how tight should a bulk head be?

[robojet]

Enjoy +1

 

[Mcain Bwood]

i drained some tank water and unscrewed my bulkhead and found the glass around the inside of the tank where the bulkhead fits is a little warped looking possibly from the initial cut of the whole. this may be causing my leak problem. the glass around the cut is not flat but uneven around the edges of the hole.. Not sure if a new bulkhead will even do the trick? any advice?

 

[Enjoy]

If that is the case, and it is a new tank, make the manufacture fix the problem.
If it is a used tank, then this is a case where you might try silicone. Dont fix it if it ain't broke; But do fix it, if it is broke!

Or possibly add an additional gromit/o-ring to the bulkhead giving it more rubber to squish into the void. Good luck.

 

[GTR]

I don't think rough edges at the hole would cause a leak. If you look at the bulkhead you can see where the gasket should make contact. It's mostly towards the outer edges.

 

[Mcain Bwood]

the outer edges are where the inconsistency is. It is used by the way. The plastic ring is fairly old but i cannot replace the ring without destroying the bulkhead. errrr

 

[npsossi@msn.com]

I think all you need is to hand tighten and no sealant other than the washer.

 

[Mcain Bwood]

you mean remove the plastic ring? and just tighten the bulkhead by hand??

 

[Reefbox]

I take the gasket out throw it away. Add silicone to the underside lip of the bulkhead. Hand tighten to not squeeze out all silicone. Works great and I've done it many times.

 

[Mcain Bwood]

underside meaning the inside or outside of the tank?

 

[Enjoy]

underside meaning the inside or outside of the tank?

I would assume he means inside of the tank.
Which still does not seem like the best solution for your typical bulk head installment, but in a situation where you gotta think outta the box and make it work. Do what you gotta do. :bigeyes:

 

[Reefbox]

I add the silicone inside the tank.

Those rubber gaskets for me seem to always need a little extra hand tightening and it is not always ez for me to get back behind a tank to hand tighten a bulkhead.

 

[shapermike]

I have heard of a number of people using silicone to make the seal better. I believe it is easily removed later as well.

that is what I did not my 300 gal tank. I use a little silicone on the gasket and I have never had a leak. I have dont this on 5 tanks and had good luck

 

[boodlefish]

sharkE how did it go? leaks, no leaks?

 

[ChrisKirkland]

If the hole in the tank is properly cut then hand tighten. Don't use tools because you will destroy the gasket