bulkhead question

[Dangerwill]

I had to buy new bulkheads and I still have my unused gaskets from the previous bulkheads. is it a stupid idea to put one one each side of the glass since I have the extras or should I just go regular style and put it on the flange side only?

 

[sleepydoc]

I would just put the one on the flange side - putting one on the other side won't help anything.

 

[Dangerwill]

Thank you

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

my 1.5" hayward bulkheads come with 2 rubber gaskets and a cork gasket, designed to be installed with a rubber on the flange and then a rubber on the back covered by the cork one prior to installing the nut...i only installed the rubber on the flange side though as that is all that is needed..

 

[Lain]

Maybe on the nut side too if you are afraid of scratching up your acrylic.

 

[keithhays]

duplicate

 

[keithhays]

The gasket should go on the flange side and the flange side should be on the water side. There is no point a a gasket on the non-flange side. Given that I am a belt and suspenders guy, I also put silicone on flange and gasket; I don't like to have to go back and do it again.

I should have said why a gasket on the non-flange side has no point: If the flange side leaks, water will come through the threads on the other side and a gasket there will not stop that water because the water does not need to go by a gasket there to leak.

 

[uncleof6]

Keithhays,

It does not matter what side the flange is on. It can be on the wet side, or the dry side, depending on the needs of the system. The only thing that does matter, is that the gasket be on the flange side of the bulkhead, regardless of orientation.

Also, there is absolutely no point in putting any lubricant/sealant on the flange gasket. In fact this is one reason that bulkheads leak: when tightening the bulkhead, the gasket will slip out, thus undoing your efforts. Using these materials with a bulkhead make it more likely you will have to go back and do it again.

Bulkheads usually only leak due to improper installation: using lubes/sealants, over-tightening, or gasket under the nut, rather than the flange.

 

[keithhays]

Keithhays,

It does not matter what side the flange is on. It can be on the wet side, or the dry side, depending on the needs of the system. The only thing that does matter, is that the gasket be on the flange side of the bulkhead, regardless of orientation.

Also, there is absolutely no point in putting any lubricant/sealant on the flange gasket. In fact this is one reason that bulkheads leak: when tightening the bulkhead, the gasket will slip out, thus undoing your efforts. Using these materials with a bulkhead make it more likely you will have to go back and do it again.

Bulkheads usually only leak due to improper installation: using lubes/sealants, over-tightening, or gasket under the nut, rather than the flange.

I will grant you that there isn't much of a point is putting anything additional on the gasket, that is just me. I tend to use thick gaskets which don't slip much which probably makes the difference. Now trying tighten a nut on a bulkhead from the wet side of anything is a bit of a nightmare, but to each his own.

I think we can agree however on the main point which is there isn't a reason to put a gasket on the non-flange side?

Happy Reefing

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

i dont see why tightening the nut from the wet side is any different then doing it from the dry side...there is no water in the tank when you put the bulkhead in anyway...it just depends on what your setup calls for, some people dont have the room to put the flange on the wet side..

the gasket with cork on the nut side is to alleviate any stress the bulkhead may put on the glass, as a result of poor craftsmanship of the nut...if the surface of the nut is slightly convex it will press on the nice fancy hole you just drilled in your glass...the hole, that without a doubt, has one million micro fractures all around it...i will say that you cannot use a rubber gasket on the nut side without a cork one on top of it...reason being is simple, the nut will bind and not tighten against the rubber, the cork is there so the nut will still turn until it is tight....as mentioned the gasket on the nut side does nothing for keeping the tank water tight...

reasons for not over tightening the nut on any bulkhead is two fold...one it prevents the rubber gasket from slipping out, and two, it prevents the bulkhead from cracking the tank, i suppose thirdly is that you could also strip or crack the bulkhead itself...

 

[tripdad]

If you choose to use a little sealant, silicone, put ONLY a small bead in the corner of the fitting where the flange meets the barrel, never on the rubber gasket. This will give you the back up seal your looking for if the gasket keaks, should not be necessary but hey it's your tank to do as you like.

 

[uncleof6]

Again, DO NOT use a sealant or lubricant on a bulkhead fitting--for any reason. How much clearer does it need to be?