Bulkheads

[Ken]

I am having trouble gett a good seal on a new bulkhead. I am installing a 1"
slip bulkhead into a 20 gal acrylic tank I will be using as a sump. The hole
is drilled on the lower left hand side towards the back. I have the tail
piece pointing inside the tank so that the flat part of bulkhead is on the
outside. Yes I have the gasket on the wet side. Getting small drops around
fitting on the outside. Questions: Does it have to be installed so tail
piece is on outside of tank? How tight do you tightened? I have tried hand
tight and very tight.Is the use of silicone on the faces of the bulkhead
usefull on acrylic?

Help and thanks,

Ken

[ninja.rider]

i couldn't get mine to seal that way, but with the threads on the outside
and the gasket inside (no silicone), it's never leaked.

"Ken" > wrote in message
. net...
> I am having trouble gett a good seal on a new bulkhead. I am installing a
1"
> slip bulkhead into a 20 gal acrylic tank I will be using as a sump. The
hole
> is drilled on the lower left hand side towards the back. I have the tail
> piece pointing inside the tank so that the flat part of bulkhead is on the
> outside. Yes I have the gasket on the wet side. Getting small drops around
> fitting on the outside. Questions: Does it have to be installed so tail
> piece is on outside of tank? How tight do you tightened? I have tried hand
> tight and very tight.Is the use of silicone on the faces of the bulkhead
> usefull on acrylic?
>
> Help and thanks,
>
> Ken
>
>

[Marc Levenson]

Hi Ken,

The tail does go on the outside, the rubber gasket on the inside. Hand tight
isn't enough. You'll have to use an adjustable wrench to tighten it further,
until it is snug and you can't jiggle it out of position at all.

Silicone will mess up the seal, and cause the washer to push out from under the
bulkhead. Overtightening will do the same. You just want a good tightly
screwed connection, but not so much that the bulkhead or nut is cracked/broken.

It is very frustrating working on these, I assure. I got the honor of working
on two separate tanks two weeks in a row, and was completely without patience
fighting those things.

Marc


Ken wrote:

> I am having trouble gett a good seal on a new bulkhead. I am installing a 1"
> slip bulkhead into a 20 gal acrylic tank I will be using as a sump. The hole
> is drilled on the lower left hand side towards the back. I have the tail
> piece pointing inside the tank so that the flat part of bulkhead is on the
> outside. Yes I have the gasket on the wet side. Getting small drops around
> fitting on the outside. Questions: Does it have to be installed so tail
> piece is on outside of tank? How tight do you tightened? I have tried hand
> tight and very tight.Is the use of silicone on the faces of the bulkhead
> usefull on acrylic?
>
> Help and thanks,
>
> Ken

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Steve \Srfmon\]

Come on Marc! You having trouble with a BH?
Yeah, Right!
Steve

"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
> Hi Ken,
>
> The tail does go on the outside, the rubber gasket on the inside. Hand
tight
> isn't enough. You'll have to use an adjustable wrench to tighten it
further,
> until it is snug and you can't jiggle it out of position at all.
>
> Silicone will mess up the seal, and cause the washer to push out from
under the
> bulkhead. Overtightening will do the same. You just want a good tightly
> screwed connection, but not so much that the bulkhead or nut is
cracked/broken.
>
> It is very frustrating working on these, I assure. I got the honor of
working
> on two separate tanks two weeks in a row, and was completely without
patience
> fighting those things.
>
> Marc
>
>
> Ken wrote:
>
> > I am having trouble gett a good seal on a new bulkhead. I am installing
a 1"
> > slip bulkhead into a 20 gal acrylic tank I will be using as a sump. The
hole
> > is drilled on the lower left hand side towards the back. I have the tail
> > piece pointing inside the tank so that the flat part of bulkhead is on
the
> > outside. Yes I have the gasket on the wet side. Getting small drops
around
> > fitting on the outside. Questions: Does it have to be installed so tail
> > piece is on outside of tank? How tight do you tightened? I have tried
hand
> > tight and very tight.Is the use of silicone on the faces of the bulkhead
> > usefull on acrylic?
> >
> > Help and thanks,
> >
> > Ken
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>
>

[Rod]

The "tail" can go on either side.. and the gasket can go on either side ,__ as
long as it is opposite the nut__.. The leak is from the gasket getting
pinched/warpes/streached when tightening the nut.. Gasket can be on the dry
side.. If you have a little strength in your hands, you should nopt need a
wrench either..
If you search reefcentral, you will read this many times, and I thought it has
been covered here many times too
..
>The tail does go on the outside, the rubber gasket on the inside. Hand tight
>isn't enough. You'll have to use an adjustable wrench to tighten it further,
>until it is snug and you can't jiggle it out of position at all.
>


Rod Buehler
www.asplashoflife.com

[Kevin M]

"Rod" > wrote in message
...
| The "tail" can go on either side.. and the gasket can go on either side
,__ as
| long as it is opposite the nut__.. The leak is from the gasket getting
| pinched/warpes/streached when tightening the nut.. Gasket can be on the
dry
| side.. If you have a little strength in your hands, you should nopt need
a
| wrench either..


