Leaking bulkhead after 8 months

raynist · 06/22/2006, 10:06 PM

Had a LFS drill holes in my tank when I bought it and they didn't do such a nice job. There is a decent amount of glass chipping on the inside. The bulkheads have been installed since Nov and one started leaking tonight (1 drop per 5-6 seconds). I can't tighten the bulkheads any more. Can I use silicone to seal the bulkheads on the inside?

Thanks
Ray Nist

Nathan4Wvu · 06/22/2006, 10:32 PM

Befor i installed mine i used a fair amount of silicone on the inside just incase. If you going to do that you need to drain the water down way below that part dry it very very very very very well water and silicone do not mix well then allow atleast 24 hours to dry

raynist · 06/22/2006, 10:41 PM

Yep, thats the plan. Good thing I saw the first drip start.

BeanAnimal · 06/24/2006, 09:40 AM

You can try thr silicone... but you really should not need it. How many bulkheads are leaking? What prompted the leak? The gasket should cover the chipped edge, is it chipped bad enough that the gasket does not cover the whole area?

If you overtighten a bulkhead it can distort the gasket and cause leaks. Silicone GREASE or even water can help ensure that the gasket lays flat as you tighten it.

Not to ask a dumb question... but the gasket is on the FLANGE side of the bulkhead and not the NUT side isn't it? It does not matter what side is the wet side.

raynist · 06/24/2006, 09:47 AM

Yep, the gasket is on the flange side on the inside. Not sure what prompted the leak. It was fine for 8 months. The chips on the glass are right to the edge of the gasket.

--Ray

BeanAnimal · 06/24/2006, 11:34 AM

wow... those are some pretty big chips. I guess using silicone will help fill the concave areas formed by the chips.

06/22/2006, 10:06 PM	#1
raynist Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,921	Leaking bulkhead after 8 months Had a LFS drill holes in my tank when I bought it and they didn't do such a nice job. There is a decent amount of glass chipping on the inside. The bulkheads have been installed since Nov and one started leaking tonight (1 drop per 5-6 seconds). I can't tighten the bulkheads any more. Can I use silicone to seal the bulkheads on the inside? Thanks Ray Nist

06/22/2006, 10:32 PM	#2
Nathan4Wvu Do you like Phil Collins? Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Home:Charleston, West Virginia Posts: 1,574	Befor i installed mine i used a fair amount of silicone on the inside just incase. If you going to do that you need to drain the water down way below that part dry it very very very very very well water and silicone do not mix well then allow atleast 24 hours to dry __________________ Let's Go Mountaineers! Current Tank Info: 120 gallon mixed reef

06/22/2006, 10:41 PM	#3
raynist Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,921	Yep, thats the plan. Good thing I saw the first drip start.

06/24/2006, 09:40 AM	#4
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	You can try thr silicone... but you really should not need it. How many bulkheads are leaking? What prompted the leak? The gasket should cover the chipped edge, is it chipped bad enough that the gasket does not cover the whole area? If you overtighten a bulkhead it can distort the gasket and cause leaks. Silicone GREASE or even water can help ensure that the gasket lays flat as you tighten it. Not to ask a dumb question... but the gasket is on the FLANGE side of the bulkhead and not the NUT side isn't it? It does not matter what side is the wet side.

06/24/2006, 09:47 AM	#5
raynist Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,921	Yep, the gasket is on the flange side on the inside. Not sure what prompted the leak. It was fine for 8 months. The chips on the glass are right to the edge of the gasket. --Ray

06/24/2006, 11:34 AM	#6
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	wow... those are some pretty big chips. I guess using silicone will help fill the concave areas formed by the chips.