Emergency Help, Bartlett, IL

[ostrow]

update? I have some bulkheads in a bag but they are at home in Oak Park and I won't be back there until after 8:30 tonight. Faster to get one from a store.

I can't believe you can't get the thing out. Are you using the standpipe that goes in the bulkhead? Have someone underneath holding the flange and turn that piece, pressing gently to the side against the inside of the bulkhead. It ought to come off...

If the fitting from the return pipe is threaded it should be easy enough to turn the bulkhead out. If slip, glue it in, then spiin it off.

 

[menard]

Man, what did u do ? U put the bulk head reverse the nut inside the overflow. Once the rubber gasket get wet it would stick and U gonna have problem unscrewing it. Do U have any sink basin wrench ? this tool is very good for any tight application..Good luck

 

[mbierzyc]

I actually took the day off work, this thing has got me way frustrated (and it's the slowest day of the month at work anyway). The nut was not coming off, so I attacked it with a dremel. After breaking 2 dremel attachments I managed to butcher the bulkhead enough to be able to crack it off with pliers.

so that's done. It's now 9:30, I called Ocean's Floor and they have a bulkhead for me, but don't open til 10:30.

I realized that I can just get a coupling for the plumbing peices that I had to cut to gain access, that'll save me some time and money. My goal is to get this done by 2pm.

 

[mbierzyc]

Menard,

I have a sink basin wrench, but it's too small for this. You got it spot on Menard, I wish i would have asked more questions before installing this. Hopefully the rest of my setup goes without a hitch.

 

[ostrow]

Call around from the list of stores at the top of the CMAS forum here. Tropiquatics, Reef Plus, there's got to be someone open earlier you could pick up a bulkhead from. Is there a Farm and Fleet near you?

 

[RRafael]

Hey Matt,

On the bright side because this is your first experience with this you learned the hard way but you learned more then just asking.....now you are the official "BULK HEAD GURU" if I ever have any questions I am comming to you now

 

[ostrow]

Hey Menard, I didn't know you had spots!

 

[mbierzyc]

alright guys, parts in hand ... i'm about to start working. and yeah, i sure learned a lot about this. hopefully attempt #2 goes without a hitch...

 

[Infinitereef]

You need this for easy access from the bottom. you can get it from Sears Hardware or swing by my place, you can borrow it.

 

[ostrow]

What the heck is that???

 

[menard]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7848969#post7848969 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ostrow
Hey Menard, I didn't know you had spots!

You mean like a Phanter Grouper ?
I think my past life I was a fish not so sure what kind though.
But I'm definetely was a fish, that is why love this hobby so much.

Huh!..:lol2:

 

[ostrow]

I think you were one of those evil-type acro crabs, the ones that destroy acros. Man I still can't get that SOB out of there.

 

[mbierzyc]

so this day off work has been mainly useless.

the 1" bulkhead that I turned over and put the gasket on the right side, is now leaking. I can tighten it, then it becomes loose again and water falls more rapidly. When it is tight, no water falls, but it's too touchy to leave that way.

i did go to ocean's floor and they had 1/4 bulkheads waiting for me. that one seems to be working fine. i'm going to make another 45minute trip and buy a 1" bulkhead.

am i just awful at this??

if i can't get this done with my new bulkhead you can expect an "everything for sale, out of the hobby" thread. this is too frustrating.

 

[ostrow]

1/4"

This is confusing to me. You started out saying either 3/4 or 1". You need the right size bulkhead in the right size hole. Also, once it is tight it should stay tight.

When you say that you turned it over and put the gasket on the right side I wonder where it is now. Hopefully, the threads and nut are underneath the tand, the gasket and flange are inside. If that's the case, it should not spin after you tighten it.

But I don't know what you plan to do with a 1/4" bulkhead. If that's what is in there, yes, I would imagine it would leak.

 

[mbierzyc]

Sorry, typo. The bulkhead that now works is the * 3/4" bulkhead that I bought today. I just returned from Advanced Aquatics (closest to my house) with a new 1" bulkhead. If I honestly can't get this one to work I'll assume that the 12+ hours I put in on this were a loss, and maybe hire someone to do it. If not that, everything will be for sale.

 

[ostrow]

As most here know, I had a week of terrible, terrible luck during my upgrade last summer. I can come and try to help out if you need it. Email me and we can exchange phone numbers. You are far though and I am busy tonight.

Don't give up. And remember to take some breaths and keep the temper down with all that glass and water around...

Shoot me an email with your number.

 

[mbierzyc]

since i've had to cut away at plumbing a few times, plus my initial plumbing purchases ... i've been at the lowes down the street literally twice a day for the last 4 days or so.

i'm off again to buy a few more peices. the new 1" bulkhead seems to be holding water, now lets see if i can get the plumbing in place and make it all happen...

 

[Sullyman]

Matt, you'll get-r-done, the worst should be over.

 

[mbierzyc]

so guys, looks like it works now.

each bulkhead does let out one drip per every few minutes though ... not sure how to slove that.

the drip from the overflow bulkhead goes right into the sump, so not a big deal. the drip from the return bulkhead goes onto the stand, so i'll have to either find the source, or make a drip-catcher.

 

[ostrow]

My guess is that the glass under the gasket was wet, preventing a good seal.

Or, the fitting is not screwed in far enough into the bulkhead. Where exactly are the drips coming from? You really want that to be dry...