INstalling Bulkheads

[Pickupman66]

OK,

I got my bulkhead for the new sump and I want to make sure I install it correctly. for my understanding, the smooth side goes to the inside of the tank, and the threaded end will be on the outside. the rubber washer will also go on the inside.

I have made my sprayer bar, and have the bulkhead ready to go. just gotta get the sump from GC. also got my CL pump today. 1506 gph. I hope to install this after I move as I will still have to build the plumbing for it. will all be 1" pvc.

 

[ackerman]

Sounds about right. I also put some silicone on both sides of the gasket just to be safe.

 

[Angela Short]

I don'tknow if you got cheapo bulkheads but I did and went a little crazy on tightening them and striped one's plastic threads a dab. I siliconed it good and so far no leaks.

 

[fishdoc11]

Tighten snug but not too hard and you shouldn't need any silicone. Silicone will only complicate the process and shouldn't be needed.

 

[Pickupman66]

well, I really wanted to get it over and done with so I went and paid thru the nose at critter for one. had to pick up some salt for the move. does it really matter which side the threads are on? I would like them on the inside, but if that is not possible...

 

[crumbletop]

You want the threads on the outside. You can get ones that are threaded on the interior of the bulkhead as well as the outside. The interior is what you want to use to connect the plumbing.

I think you might be able to get a good seal with the threads on the inside, but it will be hard to make any adjustments with the bulkhead threads and nut under water. If you have any leaks at all you'd be in a bit of trouble...

Jack

 

[Angela Short]

HMM, I put my nut on the inside But I got double threaded bulkheads to do some plumbing on both sides if need be. So far no leaks. Would it matter as long as the seal was on the wet side? Just wondering...

 

[Pickupman66]

Angela,

that is what I was thinking. MIne has threads on the outside and the inside as well. I just thought it might fit better with the longer side (outside and insided threaded) to the inside ofhte sump. it will NOT be submersed unless there is a flood. really I just got it to run the water from the tank thru to be able to mount a sprayer bar. water should never reach the level it is mounted unless I get it too full and have a power outage.

 

[fishdoc11]

If you put the nut on the inside your gasket will be under your nut and in all likelyhood the gasket will bind causing a leak as you tighten.

 

[crumbletop]

Ideally, I think you would want the gasket on the "smooth" side (the side that the nut is _not_ on). Like fishdoc says, since the nut is the part that moves, the gasket can bind to the nut as it turns, buckle in spots, and cause problems. Angela used some silicone in addition to the bulkhead, so her's is probably rock-solid.

Pickupman, since yours is going to be in a dry area of the tank (high up, I assume), you could mount with threads in. Put the gasket on the outside of the tank in that case and you should be fine. If you wanted to, you could fill the sump with water to the top just to leak test the seal. You shouldn't need to worry about using silicone...

Jack

 

[Pickupman66]

Gotcha! I think that will work. I have some PVC fitting I can use to leak test it when I get it installed. smoothe on outside, then gasket, then tank wa.. then nut. I may tanke some silicone and add it round the bulkhead where it goes thru the acrylic, and then place the nut on it.

Thanks for the advice. BTW, I am drilling the hole myself as I didnt know the size when I ordered the sump. will place tape on each side of the acrylic and then use a holesaw with pilot to drill very gently.