911..PLEASE HELP!!..... Hayward bulkhead ??

[dvanacker]

I have 200g full and stupid me did not check to make sure the bulkhead on the overflow sealed properly. I have a big problem because its external and I can reach it (I have to drain and move the tank).

The ? is ...I have a 2" hayward bulkhead. I hand tighten the most I could and its major leaks. Was I supposed to use a wrench on these or what is going one. I actually have 3 of these bulkheads in the system and they all leak. HELP!!!

 

[GrimReefer82]

The bulkheads should have a thin layer of silicone against the glass and should be tightened snug with pliers. I believe your only option is to reseal them even if it means breaking down the tank.

 

[dvanacker]

I have done this many times before just hand tightened them (smaller abs type). Gasket on the wet side I know. The hayward has a very thick gasket though......does it need wrench tightening? Should I use silicone?

 

[troylee]

I have always got the seals wet with water when tightening them by hand and have never came across any leaks....."knocks on wood..." you could give them a little snug with channel locks and see what happens, but over tightening will cause them to leak to since it squeezes the seals out....hth...

 

[serpentman]

I always tighten mine down with a wrench. About 1/2 turn beyond hand tightened.

 

[billdogg]

the gasket DOES NOT GO ON THE WET SIDE!!!!!

It belongs on the side the flange is on, not the nut side. if that happens to be the wet side, great. It should also be installed DRY! If you must use something, use plumbers silicone grease, and then just enough to make it shiny. Any more than that and it will either leak or be squeezed out of shape as you tighten it. !/4 to 1/2 turn past hand tight should be more than enough. Check the flange for and left over plastic from the molding process - even a little piece can ruin the seal.

Over the years, I have used many bulkheads. I have never had one leak. The only one I ever had a problem with was the one I used silicone caulk on - and that was when I decided to replumb things - ended up trashing that one and got new

 

[dvanacker]

I finally fixed all 3 of the leaky bulkheads. WORD TO THE WISE. Hayward 2" bulkheads need wrench tightening....lots of force. The gasket is very thick so no need to worry about squishing it. I had a hard time to find a wrench though.....no monkey wrench was big enough...I needed 4.5"...found a huge channel lock though..$40. Dang.

 

[luther1200]

I always tighten minw and any tank I have ever halped anyone set up with a wrench, and never had a leak or any other problems. Obviosly you can't go nuts, but it needs a wrench to be tightend properly IMO.

 

[noahm]

+1 on the silicone GREASE as stated above. DO NOT use regular silicone sealant. The grease is commonly used for rubbing on o-rings etc. You can find it at a SCUBA supply if you have trouble finding it. Just enough to make it shiny and it will help seal and protect the rubber.