Help with Leaky Bulkhead

EpicWin · Oct 24, 2015

Hey guys I need some advice from people in the know.

SO im not in any way new to the hobby and Ive dealt with plenty of bulkheads that are hard to get dialed in so that they don't leak. This one is somewhat unique. I set this tank up in May. the tank is acrylic and i think like 3/8 inches thick. The bulked initially leaked to I took it off and sanded the acrylic and used magic lube and it seemed to fix the issue. Then last week it started leaking and water is now basically dripping out where the bulkhead meets the acrylic. Is there anything Im missing? can I put a rubber gasget on both sides? should i wrap the threads with plumbers tape? I could just do a whole new bulkhead but I don't thin kit the bulk he'd thats the problem. IT was brand spankin new when i put it on.

ngvu1 · Oct 24, 2015

was the right bulkhead size used? the gasket has to be inside the tank and only 1 gasket is needed.

Diesel · Oct 24, 2015

You can add some silicon to the nut.
Remove the nut apply some silicon and tie it back up, let it sit for about 3 hours or more and fire it back up.
You also can add a friction washer, after you tie it up you can fire it up within minutes.

AZDesertRat · Oct 25, 2015

Have you read through my Bulkhead Installation Tips sticky post located at the top of this forum?

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/installing-bulkhead-tips.34973/

EpicWin · Oct 25, 2015

AZDesertRat said:
Have you read through my Bulkhead Installation Tips sticky post located at the top of this forum?

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/installing-bulkhead-tips.34973/

Checking it out now

. Ty!

redfishbluefish · Oct 25, 2015

The most important thing with bulkheads (and I'm sure AZDesertRat covers this), is that it doesn't matter what side the flange is one (could be inside or outside the tank....IT DOESN'T MATTER), the gasket always goes on the flange side. A gasket on the nut side is a waste of a gasket.

Also agree with right size bulkhead for the size of the hole. Also don't over tighten the nut.

EpicWin · Oct 26, 2015

redfishbluefish said:
The most important thing with bulkheads (and I'm sure AZDesertRat covers this), is that it doesn't matter what side the flange is one (could be inside or outside the tank....IT DOESN'T MATTER), the gasket always goes on the flange side. A gasket on the nut side is a waste of a gasket.

Also agree with right size bulkhead for the size of the hole. Also don't over tighten the nut.

This solved my issue!! Ty!!

AZDesertRat · Oct 26, 2015

I stress that over and over in the sticky posts.

EpicWin · Oct 27, 2015

AZDesertRat said:
I stress that over and over in the sticky posts.

It's just that it's counterintuitive that the rubber could be on the dry side of the tank.

redfishbluefish · Oct 27, 2015

However, it you scratch your head and think about it for a while you'll come to the conclusion that gasket on the flange side will give you the water seal regardless of how the bulkhead is installed.

If the flange is on the dry side of the tank, the water infiltrates the threads past the nut and meets the gasket snuggled sealed between the flange and the glass/plexi of the tank.

If the flange is on the wet side, the water immediately meets the gasket sealed up against the flange and glass/plexi.

With either arrangement, the water never has a chance to get out unless there is an issue with the gasket....overtightened, over lubbed, crunched up, too lose, etc.

So again, gasket ALWAYS on the flange side of a bulkhead.

AZDesertRat · Oct 27, 2015

The gasket is on the flange or stationary side, it does not matter if it is the wet or the dry side of the glass. 99% of the time it is on the inside but as we see more DIY type side or back mounted overflows in the hobby there are more being installed with the gasket on the outside and nut on the inside. Doesn't matter though as long as the gasket is on the flange the water cannot migrate through the threads and leak. The other thing I did not mention is preparation of the bulkhead, a few minutes spent smoothing out rough plastic castings goes a long way.

evolved · Oct 27, 2015

I made this one up a couple years ago trying to explain this to someone:

AZDesertRat · Oct 27, 2015

Very nice.

redfishbluefish · Oct 27, 2015

evolved said:
I made this one up a couple years ago trying to explain this to someone:

I like that picture.....I pinched a copy I liked it so much.

AZDesertRat · Oct 27, 2015

I need to steal it and put it in the Bulkhead sticky thread.

TaylorPilot · Oct 27, 2015

I've seen some people put a gasket against the thread side also when it starts leaking, thinking two is better than one. This doesn't do anything to keep the water in, and actually causes issues. The gasket rubbing against a nut increases friction and could keep you from being able to tighten it properly. I've installed probably 100 bulkheads and if you drill the proper sized hole starting on the flange side, install the nut on the flange side and have a dry/clean surface, they never leak.