Is hand tightening a bulkhead enough?

[shoelaceike]

I can't get my channel locks onto the nut..I did it as tight as I can with my hand, should that be enough?

 

[WVNed]

It wouldn't be for me. Do you have a gorilla grip?

 

[piranhaman00]

I had to turn my bulkheads almost an entire turn with a wrench before it stopped leaking so I would say no. I read hand tight everywhere but I think that is inaccurate.

Edit: Or maybe I am weak .

 

[Brett S]

Hand tightening is usually good for bulkheads. In fact, if you use tools to tighten them you risk over-tightening which can cause leaks or crack the bulkhead. As long as it’s not leaking after your hand tightening you are good.

 

[Brett S]

I think the problem with hand tightening under the tank in an enclosed space like that is that due to the bad angle it’s sometimes difficult to get it very tight. While hand tightening might be easy and sufficient on the back of a tank when you can easily reach it, trying to get something under the tank like that is difficult or impossible. But again, as long as it’s not leaking you are good.

 

[shoelaceike]

Thanks guys I guess I'll fill the bottom of the overflow and test it out

 

[daybreaksky]

I hand tightened then gave it a very gentle twist with a wrench but after 2 weeks I see salt creep under it. no drips or runs just salt creeping through and growing slowly on 2 out of 3 bulkheads :/ I guess it may depend on how pliable the gasket it comes with is, if its on the softer side and can be compressed by hand tightening you should be fine but some are rigid and may need a bit of help to lay flat.

 

[dank reefer]

BRS sells these, but I would check and see if you can find the STI file and hopefully you know someone with a 3d printer

Bulkhead Nut Tool

Makes Installing Bulkheads Easier and Quicker Compatible with Bulk Reef Supply ABS Bulkheads Installing bulkhead nuts can be tough, especially when they are in the back corner of your tank. Barr Aquatic's Nut Tool is perfect to slip over the bulkhead nut and give you a textured surface to turn...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[JoshH]

I would never trust hand tightened bulkheads. IME they always need a 1/4-1/2 turn with a wrench to ensure they don't leak. What type of channel locks do you have? I've found larger tongue and groove pliers will fit vertically overtop of the bulkhead and the end of the teeth will bite onto the nut so you can turn them relatively easily.

 

[shoelaceike]

I would never trust hand tightened bulkheads. IME they always need a 1/4-1/2 turn with a wrench to ensure they don't leak. What type of channel locks do you have? I've found larger tongue and groove pliers will fit vertically overtop of the bulkhead and the end of the teeth will bite onto the nut so you can turn them relatively easily.

Ya I'm going to go to home depot to see if they have longer pliers...i was able to get the 3/4 one and it definitely turned pretty easy

 

[JoshH]

Ya I'm going to go to home depot to see if they have longer pliers...i was able to get the 3/4 one and it definitely turned pretty easy

This is how I tightened mine, I figured pictures would explain what I was attempting to describe earlier better...

That is a 1" bulkhead with 10" Tongue and groove pliers

 

[DungSl1nger]

I hand tightened mine, and haven’t had any leaks, I am far more worried about the material cracking.

 

[Crustaceon]

This is how I tightened mine, I figured pictures would explain what I was attempting to describe earlier...

Heheh YUP

 

[fishface NJ]

I purchased this at Lowe’s yesterday to tighten 5 bulkheads. $12

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Pipe wrench tore mine up a bit but it did stop the leak. Anyone who can hand tighten bulkheads to a point of no leaks is not human. idk

 

[lmm1967]

vaseline or silicone GREASE - not silicon used to seal things - or plumbers grease.

Use in the groove of the rubber washer on the outside of the tank. Hand tighten - no leaks.

 

[shoelaceike]

I purchased this at Lowe’s yesterday to tighten 5 bulkheads. $12

That might work, whats it called?

 

[Cell]

Depends on how strong you and your grip is. It can be enough. It isnt always.

 

[Brett S]

vaseline or silicone GREASE - not silicon used to seal things - or plumbers grease.

Use in the groove of the rubber washer on the outside of the tank. Hand tighten - no leaks.

Silicone grease is good (you can find it in the plumbing section of lowes or Home Depot) but definitely don’t use Vaseline. Vaseline will degrade the rubber O-Ring over time.

 

[fishface NJ]

That might work, whats it called?

lock nut wrench. It's located in the pvc pipe aisle in Lowes. Show them the photo