BLEEDING BULKHEADS BATMAN!!!!!

[Glenner’sreef]

One simple question:

1. Who doesn’t silicone the handtightened bulkhead nut on the underside of their aquarium?

2. AND WHY NOT?

 

[blaxsun]

1. Well, me.
2. Because it’s got a silicone seal in it.
3. *(Bonus!)* Because the tank manual didn’t tell me to.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Ever since I ran into a friends leaking bulkhead that wasn’t cracked!!! Mind you, it was just hand tightened????? 2 years ago? I began to silicone the nut that presses against the glass every time!
A little silicone, then hand tighten, then with a bulkhead wrench just slightly tighten a bit more…1/8” or so more than your best attempt to hand tighten. You’ll never have a problem with it!

 

[Glenner’sreef]

1. Well, me.
2. Because it’s got a silicone seal in it.
3. *(Bonus!)* Because the tank manual didn’t tell me to.

Re: #2. “ Because it’s got a silicone seal in it”. Are you talking about the round gasket that goes on the inside of the tank or overflow?

 

[G Santana]

The bulkhead on my sump had a persistent small drip, a little silicone and done!!!

 

[Gtinnel]

Ever since I ran into a friends leaking bulkhead that wasn’t cracked!!! Mind you, it was just hand tightened????? 2 years ago? I began to silicone the nut that presses against the glass every time!
A little silicone, then hand tighten, then with a bulkhead wrench just slightly tighten a bit more…1/8” or so more than your best attempt to hand tighten. You’ll never have a problem with it!

Same here. I figured at worst the extra silicone wouldn't hurt and at best it could prevent a leak if the gasket didn't seal. I don't have a bulkhead wrench so I used slip joint pliers, but either way I tightened it a little past hand tight.

 

[DinoMagnet]

Me because it’s an aio so if it leaks it goes back into the chamber lol

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Not designed to be siliconed, if it is installed properly there is really no need.

 

[blaxsun]

Re: #2. “ Because it’s got a silicone seal in it”. Are you talking about the round gasket that goes on the inside of the tank or overflow?

Yeah, there’s a gasket inside the nut on my tank.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

The bulkhead on my sump had a persistent small drip, a little silicone and done!!!

The good thing about bulkheads under overflow chambers is that you can stop your aquariums return pump. Then drain or syphon the 2 or 3 gallons of water out of your overflow and remove the bulkhead nut under your tank. Make sure everything is dry. Silicone the flat side of the nut. And screw it back on. Now you can focus on Ich and Cyano.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Yeah, there’s a gasket inside the nut on my tank.

That gasket should be on the inside of your tank on the bulkhead. If that’s what you’re saying then that’s good.

 

[blaxsun]

That gasket should be on the inside of your tank on the bulkhead. If that’s what you’re saying then that’s good.

Yes, the nuts (3) in the overflow box all have gaskets. The return and two overflow pipes that connect to the overflow also have gaskets in the connectors. The bulkheads themselves are siliconed in the overflow.

Never had so much as a drop of water leak.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Me because it’s an aio so if it leaks it goes back into the chamber lol

AIO reefers definitely have some advantages. But for what? 80% of us who have drilled tanks, it’s going to start dripping at 2:00 a.m.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Not designed to be siliconed, if it is installed properly there is really no need.

Sooo a flat glass bottom of a tank and a flat side of a bulkhead nut is not screaming “design”. “Installed Properly” All we are told is hand tighten. With time some of these bulkhead nuts loosen and water is alway looking for a way out.

 

[workhz]

My bulkhead would never tighten down without slipping undone. The threads were so crappy. I ended up with plumbers tape on the threads but I’m sure it’ll still come loose. Figured I’d address it once I convert the durso to a herbie.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

My bulkhead would never tighten down without slipping undone. The threads were so crappy. I ended up with plumbers tape on the threads but I’m sure it’ll still come loose. Figured I’d address it once I convert the durso to a herbie.

Herbie is a great option!

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Yes, the nuts (3) in the overflow box all have gaskets. The return and two overflow pipes that connect to the overflow also have gaskets in the connectors. The bulkheads themselves are siliconed in the overflow.

Never had so much as a drop of water leak.

Nice! What cool about a little silicone besides “peace of mind” is that when the silicone is pressed between the nut and the glass it cures and seals but more importantly it’s paper thin. If you ever have to take your plumbing apart, you won’t have any problem breaking that thin silicone seal on your bulkhead.

 

[outhouse]

WHY NOT?

because I was smart enough to sand/file down the seem which causes all the leaks.

using anything on them is a shortcut and the wrong way to install the product.

 

[outhouse]

With time some of these bulkhead nuts loosen

Nope, the rubber gasket may harden and shrink, but if installed correctly, it is a non issue, and the nut never loosens.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Just so we’re on the same page, I’m not talking about the round rubber gasket that goes on the inside of the tank…..at all! I’m talking about the hard plastic nut that gets screwed up against the similarly hard glass bottom of the fish tank. And because we’re only instructed to hand tighten the nut. That’s everybody, guys, gals, young, old and so on. This “nut” is not always going to stay on tight and may start leaking. A little silicone will give it that holding power. Thats it.