Bulkhead small leak

[cpballer]

My bulkhead has a small leak. Whats the best solution? Buy a new bullhead and change it?

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Drain the tank to the bulkhead. Place gasket. Re tighten. Hths
D

 

[cpballer]

Repalce the gasket? Or use the same one?

 

[zalick]

My bulkhead has a small leak. Whats the best solution? Buy a new bullhead and change it?

Is your gasket on the outside of tank or inside?

 

[cpballer]

Inside the tank. Inside the overflow box.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Id just try and re use it. Is it damaged? Torn? Ripped? Show any damage?
D

 

[zalick]

So it goes gasket -> overflow box -> glass
In order of layers?

 

[cpballer]

I havn’t opened it up yet. I will buy a new bulkhead and use the new gasket if it needs to be replace.

 

[cpballer]

So it goes gasket -> overflow box -> glass
In order of layers?

Inside the tank theres an overflow box. 4”x8”. Inside the box is where its drilled to the back of the tank. The gasket is inside. Makes sense?

 

[zalick]

Inside the tank theres an overflow box. 4”x8”. Inside the box is where its drilled to the back of the tank. The gasket is inside. Makes sense?

I think i got it.

as long as the flange of the bulkhead is pressing the gasket directly on the glass, it’s good.

How old is it? Did you try cranking down the nut just a fraction more?

 

[cpballer]

Its 4 yrs old. I may just have to change the gasket and see.

 

[jwilliams860]

These ABS bulkheads have a seam that runs up the threads, these are very often over tightened and can crack there.

 

[ca1ore]

If the bulkhead has been fine for 4 years and only now developed a small leak, it may be as simple as just giving the nut a tighten (max 1/4 turn). Gaskets should last significantly longer than that. It is also possible that the bulkhead stem got banged and something cracked. If you are going to the trouble of replacing the gasket, I'd just replace the entire bulkhead. They're cheap. You could also buy a better quality one like the Sch80 RO bulkheads that coralvue sells. I only use these now.

 

[vetteguy53081]

1/8 turn increments. If no avail, although not a proper practice, more than once I’ve lowered the water level below the bulkhead, cleaned area well and applied a thin bead of aquarium sealant which stopped it all together.
when I broke tank down... I peeled the silicone off, then changed bulkhead