Preemptive Bulkhead Replacement???

bevo5 · Dec 27, 2021

So....the plumbing on my 200g has been up and running for a little over 6 years. About two months ago I had to replace a drain bulkhead because it started to drip. For even longer than that, however, I've had a return line bulkhead that has a nice ring of salt creep around it. Knock on wood it hasn't gotten worse, but I've avoided touching it. It's clearly had some water leakage at some point.

I've got a few days off - and I'm wondering if maybe I should just go ahead and cut it out and replace it? Or, should I leave well enough alone?

I know it's impossible to say, but just wondering what the general vibe is. I've got all the spare parts and it won't be impossible, but it's definitely going to be work to get under there and get it all done. It's a dual return line, so my main concern is I do something that makes the spacing off or something and creates more headaches.

shwareefer · Dec 27, 2021

If salt creep seals it, I leave it.

Sshannon · Dec 27, 2021

Sounds like the gasket for the bulkhead may finally decayed

mfinn · Dec 27, 2021

If it ain't broke,,,,,,,,don't fix it.

JumboShrimp · Dec 27, 2021

I would tend to think that unlike some problems, something like that involving the gasket/bulkhead is not going to lead to an all/out, catastrophic, midnight blowout. So for now, I would keep monitoring it, unless of course you just would like to enjoy redoing it for the “weekend project” aspect of it all. Let us know what you decide.

dedragon · Dec 27, 2021

Sshannon said:
Sounds like the gasket for the bulkhead may finally decayed

^this can happen over time, most likely it is just a bit compressed to much and slipped a bit out of place. sometimes on really cheap bulkheads a little silicone grease can help to create a better seal, just make sure the gasket doesnt slip on installation and dont overtighten

dedragon · Dec 27, 2021

i dont worry unless i can actually feel water around it at all, if it is just salt creep you can try to clean and reinstall the bulkhead with a little lubricant next time you do a large water change, but i wouldnt say it is fully necessary

bevo5 · Dec 28, 2021

Hey thanks for the input, everyone. I was waiting to respond so I could see if there was a general consensus - which there seems to be. I'm going to go ahead and watch to see what happens.

I could try tightening it a bit - but the last time I did that I caused a much bigger leak that I could not fix because the plastic nut (is that what it's called?) was so tight around the bulkhead that I couldn't even move it with a wrench. So I had to cut the whole thing out.

JumboShrimp · Dec 28, 2021

(Just for you to know if-and-when the time comes, the various bulkhead 'nut' wrenches sold by BRS were very helpful when I was doing my plumbing to get into tight spaces and have sufficient grip/torque.)

dedragon · Dec 28, 2021

bevo5 said:
Hey thanks for the input, everyone. I was waiting to respond so I could see if there was a general consensus - which there seems to be. I'm going to go ahead and watch to see what happens.

I could try tightening it a bit - but the last time I did that I caused a much bigger leak that I could not fix because the plastic nut (is that what it's called?) was so tight around the bulkhead that I couldn't even move it with a wrench. So I had to cut the whole thing out.

dont overtighten that can cause a bigger leak as the gasket can slip