Help please!! Bulk head question

[FishGuy5]

I have a bulk head in the sump for a return. 4 questions:

1) Does the gasket go on the inside-water side? (I say "yes)

2) Should the gasket be "lubed" up with anything? What?

3) Any advantage to using gaskets on both sides? Would it help?

4) Hand tighten, or can I put a wrench to it "carefully"?

Thanks for the help. Those of you who know me know that I am not mechanical or handy at all.

 

[bored4long]

Here are my answers, John:
1 Yes
2 I use food grade silicone grease, but I think the majority use nothing
3 A second gasket may help, but shouldn't be required
4 Hand tighten, any tighter may crack your tank due to unequal stress (remember those threads are not on an equal plane to the tank, so stress is being applied unevenly).

My opinion is if you are getting a leak from a bulkhead with the gasket on the wet side, then replace the gasket if its old, or add some lube that will not harm the tank inhabitants.

 

[wpnorton]

I've ended up using a gasket on both sides. It helps relieve that uneven pressure and doubles the leak protection. This is only if you have a flat dry side surface. Some bulkheads have raised lateral bars against the dry side surface. A dry side gasket on one of these is not going to work. In that case, drain teh sump and supplement the gasket with silicone and let setup for a few hours (A fan will speed up the process) before refilling.

 

[P.Kelly]

Not sure if it maters, but John's sump is 1/4" acrylic.

 

[Brian Prestwood]

The gasket goes against the flange, not the bolt. The flange is normally inside the tank but it can be mounted outside. Putting an gasket on the side of the bolt is a waste of time from a leak perspective. They won't stop water. Also, they tend to make it harder to tighten the bolt. Some bulkheads come w/ a rubber gasket and a high density cardboard one. The carboard gasket goes on the bolt side to make it easier to turn as it tightens and to make it seat evenly.

If you do mount the bulkhead with the threads on the inside they will get growth on them. So, don't do this unless you have an overriding need to.

 

[bored4long]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12158739#post12158739 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Brian Prestwood
Also, they tend to make it harder to tighten the bolt.

This is a very valid point. Its damn hard to effectively tighten when the gasket is on the nut side.

 

[P.Kelly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12158739#post12158739 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Brian Prestwood
If you do mount the bulkhead with the threads on the inside they will get growth on them. So, don't do this unless you have an overriding need to.

He does and did.