheads on the rear glass is leaking. There are 2 others and they are fine but the one for the CL drips once every few seconds. I took it apart and the gasket looks fine and I made sure there is nothing on the glass. I tightened it as much as I should without too much pressure to crack the glass but there is still a leak. Any suggestions? Thanks.

scottfarcuz · 06/11/2006, 03:12 PM

The gasket is on the side of the bulkhead with the flange correct?

Some people recommend silicone. I have never had to go that far.

KafudaFish · 06/11/2006, 05:38 PM

Yes the gasket is on the correct side. As I said the other 2 are fine it is just this one. I bought some silicone and will apply it tonight to see and do a water test tomorrow. I looked at the hole and there are a few chips around the hole but nothing that should be a problem. Could it be a bad gasket? I checked it and there is no wear or anything on it.

printedpaper · 06/11/2006, 09:14 PM

Did you use teflon tape on the threads? The rubber seal won't seal the threads.

KafudaFish · 06/11/2006, 09:21 PM

Ok I think I found out the problem. There are 2 places on the bulkhead threads that are missing threads and there is a smooth dip. The only thing is that these places are on the outside of the tank and should not be an issue with the leak.
Should I silicone or replace? Or can I go to HD and simply get a new gasket? That is if they have one available.

KafudaFish · 06/11/2006, 09:24 PM

Printed:
Yes I used teflon tape on the threads. However the male adapter did not go in very far as compared to the other ones. I wonder if this is the problem I will try a different one and see. It is amazing that something so simple can be so difficult. Thanks.

KafudaFish · 06/11/2006, 09:32 PM

Alright. Looked again at the male adapter and it should not matter if it leaks. It is inside the tank and the only place it would leak would be inside the bulkhead.
However I looked at the gasket closely and there is a gouge/nick. I squeezed it and water came out so I think it is a faulty gasket instead of theads etc. Yeah team.

06/11/2006, 02:08 PM	#1
KafudaFish Cyprinius carpio Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,496	leaking bulkhead I was testing my new tank and one of my bulkheads on the rear glass is leaking. There are 2 others and they are fine but the one for the CL drips once every few seconds. I took it apart and the gasket looks fine and I made sure there is nothing on the glass. I tightened it as much as I should without too much pressure to crack the glass but there is still a leak. Any suggestions? Thanks.

06/11/2006, 03:12 PM	#2
scottfarcuz Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,610	The gasket is on the side of the bulkhead with the flange correct? Some people recommend silicone. I have never had to go that far.

06/11/2006, 05:38 PM	#3
KafudaFish Cyprinius carpio Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,496	Yes the gasket is on the correct side. As I said the other 2 are fine it is just this one. I bought some silicone and will apply it tonight to see and do a water test tomorrow. I looked at the hole and there are a few chips around the hole but nothing that should be a problem. Could it be a bad gasket? I checked it and there is no wear or anything on it.

06/11/2006, 09:14 PM	#4
printedpaper Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Grand Rapids Mi Posts: 226	Did you use teflon tape on the threads? The rubber seal won't seal the threads.

06/11/2006, 09:21 PM	#5
KafudaFish Cyprinius carpio Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,496	Ok I think I found out the problem. There are 2 places on the bulkhead threads that are missing threads and there is a smooth dip. The only thing is that these places are on the outside of the tank and should not be an issue with the leak. Should I silicone or replace? Or can I go to HD and simply get a new gasket? That is if they have one available.

06/11/2006, 09:24 PM	#6
KafudaFish Cyprinius carpio Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,496	Printed: Yes I used teflon tape on the threads. However the male adapter did not go in very far as compared to the other ones. I wonder if this is the problem I will try a different one and see. It is amazing that something so simple can be so difficult. Thanks.

06/11/2006, 09:32 PM	#7
KafudaFish Cyprinius carpio Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,496	Alright. Looked again at the male adapter and it should not matter if it leaks. It is inside the tank and the only place it would leak would be inside the bulkhead. However I looked at the gasket closely and there is a gouge/nick. I squeezed it and water came out so I think it is a faulty gasket instead of theads etc. Yeah team.