Leaky Bulkheads

[Hugh Mann]

Did a leak test on my build today. Not as good as I hoped, but honestly better than expected.

The only drippy drip came from both bulkheads. Slow drip, looks like it’s coming from the them not sealing rather than improper gluing of the pvc. The gasket was clean, as was the glass. Tightened them as much as I could too.

Question: Where to go from here?

 

[blaxsun]

Redo?

 

[kdx7214]

Did a leak test on my build today. Not as good as I hoped, but honestly better than expected.

The only drippy drip came from both bulkheads. Slow drip, looks like it’s coming from the them not sealing rather than improper gluing of the pvc. The gasket was clean, as was the glass. Tightened them as much as I could too.

Question: Where to go from here?

I had a similar problem on my build. I took them apart, cleaned, and they still had a small slow leak. Eventually I gave up and put an unholy amount of silicone sealer around them and that fixed it. I know there's supposed to be a way to get them to work, but I never found a solution.

 

[fishguy242]

losen, then reset,hand tighten ,then snug ,do not overtighten.

 

[mdb_talon]

I would unscrew and wipe down the gaskets with rodi and a rag and retry. A properly installed bulkhead should not leak even just with a hand tightening. If tighten too much that may be the issue.

 

[Hugh Mann]

losen, then reset,hand tighten ,then snug ,do not overtighten.

I would unscrew and wipe down the gaskets with rodi and a rag and retry. A properly installed bulkhead should not leak even just with a hand tightening. If tighten too much that may be the issue.

I wonder if that is my problem, over tightening them. Will reset and try again and post an update.

 

[KStatefan]

Is the gasket in the correct location

there used to be a pinned thread about bulkhead tips by ArizonaRat that had good info in it

 

[Snoopy 67]

The gasket should NOT be under the nut that tightens everything up.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Is the gasket in the correct location

there used to be a pinned thread about bulkhead tips by ArizonaRat that had good info in it

Should be. Gasket goes on the same side as the water, yes?

 

[KStatefan]

Should be. Gasket goes on the same side as the water, yes?

Flange side of the bulkhead

 

[edd59]

hand tighten, then a 1/4 turn. and gasket on flange as mentioned.

 

[Tenecor Aquariums]

Post a pic of the bulkhead. Is it a true bulkhead?

 

[Hugh Mann]

hand tighten, then a 1/4 turn. and gasket on flange as mentioned.

Did this.

Still leaks. Gasket on the right side. Also checked, no debris blocking it either. If anything it leaked worse than cranking it on. On both of them.

 

[Sleepingtiger]

Might be a bad gasket. I know its a pain, but if you have a bulkhead that doesn't leak, take the gasket from that and see if it still leaks. If it still leaks, you might have a cracked bulkhead or a bulkhead that isn't flat causing the gasket to improperly seal. I am thinking the later since you might have gotten a bad batch of bulkheads since both are failing.
Inspect the bulkhead and see if its not deformed.

Is this a used tank? the previous owner might of used silicon to seal their bulkhead. The old silicon is causing the gasket to improperly seal. Run a razor across and see if you pick up anything.

I remember getting bulkheads from amazon and for some reason they gave me two gaskets. Make sure there is only one gasket being used.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Might be a bad gasket. I know its a pain, but if you have a bulkhead that doesn't leak, take the gasket from that and see if it still leaks. If it still leaks, you might have a cracked bulkhead or a bulkhead that isn't flat causing the gasket to improperly seal. I am thinking the later since you might have gotten a bad batch of bulkheads since both are failing.
Inspect the bulkhead and see if its not deformed.

Is this a used tank? the previous owner might of used silicon to seal their bulkhead. The old silicon is causing the gasket to improperly seal. Run a razor across and see if you pick up anything.

I remember getting bulkheads from amazon and for some reason they gave me two gaskets. Make sure there is only one gasket being used.

I desperately hope not, because I would have to chop my plumbing apart to get the bulkheads out. Not the end of the world, but very annoying indeed.

I do not have any spare gaskets, and as far as I have been able to find, the nearest available pvc bulkheads are about 300 kilometres away. It’s apparently all three that are leaking. There’s a third smaller one plugging a hole in the sump, and it too has a leak. So slight I didn’t even notice it among the water from the other two. Barely even a dribble really.

It is a used tank, but the old plumbing was not siliconed into place. I removed it myself when I picked up the tank.

These bulkheads are from J&L Aquatics, not that they’re likely from a different manufacturer from those Amazon ones. Only one rubber gasket per bulkhead.

 

[WVNed]

First I would try putting another 1/8-1/4 turn on the nuts. Hand tight is like saying tap water. Everyones is different.

Second I would try getting some silicone into where the gaskets are. Just thin smear on both sides of the gasket, tighten it up and wait 24 hours or whatever the tube says.

Third I would cuss a lot and order new bulkheads. If the gaskets have hardened from age they will never seal.

 

[Hugh Mann]

First I would try putting another 1/8-1/4 turn on the nuts. Hand tight is like saying tap water. Everyones is different.

Second I would try getting some silicone into where the gaskets are. Just thin smear on both sides of the gasket, tighten it up and wait 24 hours or whatever the tube says.

Third I would cuss a lot and order new bulkheads. If the gaskets have hardened from age they will never seal.

I tried snug, and an extra 1/4 and 1/2 turn, which was as tight as I could make it. I should add, while far from Hulk, my hands aren’t exactly limp fish either.

Have’t tried the silicone yet, as evidently “aquarium safe silicone” is unheard of around here.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Here’s some photos of the parts, after yet more failures trying different levels of tightening, cleaning and recleaning the glass, as well as the drilled holes.

The gaskets are still soft and pliable. Though I noticed some flashing on the bulkheads. The underside of the flange isn’t exactly smooth either. Nothing crazy, but I see where it dug into the gaskets a bit. Could this be the cause of days of frustration, and a very wet floor?

I don’t see any obvious issues though, no cracks or anything like that.

 

[fishguy242]

hi, stinks, you could try sanding down flanges ,
the rings on the 0 ring go to glass, make sure centered on hole,and wet when installed.
kinda looks like it's tight to wood cutout in pic, could be off centering ??
or just order new ones ...

 

[WVNed]

I dont see anything wrong with them in the pics.
so glue or new ones or new gaskets