Leaky Bulkhead
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Main
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Description: Posts that don't fit in any of the other categories.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6135
Printed Date: December 16 2025 at 1:24am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Leaky Bulkhead
Posted By: Cody Pearce
Subject: Leaky Bulkhead
Date Posted: April 08 2005 at 4:44pm
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I was doing some of the mods to my skimmer that Anthony Calfo suggested and I loosed one of my bulkheads so that it has a a slow drip. I'm struggling to get it back tightened up. ------------- 90 gallon mixed reef My fish swim naked. |
Replies:
Posted By: dnellans
Date Posted: April 08 2005 at 5:13pm
| pipewrench? sometimes loosening just a bit then retightening can get you tighter. |
Posted By: Cody Pearce
Date Posted: April 08 2005 at 5:26pm
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I don't have enough room to get a pipe wrench around it. Plus I don't want to over tighten it. ------------- 90 gallon mixed reef My fish swim naked. |
Posted By: Jake Pehrson
Date Posted: April 08 2005 at 5:28pm
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Bulkheads should only be hand tightened (or maybe a 1/4 turn past hand tight). Most bulkhead leaks I have seen are caused by over-tightening the bulkhead. ------------- Jake Pehrson Murray http://coralplanet.com" rel="nofollow - coralplanet.com http://utahbeeranch.com" rel="nofollow - :) |
Posted By: Cody Pearce
Date Posted: April 08 2005 at 7:37pm
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How big a hole could I cut out of my stand to get to the bulkhead? ------------- 90 gallon mixed reef My fish swim naked. |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: April 08 2005 at 11:56pm
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Glass aquariums sit only on the frame around the edge. The rest of the stand top board is practically useless. I recommend cutting a huge hole (8")for bulkheads.
After the tank is in place and filled it may seem like a pain and it can make a mess, but it works if you take a pair of Channel Locs and rip it apart bite by bite from the bottom.  Pry down not up. Don't hit or put pressure on the bottom glass of the tank, or  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: SharkByteShaz
Date Posted: April 09 2005 at 8:08am
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I agree with Jake. Something else that may help is to ensure that the gasket is supple(soft). If the gasket is really old or cracking no amount of torque or lack there of in this case is going to give you a good seal. I've often used a small amount of petroleum jelly (old plumbers trick) but now I use silicone lube (the same stuff that PVC unions and high end pump gaskets are using from the factory) to increase the contact. Petroleum jelly has a tendency to breakdown the gaskets in the long run, but it works as a quick fix. ------------- HOLD MY BEER, I WANT TO TRY SOMETHING... |