Rod is right....a bulkhead can go either way, as long as the gasket is ON
THE FLANGE SIDE, NOT THE TAIL.
The OPs problem is that with the gasket on the tail (big nut) side, water is
creeping through the threads. No amount of tightening will stop the leak.
Install the gasket correctly, and it WILL stop leaking.

Kev

[Richard Reynolds]

> The OPs problem is that with the gasket on the tail (big nut) side, water is
> creeping through the threads. No amount of tightening will stop the leak.
> Install the gasket correctly, and it WILL stop leaking.

I've never installed a bulkhead with the gasket on the nut side so its only a guess, but
you might just need to replace that gasket now, if its bent/warped its not worth a leak
replace the gasket


--
Richard Reynolds

[Marc Levenson]

They were both in horribly inaccessible locations. I'd like to get one of those
special "wrenches" that they sell to remove water heater elements, but bulkhead
size! They would make life SO much easier, and turn a few hour project in to a
2 minute solution!

Marc


Steve \"Srfmon\" wrote:

> Come on Marc! You having trouble with a BH?
> Yeah, Right!
> Steve
>

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[reefkeeper]

Would teflon tape prevent creeping through the threads if the bulkheads were
being used in a low pressure application - the connection of a two-piece
sump at the top of the two pieces' water level?


"Kevin M" > wrote in message
.. .
> "Rod" > wrote in message
> ...
> | The "tail" can go on either side.. and the gasket can go on either side
> ,__ as
> | long as it is opposite the nut__.. The leak is from the gasket getting
> | pinched/warpes/streached when tightening the nut.. Gasket can be on the
> dry
> | side.. If you have a little strength in your hands, you should nopt
need
> a
> | wrench either..
>
>
> Rod is right....a bulkhead can go either way, as long as the gasket is ON
> THE FLANGE SIDE, NOT THE TAIL.
> The OPs problem is that with the gasket on the tail (big nut) side, water
is
> creeping through the threads. No amount of tightening will stop the leak.
> Install the gasket correctly, and it WILL stop leaking.
>
> Kev
>
>

[Rod]

>Would teflon tape prevent creeping through the threads if the bulkheads were
>being used in a low pressure application - the connection of a two-piece
>sump at the top of the two pieces' water level?
>
>

Yes, it might, but if they are installed properly (ie: gasket next to the
flange and opposite the nut, a _good_ hand tightening is all they need. no
tape, no silicone, and no wrenches. I have installed hundreds (possibly
thousands) of bulkheads this way, as have most other people, without any
leaks.. There have been a few rare occasions when installing a bulkhead on a
round surface that I have had leakers that need moddifying
Rod Buehler
www.asplashoflife.com

[reefkeeper]

Rod,

Thanks for your quick reply. The difference with the two piece sump is that
both sides of the bulkhead will be underwater so there will be a gasket both
on the flange side and the nut side. I could connect the two pieces with two
bulkheads connected with some flex pvc pipe, but having just one bulkhead
would save a lot of space.

"Rod" > wrote in message
...
> >Would teflon tape prevent creeping through the threads if the bulkheads
were
> >being used in a low pressure application - the connection of a two-piece
> >sump at the top of the two pieces' water level?
> >
> >
>
> Yes, it might, but if they are installed properly (ie: gasket next to the
> flange and opposite the nut, a _good_ hand tightening is all they need. no
> tape, no silicone, and no wrenches. I have installed hundreds (possibly
> thousands) of bulkheads this way, as have most other people, without any
> leaks.. There have been a few rare occasions when installing a bulkhead on
a
> round surface that I have had leakers that need moddifying
> Rod Buehler
> www.asplashoflife.com

