Bulkhead Leak - Need Input PLEASE

[Penny]

I'm Freaking out a little bit and I really need some input Please. I have a 210 that is leaking at the bulkhead. Aside from putting a bucket under the leak (done), what in heaven's name do I do next??

 

[vetteguy53081]

I'm Freaking out a little bit and I really need some input Please. I have a 210 that is leaking at the bulkhead. Aside from putting a bucket under the leak (done), what in heaven's name do I do next??

The improper way to handle it is like I ended up doing- I put a generous bead of aquarium sealant (not silicone) around it. This is month 7 and No leaks.
Proper way - drain tank down and place new gasket or bulkhead in place

 

[spfahnestock]

The improper way to handle it is like I ended up doing- I put a generous bead of aquarium sealant (not silicone) around it. This is month 7 and No leaks.
Proper way - drain tank and place new gasket or bulkhead in place

Not sure you have to drain the tank. turning off the return and emptying the overflow should allow the bulkhead to be adjusted.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Not sure you have to drain the tank. turning off the return and emptying the overflow should allow the bulkhead to be adjusted.

No, just drain it down, and if replacing - clean the area well for good seal.

 

[DivingTheWorld]

Is this a new bulkhead or has it been set up for a while. Mine loosens a bit every year or so and leaks a little (salt creep). I just hand tighten and clean up the salt. That might be all it needs. Definitely don’t tighten with tools because they can easily crack.

 

[triggerBill]

What kind of tank is it and where exactly is it leaking?

 

[Penny]

The tank has been set up for about 4.5 years.

Truly, the thought of draining it makes me nauseous.

I didn't know you could tighten a bulkhead. I tried that and it tightened just a tiny bit, but it still leaking.

 

[Penny]

What kind of tank is it and where exactly is it leaking?

I'm not sure what brand it is and the leak looks like it is between the bulkhead and the glass.

 

[Spieg]

May be time to replace the seal.

 

[Crustaceon]

Draining it down just below bulkhead level isn’t that big of a deal. Just use as many plastic trash cans as needed and 1” or larger tube to siphon. That’ll take a few minutes. Replacing the bulkhead and maybe some of the tubing (if pvc hard lined) will take a little bit longer. Pro tip: put your heater in the display and keep the circulation pumps running. That’ll give you plenty of time to work with without your livestock even noticing what’s going on.

 

[ca1ore]

Where is the bulkhead? If it’s at the bottom of the overflow, you just have to drain down the overflow to reseat/replace it. If it’s at the bottom of the display area (not a good practice) then you’ll have to drain down the entire tank.

 

[John08007]

I'm not sure what brand it is and the leak looks like it is between the bulkhead and the glass.

But, is it in an overflow chamber? If so siphon it down, get shopvac to suck out rest, replace seal

 

[Penny]

Draining it down just below bulkhead level isn’t that big of a deal. Just use as many plastic trash cans as needed and 1” or larger tube to siphon. That’ll take a few minutes. Replacing the bulkhead and maybe some of the tubing (if pvc hard lined) will take a little bit longer. Pro tip: put your heater in the display and keep the circulation pumps running. That’ll give you plenty of time to work with without your livestock even noticing what’s going on.

Thank you for the pro tip! I may be using it in the very near future.

 

[Penny]

But, is it in an overflow chamber? If so siphon it down, get shopvac to suck out rest, replace seal

Yes, it is in an overflow chamber. One bit of good news.

 

[Penny]

Where is the bulkhead? If it’s at the bottom of the overflow, you just have to drain down the overflow to reseat/replace it. If it’s at the bottom of the display area (not a good practice) then you’ll have to drain down the entire tank.

Fortunately, it is at the bottom of the overflow. I'll have to get some professional help because my arms aren't long enough to reach the bottom of the overflow :-/

 

[Penny]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Have definitely had a lowering of the freak out level! I appreciate all of y'all's replies.

 

[triggerBill]

I have a marineland 125 with corner overflows hard piped with pvc to the sump. Same type of leak happened to me a few years ago. I called marineland to order a new bulkhead assembly and they sent me a whole new kit for free.

In the meantime I turned off my return pump, kept the water in the display moving with a couple of powerheads, and minimalized feedings until the parts arrived which was actually pretty fast. Cleaned and dried the area and replaced the bulkhead.

Kinda a pain, but once the panic was over it wasn't that big of a deal.

If it's not hard piped, you might be able to un hook everything clean and tighten if nothing is broken.

 

[Spieg]

You don't actually need to reach down to the bottom. Once you remove the hose and nut, you can lift out the pipe and reach your finger through the hole in bottom of tank to clean the mounting surface... drop in a new seal and reassemble everything in reverse order.