leaking bulkhead

rcranf1

New member
so i discovered my bulkhead was leaking while doing the leak test to setup my tank at my new house. Ive tried everything from using new bulkheads to even using silcone. tried tighting them and untighting them nothing works im still getiing about 1 drop every 3 seconds. Should i fill it and rely on the salt to seal it up? any suggestions
 
There's certainly a reason. Di you try to dry and clean the area- even with alcohol. Them when its dry as well as the o-ring dry try a sandwich with silicone on both sides of the bulkehead, wait 24-48 and test again.
 
There's certainly a reason. Di you try to dry and clean the area- even with alcohol. Them when its dry as well as the o-ring dry try a sandwich with silicone on both sides of the bulkehead, wait 24-48 and test again.

i actually did this with the whole sandwich thing and its still leaking. maybe plumbing is just not up my alley.
 
That is unusual. Seems like you've covered the basics, so, I guess time for the non basics, maybe even silly. Have you isolated whether the leak is at the bulkhead/glass junction, at the bulkhead itself, or at the bulkhead/pipe junction? Is the hole too big? Did you check for cracks on the glass? Is the nut on the outside and not on the inside? Threaded connectors can crack the bulkhead , so is it leaking at the bulkhead? Is there any torque or weight at the bulkhead that could be distorting it?
 
That is unusual. Seems like you've covered the basics, so, I guess time for the non basics, maybe even silly. Have you isolated whether the leak is at the bulkhead/glass junction, at the bulkhead itself, or at the bulkhead/pipe junction? Is the hole too big? Did you check for cracks on the glass? Is the nut on the outside and not on the inside? Threaded connectors can crack the bulkhead , so is it leaking at the bulkhead? Is there any torque or weight at the bulkhead that could be distorting it?

its leaking from where the nut tightens down on the glass. This take was up and running for 2 years with no leaky issues. the only one i remember is when i first set it up but it eventually stopped on its own. im just going to break it all back down 1 more time and may even try silcone or putty over the whole thing
 
I have had this problem before and it ended up being the bulkhead itself that had a crack in it. Once I swapped out bulkheads.........my problem was solved.
 
It is really quite unusual that it should leak at the nut/glass junction if everything is OK. Check the hole very closely. I use the "fingernail test", and run the fingernail both clockwise and counter to see if there are any cracks.

How big is the hole? Some holes are slightly bigger to accomodate a thicker/heavier grade bulkhead.

That's about all the ideas I have for you. Good luck!
 
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