[Rod]

if the sumps can be pulled together tight enough (flush), putting the gasket
between the two sumps should work fine. As long as the gasket is not being
twisted by the nut when you tighten it.. If you cant draw the 2 sumps together
tight enough, I would probably use 2 bulkheads and pipe inbetween.
Good Luck
>Thanks for your quick reply. The difference with the two piece sump is that
>both sides of the bulkhead will be underwater so there will be a gasket both
>on the flange side and the nut side. I could connect the two pieces with two
>bulkheads connected with some flex pvc pipe, but having just one bulkhead
>would save a lot of space.
>
>"Rod" > wrote in message
...
>> >Would teflon tape prevent creeping through the threads if the bulkheads
>were
>> >being used in a low pressure application - the connection of a two-piece
>> >sump at the top of the two pieces' water level?
>> >
>> >
>>
>> Yes, it might, but if they are installed properly (ie: gasket next to the
>> flange and opposite the nut, a _good_ hand tightening is all they need. no
>> tape, no silicone, and no wrenches. I have installed hundreds (possibly
>> thousands) of bulkheads this way, as have most other people, without any
>> leaks.. There have been a few rare occasions when installing a bulkhead on
>a
>> round surface that I have had leakers that need moddifying
>> Rod Buehler
>> www.asplashoflife.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>


Rod Buehler
www.asplashoflife.com

[reefkeeper]

I'm sorry, the configuration will go like this:

Nut - gasket - side of sump 2 - side of sump 1 - gasket - flange

The sump 2 side shouldn't have a problem, but I'm concerned about leakage
through the threads with the sump 1 side. The gasket on the nut/sump 1 side
is pretty thick, so twisting won't affect it too much. I guess I could
always do a water fill test to see if it leaks.

"Rod" > wrote in message
...
> if the sumps can be pulled together tight enough (flush), putting the
gasket
> between the two sumps should work fine. As long as the gasket is not being
> twisted by the nut when you tighten it.. If you cant draw the 2 sumps
together
> tight enough, I would probably use 2 bulkheads and pipe inbetween.
> Good Luck
> >Thanks for your quick reply. The difference with the two piece sump is
that
> >both sides of the bulkhead will be underwater so there will be a gasket
both
> >on the flange side and the nut side. I could connect the two pieces with
two
> >bulkheads connected with some flex pvc pipe, but having just one bulkhead
> >would save a lot of space.
> >
> >"Rod" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> >Would teflon tape prevent creeping through the threads if the
bulkheads
> >were
> >> >being used in a low pressure application - the connection of a
two-piece
> >> >sump at the top of the two pieces' water level?
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >> Yes, it might, but if they are installed properly (ie: gasket next to
the
> >> flange and opposite the nut, a _good_ hand tightening is all they need.
no
> >> tape, no silicone, and no wrenches. I have installed hundreds (possibly
> >> thousands) of bulkheads this way, as have most other people, without
any
> >> leaks.. There have been a few rare occasions when installing a bulkhead
on
> >a
> >> round surface that I have had leakers that need moddifying
> >> Rod Buehler
> >> www.asplashoflife.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> Rod Buehler
> www.asplashoflife.com

[Richard Reynolds]

> Nut - gasket - side of sump 2 - side of sump 1 - gasket - flange

try

nut - gasket - sump 2 - gasket - sump 1 - gasket - flange


--
Richard Reynolds

[Kevin M]

"reefkeeper" > wrote in message
...
| I'm sorry, the configuration will go like this:
|
| Nut - gasket - side of sump 2 - side of sump 1 - gasket - flange
|
| The sump 2 side shouldn't have a problem, but I'm concerned about leakage
| through the threads with the sump 1 side. The gasket on the nut/sump 1
side
| is pretty thick, so twisting won't affect it too much. I guess I could
| always do a water fill test to see if it leaks.

It'll work better like Rob mentioned, if you can swing it.
IOW...
nut - side of Sump 1 - gasket - side of Sump 2 - flange


HTH,
Kev

[reefkeeper]

Okay, I get it now. The gasket between the two sumps' sides does double
duty. It prevents a leak from the sump 2 side, and it also prevents a leak
from the threads from the sump 1 side.


"Kevin M" > wrote in message
...
> "reefkeeper" > wrote in message
> ...
> | I'm sorry, the configuration will go like this:
> |
> | Nut - gasket - side of sump 2 - side of sump 1 - gasket - flange
> |
> | The sump 2 side shouldn't have a problem, but I'm concerned about
leakage
> | through the threads with the sump 1 side. The gasket on the nut/sump 1
> side
> | is pretty thick, so twisting won't affect it too much. I guess I could
> | always do a water fill test to see if it leaks.
>
> It'll work better like Rob mentioned, if you can swing it.
> IOW...
> nut - side of Sump 1 - gasket - side of Sump 2 - flange
>
>
> HTH,
> Kev
>
>
>
>

[Charlie Spitzer]

teflon tape is used to be able to remove fittings in the future. it's not
supposed to be used to prevent leaks.

