Leaky bulkheads.. And other questions

[Bthomas]

So I just replaced the sump on my tank and had to redo the plumbing to go with it and in doing so my bulkheads on the overflows have started leaking. It's not a massive leak on either one but they are dripping slowly. I know sometimes salt creep can clog them up but I'm wondering how much is too much leak for this to happen? And if that could happen how long am I looking at before they stop dripping.

Another question, if I end up having to pull the bulkheads and replace them or whatever, how long is the tank ok without a sump/skimmer?
I still have the power heads and I dropped a heater into the main tank, how long am I good to go like this?

I'm super discouraged at the moment cause those bulkheads were so hard to get installed the first time with no leaks I really don't wanna go through that again.
If I remember correctly the tank has some silicone on the inside glass around the hole the bulkheads go in which was keeping them from getting a good seal. I tried everything last time and finally got them to not leak and now they've started again..

 

[pecan2phat]

Did you check if they felt not as tight as they should be?
Every tank that I have had over the past 15 years, I've had to re-tighten the bulkhead collar after 5+ years.
See if you can get a wrench on the collar and give it a slight turn. If it turns easily, then 1/4 turn might fix your leak.

 

[Bthomas]

Did you check if they felt not as tight as they should be?
Every tank that I have had over the past 15 years, I've had to re-tighten the bulkhead collar after 5+ years.
See if you can get a wrench on the collar and give it a slight turn. If it turns easily, then 1/4 turn might fix your leak.

They're hand tight for sure. I was able to loosen one a bit and then tighten it back but I'm afraid of over tightening them.
The tank has only been set up for a year

 

[pecan2phat]

Just make sure after you hand tighten, you give it a 1/4 turn with a wrench. This is what most people recommend for tightening bulkheads.

 

[Bthomas]

Havnt had a chance to mess with fixing this yet but i checked on the bulkheads just now and it doesn't look like it's leaking anymore.. I still havnt turned sump back on to test for sure but is it possible that salt creep has closed the leaks? If so is it safe to leave it as is? Assuming there is still no leaks under normal operation

 

[lapin]

Its prob safe . If you wanted to be extra sure of a seal next time you have them apart you can put some silicone lube on the gasket. It will help them seal. Lube not the sealer.

 

[Bthomas]

Its prob safe . If you wanted to be extra sure of a seal next time you have them apart you can put some silicone lube on the gasket. It will help them seal. Lube not the sealer.

I don't plan on ever taking them apart again if I don't have to lol

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Its prob safe . If you wanted to be extra sure of a seal next time you have them apart you can put some silicone lube on the gasket. It will help them seal. Lube not the sealer.

Vaseline works well also!

 

[JumboShrimp]

Salt creep is good for some very minor leaks—hit or miss— but if does become ‘sealed’ by salt, it usually stays sealed unless the interface is jostled in some way. As for your other question, if you have powers heads and heat in your main tank, I would think you could keep your sump off line for plenty of time— enough to remove the bulkheads, dry the holes, silicone, and re-bulkhead, with cure time— before you ever missed the sump. (But keep separate flow in the sump while it’s offline.). Best wishes!

 

[Bthomas]

Salt creep is good for some very minor leaks—hit or miss— but if does become ‘sealed’ by salt, it usually stays sealed unless the interface is jostled in some way. As for your other question, if you have powers heads and heat in your main tank, I would think you could keep your sump off line for plenty of time— enough to remove the bulkheads, dry the holes, silicone, and re-bulkhead, with cure time— before you ever missed the sump. (But keep separate flow in the sump while it’s offline.). Best wishes!

How much jostling do u think would be needed to cause it to leak again?
If I don't see any more signs of leaking i think I'm gonna leave it alone. I just don't want to be afraid to touch a pipe in fear of causing it to leak lol

 

[JumboShrimp]

If the bulkhead is tightened to the proverbial ‘hand tight plus a 1/4 turn’ (you never want to risk cracking your glass!), and the salt creep seems to have stoped the leak, then unless you inadvertently twist the bulkhead (such as by twisting the attached pipe), I think you should be good. I’d check it a few times each day for 3-4 days, and you can probably have peace of mind after that.

 

[Bthomas]

If the bulkhead is tightened to the proverbial ‘hand tight plus a 1/4 turn’ (you never want to risk cracking your glass!), and the salt creep seems to have stoped the leak, then unless you inadvertently twist the bulkhead (such as by twisting the attached pipe), I think you should be good. I’d check it a few times each day for 3-4 days, and you can probably have peace of mind after that.

Sounds good. Thank you

 

[Bthomas]

Ok so I do still have one bulkhead that is leaking but it's a very minor leak. How long do u think it might take for salt creep to stop the leak if it's going to? I think I may let it sit for a bit and see if that happens

 

[JumboShrimp]

It’s hard to diagnose remotely, because everyone’s definition of “a very minor leak” would be different, but when you say “leak,” is it merely wet around the bulkhead, as opposed to drops of water? If it is actually dripping, 1 drop per second, 1 drop per 20 seconds— the faster it is actually dripping, the less likely salt creep will plug it. If it is actually dripping slightly, maybe wrap some cloth around it to give the salt creep time to get a foothold...

 

[Bthomas]

It’s hard to diagnose remotely, because everyone’s definition of “a very minor leak” would be different, but when you say “leak,” is it merely wet around the bulkhead, as opposed to drops of water? If it is actually dripping, 1 drop per second, 1 drop per 20 seconds— the faster it is actually dripping, the less likely salt creep will plug it. If it is actually dripping slightly, maybe wrap some cloth around it to give the salt creep time to get a foothold...

It's mostly just kinda pooling up around the threads of the bulkhead with maybe a drip every couple minutes.

 

[Bthomas]

Also if the salt does start to creep, if I wipe it off will that take away its holding power?

 

[JumboShrimp]

That’s more promising, then. Still a temporary cloth wrap might help— but you are there to judge the flow; maybe just keep an eye on it and see what the morning brings. But ‘no,’ don’t wipe it off.

 

[Bthomas]

Ok so it's been a couple days and 2 of the bulkheads have stopped dripping, the third stopped for a bit but then started back again.. It is again a very very minor leak. It's not even dripping down at all its just getting wet around the pipe. I have a paper towel wrapped around it currently and I'm not seeing anything through the towel at all. So will I be ok to leave it be like this? There is alot of salt creep around all 3.
I know as soon as I need to disconnect the pipes at the unions they will most likely start leaking again but until then would it be safe to leave it be?
My only other option would be to tear the plumbing apart, pull the stand pipes and try to reseat these bulkheads..

 

[Porkstar]

Don’t forget a nice alcohol wipe on the orings to clean off debris. Then reapply