Bulkhead still leaking and I'm about to scream

[glb]

I'm finishing my 40g build and these bulkheads are going to be the death of me. First there was a leak where the elbow screws into the overfliw bulkhead. I took the whole thing apart and reassembled it. That part isnt leaking anymore but now I have a leak at the outer gasket on the bottom that's worse than the first leak. So.....draining the test water again so I can redo it. But I don't know what to do differently. Help!!!

 

[dbl]

You've probably read this thread, but thought I'd point it out in case you havent stumbled on it.

http://reef2reef.com/threads/installing-bulkhead-tips.34973/

 

[143MPCo]

Any chance we can get you to post a picture of the actual bulkhead that's leaking also what type of bulkheads did you use are they scheduled 80 or scheduled 40, is it a ribbed O-ring?

 

[kschweer]

Also I notice you said the outside gasket. On a normal overflow installation there should only be 1 gasket which goes on the flange side of the bulkhead which would be inside the overflow box. 2 gaskets will cause an issue not allowing things to be tightened down correctly.

 

[glb]

You've probably read this thread, but thought I'd point it out in case you havent stumbled on it.

http://reef2reef.com/threads/installing-bulkhead-tips.34973/

Yes, I read the whole thing!

 

[glb]

Here it is. It's the glassholes 700 overflow kit. The black abs elbow joint screws into a black piece that goes through the glass. There is a rubber gasket under the round black piece that is up against the glass. On the inside of the tank, there's another rubber gasket between the inner glass and the overflow box. Inside the box there is a nut that screws into the bulkhead itself. I know this is backwards from a lot of bulkheads but that's how they build them. The overflow box is held in place by the nut that tightens around the bulkhead. I know I've followed the directions correctly. I have a few theories: when I installed the pvc supports to take stress off the bulkhead, they might have pulled slightly on the bulkhead. Or the elbow joint or nut aren't tight enough, even though I was only supposed to hand tighten them. I read in the sticky that teflon paste is bad, so I tried to wipe off what I had put on.

 

[glb]

Any chance we can get you to post a picture of the actual bulkhead that's leaking also what type of bulkheads did you use are they scheduled 80 or scheduled 40, is it a ribbed O-ring?

It's 1 1/2" schedule 40 bulkhead with threads on the inside for the elbow joint and on the outside for the nut. By o-ring do you mean the rubber gasket? If so, no it's not ribbed, it's smooth.

 

[143MPCo]

Ok I would move the o-ring inside (wet side) once that's done it should not leak anymore.

 

[787will]

Those bulkheads look to be the wrong way round, plus you should really only be using 1 gasket on the inside on the flange side.

 

[787will]

Can the box not be held in place with the bulkhead the other way round?

 

[hybridazn]

The glass holes overflow requires the bulkhead be installed like that. I had to put a bead of silicone around the bulkhead to keep it from leaking. It's been dry since I did that.

 

[glb]

Those bulkheads look to be the wrong way round, plus you should really only be using 1 gasket on the inside on the flange side.

I'll check the directions again to make sure.

 

[dbl]

I understand most say to hand tighten only, but ended up having to use a wrench and get another quarter turn or so to get one of mine to stop dripping. It finally sealed up. Even the slightest/smallest particular can keep it from sealing.

 

[Fin]

Gasket always goes on the water side. Looks like you have it outside in the picture.

 

[hybridazn]

The overflow kit uses 2 gaskets. One goes on the inside in between the glass and box and the other goes on the outside with the flange.

 

[dbl]

Gasket always goes on the water side. Looks like you have it outside in the picture.

Normally yes, but the glass holes instructions indicates otherwise.

 

[chefjpaul]

Gasket goes on the flange, not the nut side. Doesn't matter whether its wet or dry.

Did you tape the threads?

probably need to support the pipe as you said it maybe pulling the weight.

 

[Fin]

Normally yes, but the glass holes instructions indicates otherwise.

Sorry, I misspoke. I just went and looked at my Glass Holes overflow and it does have two.

 

[FL_Reefer]

I have had bulkheads have a small leak before (new ones) and after a couple of days of running they will stop. Maybe will take a couple of days to settle in and swell alittle. Just spitballing here.

 

[glb]

Gasket goes on the flange, not the nut side. Doesn't matter whether its wet or dry.

Did you tape the threads?

probably need to support the pipe as you said it maybe pulling the weight.

I did support the pipe. I know the gasket doesn't go inside the overflow next to the nut. I didn't tape the threads. I used the 'magic lube' which came with the kit.