"reefkeeper" > wrote in message
...
> Would teflon tape prevent creeping through the threads if the bulkheads
were
> being used in a low pressure application - the connection of a two-piece
> sump at the top of the two pieces' water level?
>
>
> "Kevin M" > wrote in message
> .. .
> > "Rod" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > | The "tail" can go on either side.. and the gasket can go on either
side
> > ,__ as
> > | long as it is opposite the nut__.. The leak is from the gasket getting
> > | pinched/warpes/streached when tightening the nut.. Gasket can be on
the
> > dry
> > | side.. If you have a little strength in your hands, you should nopt
> need
> > a
> > | wrench either..
> >
> >
> > Rod is right....a bulkhead can go either way, as long as the gasket is
ON
> > THE FLANGE SIDE, NOT THE TAIL.
> > The OPs problem is that with the gasket on the tail (big nut) side,
water
> is
> > creeping through the threads. No amount of tightening will stop the
leak.
> > Install the gasket correctly, and it WILL stop leaking.
> >
> > Kev
> >
> >
>
>

[CapFusion]

"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
> They were both in horribly inaccessible locations. I'd like to get one of
those
> special "wrenches" that they sell to remove water heater elements, but
bulkhead
> size! They would make life SO much easier, and turn a few hour project in
to a
> 2 minute solution!
>
> Marc
>
Are you talking about the "Auto-Lock" wrench / piler [self-adjustable]?

CapFusion,...

[Marc Levenson]

No, it is a metal 6-sided sleeve, that is usually about 5 or 6" long/tall. You
slip it over the end of a water heater element, and insert a thin metal rod
through the end of the sleeve, which gives you some leverage to unscrew (or
screw in) the element.

These are smaller in diameter from our bulkheads, but the principle is the
same. If the collar/sleeve had a hex shaped end on it, you could push the
sleeve over the bulkhead nut, and use pliers a few inches beneath the tank where
there is access and clearance. It would be sooooo easy to do this quickly and
know it is being done right.

Marc

CapFusion wrote:

>
> Are you talking about the "Auto-Lock" wrench / piler [self-adjustable]?
>
> CapFusion,...

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[kim gross]

Ken wrote:
> I am having trouble gett a good seal on a new bulkhead. I am installing a 1"
> slip bulkhead into a 20 gal acrylic tank I will be using as a sump. The hole
> is drilled on the lower left hand side towards the back. I have the tail
> piece pointing inside the tank so that the flat part of bulkhead is on the
> outside. Yes I have the gasket on the wet side. Getting small drops around
> fitting on the outside. Questions: Does it have to be installed so tail
> piece is on outside of tank? How tight do you tightened? I have tried hand
> tight and very tight.Is the use of silicone on the faces of the bulkhead
> usefull on acrylic?
>
> Help and thanks,
>
> Ken
>
>
Move the gasket to the outside of the tank and it will seal. The gasket
must be on the flat part of the bulkhead not under the nut if you want
it to seal.

Kim
http://www.jensalt.com

[Ken]

OK I moved it to the flat side, everthing is wonderful now. I should of
known better then to put gaket on nut side.

Thanks for all the help. Hope I can return favor one day.

Ken

[Dragon Slayer]

"Charlie Spitzer" > wrote in message
...
> teflon tape is used to be able to remove fittings in the future. it's not
> supposed to be used to prevent leaks.
>

oh contraire.............Teflon tape is designed to seal and prevent leaks
not as an anti-seize

[reefkeeper]

Yeah,

I was looking at my roll of teflon tape yesterday while I was putting
together my new sump and it said, "For Thread Seals". I guess if it makes it
easier to take off fittings in the future, that's an added bonus. This site
also talks about the use of teflon tape for thread seals:

http://www.cleanfit.com/tapes.htm

"Dragon Slayer" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Charlie Spitzer" > wrote in message
> ...
> > teflon tape is used to be able to remove fittings in the future. it's
not
> > supposed to be used to prevent leaks.
> >
>
> oh contraire.............Teflon tape is designed to seal and prevent leaks
> not as an anti-seize
>
>