Stolireef Reborn -- Rebuild Thread

the black sch 40 bulkheads are pretty flimsy, but so much cheaper. Just had to replace one meself. Anything that would be disasterous if it broke, ie pump/pressure/return side, go for the sch 80 and avoid the nightmare.
 
Elliott said:
if you remove the bulkhead then you are left with a chamber with a hole at the bottom. Place a bucket under the hole, place a pump in the bucket with a hose going to your sink. Get your garden hose and run water into the chamber, then continuously pump the water from the bucket to the sink. Run water continuously until clean.

You can use a long handle brush to clean the bottom as water is running through
Click to expand...

This sounds like a plan. Now, if I just had your long arms (I was going to crack a primate joke here but let it go), it would be really easy.

I'm also wondering, since I'm replacing one bulkhead, if I should just bite the bullet and replace the return bulkhead as well.

I'm also now considering whether I should hard plumb my return pump. I like the idea of getting the heat out of the water column but it does add to the footprint in the stand. Then again, that's a fun decision to work on (as opposed to the stupid leak).
 
frogg21 said:
the black sch 40 bulkheads are pretty flimsy, but so much cheaper. Just had to replace one meself. Anything that would be disasterous if it broke, ie pump/pressure/return side, go for the sch 80 and avoid the nightmare.
Click to expand...

Do you know if any of the LFS's here sell the schedule 80 bulkheads?
 
Stolireef said:
This sounds like a plan. Now, if I just had your long arms (I was going to crack a primate joke here but let it go), it would be really easy.

I'm also wondering, since I'm replacing one bulkhead, if I should just bite the bullet and replace the return bulkhead as well.

I'm also now considering whether I should hard plumb my return pump. I like the idea of getting the heat out of the water column but it does add to the footprint in the stand. Then again, that's a fun decision to work on (as opposed to the stupid leak).
Click to expand...

hey, I can come by and see if I can reach it, just let me know

I would only use sch 80 bulkheads, can order online if needed
 
Most likely your leemar tank is drilled for sch 40 bulk heads. You will not be able to fit sch 80 bulk heads in you overflow. Sch 80 bulk heads are used for closed loop systems or big nasty tanks like Elliott's. In an overflow box there is only pressure of 4 or 5 gallons so there is no need for sch 80.
 
m-six hundred said:
Most likely your leemar tank is drilled for sch 40 bulk heads. You will not be able to fit sch 80 bulk heads in you overflow. Sch 80 bulk heads are used for closed loop systems or big nasty tanks like Elliott's. In an overflow box there is only pressure of 4 or 5 gallons so there is no need for sch 80.
Click to expand...

good point, I didn't think of that :confused:
 
IME 99.9 percent of bulkhead leaks come from one grain of sand under the gasket. I would do as Elliot suggested and clean that overflow first then clean the bulkhead gasket and try again. If it doesnt work you have to get another bulkhead. Just FYI ocean floor carries both 40 and 80 bulkheads. But i dont see a reason for 80's ever even in mega systems.
 
xanthurum said:
IME 99.9 percent of bulkhead leaks come from one grain of sand under the gasket. I would do as Elliot suggested and clean that overflow first then clean the bulkhead gasket and try again. If it doesnt work you have to get another bulkhead. Just FYI ocean floor carries both 40 and 80 bulkheads. But i dont see a reason for 80's ever even in mega systems.
Click to expand...

I'm certain that is precisely what happened when I jiggled the bulkhead to remove the sump. This is my upcoming weekend project. Joys.
 
Must be bad luck. I yanked the old bulkhead, cleaned the overflow (that was a load of fun). Then, I started calling around for a new one. Should be vanilla icecream standard for a 2.5 inch hole. Only place that had one was AA. So yesterday, an hour or so of driving later, I get home with the new bulkhead and, of course, family decides to drop by. This morning, I get up bright and early to start the install. Get everything crystal clean and put it all together...

Wait for it...

It leaks. Pull the thing apart again only to notice that the flange is defective (looks like a small ridge in the plastic from the injection mold). So, back to square one looking for a new bulkhead. MD carries them but it's an extra 5 bucks for shipping (even standard). Not a big deal money wise but it still ****es me off!!!!

I swear I'm just going to install the old one and use Marshmallow Fluff to seal it (worked really well on my kitchen sink in college housing).
 
Three cheers for Ocean Floor. They had the bulkhead. Another hour of driving and 10 bucks and it's not leaking!!!!:bounce1::bounce1::beer::beer:

With a bit of luck, plumbing will be complete tonight and let the real water testing start tomorrow.
 
uploadfromtaptalk1393807502018.jpg It's not beautiful but it doesn't leak and can be shut off easily. Tomorrow we plumb the return pump and start water testing.
 
I'm excited to add water but now I have to figure out how to set up my SW mixing station. It used to be next to the tank but that was a mess.

Once I add water, I'll start installing the flow pumps. As always, it's going to be about super neat wires.
 
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