Ranchhand02
New member
Iwas redoing some plumming to my sump and my drain line out of my tank started leaking. I have a drilled tank. How can i stop the leaking?
Help leaking bulkhead
- Thread starter Ranchhand02
- Start date
stingythingy45
New member
Check the rubber washer and see how it looks.
Make sure it's on the inside of the tank as well.
If all else fails you can lightly silicone the seal.But I don't really recommend doing that.
Make sure it's on the inside of the tank as well.
If all else fails you can lightly silicone the seal.But I don't really recommend doing that.
Ranchhand02
New member
The rubber is on the insde. it is alrught I think. Ihave had trouble with it before but it usually stops. This time it keeps on leaking
THE ROOK
New member
Only way to fix is to drain the overflow box, remove the bulkhead & clean both sides of the glass really well. You likely have salt or sand between the gasket & glass. No silicone is needed.
It's really not that bad, I've had to do it a couple of times.
Oh & make sure to only hand tighten plus 1/4 turn. Any more & the bulkheads will generally fail because they are just plastic & warp easy.
It's really not that bad, I've had to do it a couple of times.
Oh & make sure to only hand tighten plus 1/4 turn. Any more & the bulkheads will generally fail because they are just plastic & warp easy.
Ranchhand02
New member
I am thinking that I may have overtightend it when I first set the tank up. I am going to drain it tomorrow and replace the bulkhead.
Ranchhand02
New member
I think that I have it to tight. I am going to replace it.
THE ROOK
New member
I order a couple extra for each size as there only about $5.00 each online. Nothing worse than waiting 3 days for a 5.00 part. I've bumped my plumbing several times & had leaks.
I do try to limit it by using the plastic pvc hangers & also the plastic strapping with the holes. Definitely need to keep things tied up to take pressure off the bulkheads.
I do try to limit it by using the plastic pvc hangers & also the plastic strapping with the holes. Definitely need to keep things tied up to take pressure off the bulkheads.
Ranchhand02
New member
I guess they are pretty sensitive. I have had it leak in the past and i just tightened it up. i guess that was the wrong thing to do. Do you have any pics of how you run your drain line, I would like to see it. Thanks
THE ROOK
New member
No pics right now. I'll try to explain it though. I have a union about 3" below bulkhead, then a 90* elbow to a tee. One side heads to dual union ball valve & drops into the fuge. The other side heads straight over to skimmer side of the sump.
I'll try to get a pic this weekend. I'm certainly no pro, though.
I've found that when I bump the plumbing, it causes the bulkhead to angle slightly. This causes the leak. More importantly, it allows sand & salt to get between the gasket and the glass. Once that happens, tightening really does nothing but ruin the bulkhead.
I'll try to get a pic this weekend. I'm certainly no pro, though.
I've found that when I bump the plumbing, it causes the bulkhead to angle slightly. This causes the leak. More importantly, it allows sand & salt to get between the gasket and the glass. Once that happens, tightening really does nothing but ruin the bulkhead.
Ranchhand02
New member
what do you do when yours starts to leak?
Cleaning glass, bulkhead, and using a good clean gasket are all you need. There should be no pressure from your other plumbing pushing sideways on the connection.
DO NOT use any kind of silicone on any part. Once introduced, silicone will do nothing but make your life miserable. I used to do plumbing on swimming pools and hot tubs and I know what I am talking about from experience.
DO NOT use any kind of silicone on any part. Once introduced, silicone will do nothing but make your life miserable. I used to do plumbing on swimming pools and hot tubs and I know what I am talking about from experience.
Ranchhand02
New member
What exactly does the silicon do? I tried using silicon a long time ago and it did not work. I am curious.
My previous post was about the caulk.
The use of silicone grease on O-rings is not what I would do but that is me. The seal seat and the O-Ring must be kept completely clean. It is far more difficult to keep an O-Ring clean if it has grease on it. For some reason sand seems to be magnetically drawn to the stuff.
But please ignore my rant. Go on about your maintenance your own way.
The use of silicone grease on O-rings is not what I would do but that is me. The seal seat and the O-Ring must be kept completely clean. It is far more difficult to keep an O-Ring clean if it has grease on it. For some reason sand seems to be magnetically drawn to the stuff.
But please ignore my rant. Go on about your maintenance your own way.
Ranchhand02
New member
Thanks for all of the help
