griss' Tank Upgrade Thread

[Uncle99]

it’s not what expected, usually just a hole in the glass.
It looks like bulkhead in the glass hole with a seal (so could leak from that) then the standpipe (which needs a gasket as well) is held in place with the nut. Is that what you see?

If any of that is true, which one is leaking, from stand pipe onto that second contraption then out through the glass or just that second contraption.

I’d replace the seal on the stand pipe, put it back in and tighten nut and see if it still leaks.
If it does, it’s not the standpipe.

 

[Uncle99]

There one on all three pipes. Makes me think it might be some kind of gasket that they siliconed in place????

No your right, that’s to good for DIY, that looks like the design. Typically, a bulkhead would go directly to the glass with a seal on the wet side.

 

[griss]

it’s not what expected, usually just a hole in the glass.
It looks like bulkhead in the glass hole with a seal (so could leak from that) then the standpipe (which needs a gasket as well) is held in place with the nut. Is that what you see?

If any of that is true, which one is leaking, from stand pipe onto that second contraption then out through the glass or just that second contraption.

I’d replace the seal on the stand pipe, put it back in and tighten nut and see if it still leaks.
If it does, it’s not the standpipe.

if I’m understanding correctly, maybe debris got between the standpipe and what your calling a bulkhead? Is that your thought. That’s kind of where I’m leaning since it was just a contact seal between that rubbery bulkhead and the bottom of the standpipe.

 

[griss]

And, once again, everyone giving ideas, thank you, thank you, thank you. A combination of all your ideas helped get the standpipe out.

 

[Uncle99]

There seems IMM two places for a leak.
So the easiest test would be to put a bulkhead seal on the standpipe to eliminate that and reinstall and test.
If it still leaks then it’s that plastic looking thing with is in the glass hole.

 

[ironwill723]

Could you get a long handled razor blade scraper in there?

 

[Uncle99]

if I’m understanding correctly, maybe debris got between the standpipe and what your calling a bulkhead? Is that your thought. That’s kind of where I’m leaning since it was just a contact seal between that rubbery bulkhead and the bottom of the standpipe.

Correct.
Iam hoping that cause that’s an easier fix
There must have been a seal on that standpipe at some time, whether gasket type or silicone.

 

[Uncle99]

Maybe they put a collar into the glass hole first, then the standpipe to the collar.
Maybe there’s some great reason for that thinking?
Just seems overkill to me.

If they drilled the right size hole, then only one location to leak, not two.

Guessing, it looks like maybe a two inch hole in glass, a reducing collar, then standpipe goes through the collar with a seal (gasket) the held on by the nut.

I’m sure mine is the same way.

 

[griss]

There seems IMM two places for a leak.
So the easiest test would be to put a bulkhead seal on the standpipe to eliminate that and reinstall and test.
If it still leaks then it’s that plastic looking thing with is in the glass hole.

@Uncle99 i think you’re right. It’s some kind of rubber bulkhead sealed to the glass. I got a better feel of it and I’m convinced it’s rubber, not silicone. Maybe someone, at some point, put a bit of silicone between the glass and threads of the pipe.

I’ve got the this coming tomorrow so, I’ll fashion a gasket out of it and try that.

 

[griss]

In the meantime, I’m going to clean the bulkhead and standpipe contact points as best I can, put it back together and leak test again.

 

[bandsaw2]

Does the pipe slide in and out now? If not I would think you"ll need to clean that out. Use an x-acto knife. Then try tightening it with a gasket.

 

[griss]

If that and the gasket material don’t work, it might be time to call on…
lol

 

[griss]

Does the pipe slide in and out now? If not I would think you"ll need to clean that out. Use an x-acto knife. Then try tightening it with a gasket.

Good call. Haven’t used my x-acto in years, hope o still have it.

 

[griss]

Could you get a long handled razor blade scraper in there?

Maybe, I’d have to get one.

 

[ironwill723]

So looking at the pictures again that definitely, at least to me, looks like they used silicone around the hole and then placed a rubber gasket on top and compressed it with the diy bulkhead.

 

[Uncle99]

And, once again, everyone giving ideas, thank you, thank you, thank you. A combination of all your ideas helped get the standpipe out.

You’re definitely moving forward.
I’m learning a ton.
Maybe 1 day I have the same issue.

 

[ironwill723]

Looks like one of these no?

 

[Uncle99]

I can “see” anything wrong with the collar in the glass.
If we could plug the hole, we could test for leaks before the stand pipe goes in.

Alternatively, put a proper seal on that standpipe, reinstall, and check.
This will tell you which is leaking.

 

[Uncle99]

@Uncle99 i think you’re right. It’s some kind of rubber bulkhead sealed to the glass. I got a better feel of it and I’m convinced it’s rubber, not silicone. Maybe someone, at some point, put a bit of silicone between the glass and threads of the pipe.

I’ve got the this coming tomorrow so, I’ll fashion a gasket out of it and try that.

That’s perfect.
Keep us posted.
Almost there.
And done right.

 

[griss]

So looking at the pictures again that definitely, at least to me, looks like they used silicone around the hole and then placed a rubber gasket on top and compressed it with the diy bulkhead.

So looking at the pictures again that definitely, at least to me, looks like they used silicone around the hole and then placed a rubber gasket on top and compressed it with the diy bulkhead.

Very well could be.

Looks like one of these no?

It’s about 1/4-1/2” wide, so a bit wider than that.

I cleaned and dried the weir and bulkhead/gasket really well. I’m going to clean the silicone out of the hole as @bandsaw2 the pipe will not slide freely in the hole but can be screwed in