Question on 100 gallon rubbermaid stock tank--factory bulkhead leaking

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basssnake

New member
I am working on a new setup and i am using a 100 gallon rubbermaid plastic stock tank for a sump. It has their factory bulkhead in the bottom. It has a rubber gasket on the inside and on the outside. When i got the thing, after i got home, I noticed the outside gasket was sticking out on one side, so i loosened the nut and got it mostly back flat and under the nut and then retightened as much as i could. Now i have it all plumbed and put water in and now it is leaking. It is dripping out of the threads(the threads that the nut goes on for the bulkhead, not the threads that holds the plug that plugs the hole on the bulkhead).

I tried loosening thinking maybe it was to tight, but then it leaks between the nut and the rubber gasket(the one on the outside of the tank). I tried going the other way, tightening it, but it won't quit leaking out the threads(that the nut goes on). Please help, i don't know what to do.....
 
Please i need some help here. It is leaking as i type this. I don't know what to do. The inside of the factory installed bulkhead is square(the part that sits against the rubber seal) and one corner appears to be touching a lip on the tub. Could it be that it is causing it to have a gap there and not allowing pressure at that part of the rubber seal?
 
So, what will the vaseline do? Will it hurt the water? I guess i would have to drain it to do that right? Does everything need to be dry?

Is there anything else i can do? I have a post above that may be of help for someone to give some advice as well.
 
These bulkheads are a pain and it's not easy to find a regular bulkhead that will fit that spot.

There shouldn't be an outside gasket even though they always sell them with it. All that gasket does is prevent you from being able to tighten the nut properly against the tank. You only need the inside gasket and then you'll be able to sufficiently tighten the outside nut against the tank, properly sealing the interior flange against the tank with the interior gasket.
 
So, do i remove the water and then remove the bulkhead and take out the factory gasket that sits behind the nut? So, this will ensure that i will be able to get it to stop leaking most likely?
 
Anyone else have any input?? I think IFlint has the right idea, but i open to any other suggestions. Does anyone have one of these tanks that had the same problem?
 
Take it out and put in a 1-1/4 sch 80 thread to thread bulkhead with plugs in it. Works like a charm. And you can use the bulkhead if you need to.
 
Where do you get one of those? Do they sell them at home depot? No one local has any bulkheads. So, have you done the same thing to one of the rubbermaid stock tanks? I also plan to put a 5 inch sand bed in the bottom of this tank so it is going to be covering the bulkhead, is that a bad idea? So, the original bulkhead in that tank won't work if i take the gasket between the nut and tank out and only have the gasket on the inside of the tank?
 
Where is the bulkhead on the stock tanks located? If its near the surface of the water you won't have to drain the entire sump. Anyway drain the water below the bulkhead then take it off, remove the outer gasket and save it for backup then apply teflon lube (or vaseline if there isn't a spa/pool supply nearby they might also have bulkheads) to both sides of the inside gasket and then reinstall and tighten bulkhead. If this doesn't work go with the sch80 bulkhead idea.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13250862#post13250862 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rustylugnuts
Where is the bulkhead on the stock tanks located?...
Click to expand...

Heh. The only way the bulkhead could be any lower is if it was mounted into the bottom of the tank. So, yes, you need to drain the whole thing. Before you do, just make sure you don't have it too tight; try loosening it just a bit to see if it still leaks. It's probably too late for the gasket to go back into shape but it certainly won't hurt to try.
 
Well, I have drained the water. JPA says that he has never been able to get the factory bulkheads in these Rubbermaid stock tanks to seal for good. He says that they always end up leaking sooner or later.

Anyone else that has had this experience with these factory installed bulkheads in these tanks? I am thinking that replacing the bulkhead like JPA said might be the thing to do. Do you have to use a schedule 80 1 1/4"(supposed to fit a hole of 2 3/8) or can you use a normal 1 1/2 " bulkhead(supposed to be for a 2 3/8" hole as well). JPA recommended the shedule 80, but i didn't get a chance to ask him about the regular bulkhead.

I will be having a deep sand bed in there and it will be covering the bulkhead. I really don't want it to ever go bad, or is the sandbed deep enough to cover it a bad idea? I just want a deep sandbed due to the nitrate reduction benefits. Please let me know on all this........
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13249684#post13249684 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JPA
Take it out and put in a 1-1/4 sch 80 thread to thread bulkhead with plugs in it. Works like a charm. And you can use the bulkhead if you need to.
Click to expand...

JPA is right on. It's pretty much a fact that the bulkheads on those stock tanks need replaced for our uses. Savko has the bulkheads you need.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13252597#post13252597 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by basssnake


Anyone else that has had this experience with these factory installed bulkheads in these tanks? I am thinking that replacing the bulkhead like JPA said might be the thing to do. Do you have to use a schedule 80 1 1/4"(supposed to fit a hole of 2 3/8) or can you use a normal 1 1/2 " bulkhead(supposed to be for a 2 3/8" hole as well). JPA recommended the shedule 80, but i didn't get a chance to ask him about the regular bulkhead.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure about the Sch40 1.5" I've only used the 1-1/4" sch80. If they are the same OD I would think it would work. I just try to use Sch80 where possible.

Thanks,
Joe
 
I have 2, 150's and a 100 of the rumbermaids you are talking about. On the 150 I ran my pump straight through the bulkhead that comes with it so it sucked straight from the tub. It did leak a little but I used the PVC snorkel method so I didn't have to drain the entire tub and just used blue PVC cement all around the outer part of the bulkhead and that stopped the leak. The other 2 tubs haven't had any leaks yet and it's been several years. Good luck.
 
Maybe they changed the hole size on mine? I pulled the old one and measured the hole and it showed to be 2" in diameter. The 1 1/4" bulkhead shows to need a 2 3/8" hole. I have a 1 1/2" normal bulkhead and it needs a 2 3/8 hole like the 1 1/4" hole and it is to big to go in the hole. Now i am confused.....i did just make a order from savko and told them the hole size and they said it would need a 1 inch schedule 80. I am confused now. If i need to order something different i need to call them asap....


quote:
 
Like "Spareparts" said, silicone sealer doesn't leak. put a good bead on instead of the inside gasket tighten it only enough to to evenly spread the silicon under the lip, wait 24-36 hours and then tighten it up.
 
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