Bulkhead leak
- Thread starter David M.
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Ligershark
Well-Known Member
Is there any sand or debris in the overflow that may not be allowing the gasket to get a clean seal? Id remove the bulkhead, rinse the inside of the overflow with a bucket under the hole, wipe clean, dampen again, then reinstall and tighten the nut with a bulkhead wrench, just my two cents. Also if you had spare bulk heads or parts laying around and this was in an old box make sure it is the correct gasket and nut for that bulkhead.
Jlobes
5000 Club Member
and its leaking from the threads?
my only suggestion/guess would be to actually clean out the overflow box. Looks like quite a bit of detritus, from the photo, and that could easily be preventing the gasket from sealing, causing a small leak.
my only suggestion/guess would be to actually clean out the overflow box. Looks like quite a bit of detritus, from the photo, and that could easily be preventing the gasket from sealing, causing a small leak.
Jlobes
5000 Club Member
THIS
It is dirty, but not where it seals. Before I installed it I went under with a rag and made the area spotless. There MIGHT be a tiny bit of residue, I'll have to check again. I'm really afraid to use a bulkhead wrench to be honest. I don't wanna over do it and crack the tank.
Ligershark
Well-Known Member
Was it a brand new bulkhead? If it wasn't its possible the gasket is dried out and not working as efficiently as it should. I've always used bulkhead wrenches, I still use the one that was supplied from all-glass with my megaflow kit from 2005.
May not be tight enough. I would clean it again, install it hand tight then give it 1/4 to 1/2 turn with a basin wrench or pair of channelocks from below. Another thing is it looks like the bulkhead and gasket may be stressed, it appears it does not quite line up with the overflow box so is kind of being forced into position which puts unequal stress and compression on the gasketed surface. If that is the case I would make the return pipe taller so the 90 degree elbow and LocLine exits over the top of the weir with no deflection or stress.
Ended up giving it another 1/4 turn and it's still leaking... But it's NOT from the threads. The threads are bone dry now and it's dripping from the inside like I originally thought. I'm thinking there's a small breach where the pvc meets the bulkhead, or a tiny crack in the pvc.
This last install was perfect, zero debris (took a razorblade to it). The seal is perfect. Gotta be the pvc somewhere...
This last install was perfect, zero debris (took a razorblade to it). The seal is perfect. Gotta be the pvc somewhere...
If the leak is inside its no big deal since it will be contained inside the return tubing from the pump back to the display.
If the bulkhead is thread x thread unscrew the pipe or male adapter fitting and install new parts lubricated with LaCo PVC thread lubricant. If it is thread x slip and the PVC is not glued in again take it apart, clean the inside of the bulkhead and install a new piece of PVC. The pressure really isn't much of an issue since it is only equivalent head to the height of the display tank or maybe 3/4 of 1 psi. 1 psi =2.31 feet or 0.433 psi per foot of height.
It's thread x slip and the pvc is glued unfortunately. I'll have to run it for a while to make sure nothing catastrophic will happen, but otherwise I'm not too concerned about it anymore. Thank you for your help man, I really appreciate it.
