Leaky Bulkheads

piranhaman00 · Mar 3, 2022

Never silicone or glue bulkheads,

The golden rule is to only hand tighten however I have found this never works, hand tight and then half turn with wrench is what I do

Sleepingtiger · Mar 3, 2022

The bulk heads, gasket and glass looks good. I am thinking you didn't tighten them enough. Those are really big bulkheads and require a lot of force to tighten them. For my 600g tank i used 1.5" bulkheads. Mine required i use channel locks to tighten them to where they don't leak. The big 16" channel locks.

Hugh Mann · Mar 3, 2022

Sleepingtiger said:
The bulk heads, gasket and glass looks good. I am thinking you didn't tighten them enough. Those are really big bulkheads and require a lot of force to tighten them. For my 600g tank i used 1.5" bulkheads. Mine required i use channel locks to tighten them to where they don't leak. The big 16" channel locks.

That’s what these are. 1.5”.

I love excuses to buy more tools!

Dburr1014 · Mar 3, 2022

I didn't see pics of the gaskets, did I miss them? You said they are still pliable but are they deformed in any way? Do they have those rings in them from the bulkhead? Can they be flipped over if they do? Is it possible you can get dow 111 vacuum grease?

Edit: I did miss them, they are the pieces with the rings?

Reefing102 · Mar 3, 2022

One thing I found with mine, is they didn’t leak until I put the stand pipe in them. Something about the pressure of the stand pipe caused them to leak, I had to place the stand pipe so it was just in the flange snug but not pushed too far in

Hugh Mann · Mar 3, 2022

Reefing102 said:
One thing I found with mine, is they didn’t leak until I put the stand pipe in them. Something about the pressure of the stand pipe caused them to leak, I had to place the stand pipe so it was just in the flange snug but not pushed too far in

Mine are threaded in. Legit couldn’t find slip/slip 1.5” bulkheads. These are slip/threaded. Haven’t tried without the standpipes though.

Hugh Mann · Mar 3, 2022

Dburr1014 said:
I didn't see pics of the gaskets, did I miss them? You said they are still pliable but are they deformed in any way? Do they have those rings in them from the bulkhead? Can they be flipped over if they do? Is it possible you can get dow 111 vacuum grease?

Edit: I did miss them, they are the pieces with the rings?

Yes. With the two rings on them. They have the rings on both sides as opposed to flat on one side.

As for the lubricant, not that specific brand, but there’s loads of silicone lubricants available locally. None are specifically for o rings, but say they can be used for it. Most also contain PTFE, or other synthetic stuff that I am guessing makes them not aquarium safe.

Hugh Mann · Mar 3, 2022

fishguy242 said:
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 ...

It was tight, until I made the… modifications to expand the cutout. It was a fun exercise to do with the tank in place. Plenty of room. The holes are also sized perfectly for a 1.5” bulkhead. There’s next to no wiggle room.

Pntbll687 · Mar 3, 2022

You can try silicone, but it will be a pain if you ever need to adjust the bulkhead down the road.

Probably a bad gasket. Usually gets a crease in it from shipping. It looks flat and fine, but has a slight crease.

Go to the hardware store and get some epdm gasket material and make your own for about $1 if you need to

edd59 · Mar 3, 2022

buy new bulk heads, only need 1 coupler.

Dburr1014 · Mar 3, 2022

Hugh Mann said:
Yes. With the two rings on them. They have the rings on both sides as opposed to flat on one side.

As for the lubricant, not that specific brand, but there’s loads of silicone lubricants available locally. None are specifically for o rings, but say they can be used for it. Most also contain PTFE, or other synthetic stuff that I am guessing makes them not aquarium safe.

Silicone is fine for a sealant. Food grade.

RedReefer · Mar 3, 2022

Looks like they are hitting the wood on the stand. Cut the hole in the stand more . Then reuse and reseat

Hugh Mann · Mar 3, 2022

RedReefer said:
Looks like they are hitting the wood on the stand. Cut the hole in the stand more . Then reuse and reseat

They’re not. It’s close, but a clear gap between the wood and bulkhead. The nut too.

flagg37 · Mar 3, 2022

Just curious but did you get the schedule 80 bulkheads?

Hugh Mann · Mar 3, 2022

flagg37 said:
Just curious but did you get the schedule 80 bulkheads?

I have no idea what these are. Lifeguard Aquatics. Can’t find what schedule they are.

Montiman · Mar 3, 2022

I would try silicone lube not glue everything works better when lubricated. I would also not hesitate to use channel locks if needed.

Hugh Mann · Mar 3, 2022

Montiman said:
I would try silicone lube not glue everything works better when lubricated. I would also not hesitate to use channel locks if needed.

That’s my plan, picked up silicone lube and channel locks today. Just didn’t have enough time to implement it before work. (Holy heck Channel locks are expensive!! $59.99CAD!)

Gonna lube ‘er up and apply the German method of “Gütentite”, and see how it goes.

edd59 · Mar 4, 2022

Hugh Mann said:
That’s my plan, picked up silicone lube and channel locks today. Just didn’t have enough time to implement it before work. (Holy heck Channel locks are expensive!! $59.99CAD!)

Gonna lube ‘er up and apply the German method of “Gütentite”, and see how it goes.

thats what hand tighten, then a 1/4 turn means, the 1/4 turn with a channel lock

Hugh Mann · Mar 4, 2022

VICTORY!

1:25am, March 4, 2022.

I declare victory in the Battle Against Leaky Bulkheads! Silicone Grease and Channel Locks saved the day and allowed me to conquer this most annoying foe!

I of course would be remiss to thank all of you who contributed to this success. Seriously. Thanks everyone!

One step left.

Sleepingtiger · Mar 4, 2022

Hugh Mann said:
VICTORY!

1:25am, March 4, 2022.

I declare victory in the Battle Against Leaky Bulkheads! Silicone Grease and Channel Locks saved the day and allowed me to conquer this most annoying foe!

I of course would be remiss to thank all of you who contributed to this success. Seriously. Thanks everyone!

One step left.