Leak Help!

[brandonst878]

I am making some changes to the plumbing on my 90 gal AGA. The bottom is drilled and I noticed that there is a small leak from somewhere around the return bulk head. Any ideas about what this could be? I am able to rotate the bulkhead when I twist it so I think it might be loose. I tried to tighten the bulkhead but I only have access to the bottom piece and I have a feeling you need to hold the top piece to tighten. Any way around this, because access to the top piece is limited to none? The tank is setup and I am afraid I may have a major problem on my hands. Any thoughts.

 

[crumbletop]

Yep, it sounds like it is loose. When I tighten mine without any help around, I put something (vice grips is what I use) on the return pipe at the top of the overflow so that when I tighten the nut on the bulkhead the pipe stays put. That said, you should be able to pull down a little bit on the bulkhead and hand-tighten the nut. A big problem that happens when it gets loose like yours did, is some sand can get underneath the gasket and keep the leak going. You may have to drain the overflow, clean it out, and reinstall. Here's hoping you don't have to do that...