Will Pay for Help!!

[mbierzyc]

I have tried unsuccessfuly three times to fix a leaky bulkhead in my new tank.

If someone would be willing to come to my house (Bartlett) and eliminate the leak I would pay them.

No idea what a fair price would be. I called Rod but he won't be around until wednesday and I don't know if he travels this far.


Any other pro service that will do this kind of thing? Anyone feel they can fix this for me?


This is my tank, I really like how it looks, but it's became very frustrating when I can't get the inside of the stand to stay dry.

Any takers?


thanks in advance.

 

[Douglas LEHMAN]

Hello
TGPM

 

[RobTop]

Where in Bartlett? I work in Hoffman Estates and might be able to swing by and help...and you don't have to pay me. What time are you at home Tuesday night?

 

[mbierzyc]

I'll be home at 6:10 or so tuesday, and every night this week.

I live at 1811 Rizzi Lane.

It's right by the interesction of Army Trail and Fair Oaks Roads.

 

[ostrow]

So, it was the bulkhead again and not the sump? That is good, and bad of course.

 

[mbierzyc]

yeah i put some tape on both the tank and the sump ... and the tank level went down, sump stayed the same.

so yeah now i can keep the stand in one peice and just need to fix the bulkhead.

but this does unforunately mean I have to drain the tank yet again.

 

[ostrow]

Unless it just needs a quarter turn? Have you figured out which one?

 

[mbierzyc]

it's the bulkhead that is on the right side of my tank. it's a 3/4" bullhead; my return to the tank.

 

[ostrow]

Next step is to make absolutely sure where the leak is from. Is the water coming from the threads where the plumbing joins the bulkhead? From between the nut and the glass? Try to identify exactly where the water is coming from if you can. Dry it all real good with paper towel and watch, with a good flashlight.

 

[mbierzyc]

I drained the tank, and it appears the leak is coming from right below the tank, and above the nut of the bulkhead. I tightened it with a wrench but that didn't fix anything.

I emailed Rod in hopes that he can come fix it for me. Can anyone else come help me out?

 

[johj26]

just take the whole thing out again and redo it if you can get a new bulkhead.imstall it again make sure tank is clean on both inside and outside reinstall bulkhead with flange and washer in tank and nut below tank if you can lubricate the gasket with faucet grease can get it at home depot or menards or vaseline will do in a pinch.if you want a good bulkhead go to mcmaster carr they sell good ones.tighten the nut to the bottom of tank till its hand tight then take channel locks tighten it a half turn that should give you a leak free connection if theres any leaking which i doubt tighten another quarter turn till it stops.if your your using a thread fitting into it make sure you wrap it a few times with a good quality teflon tape dont use the cheap stuff and if your using a slip fitting make sure you primer both inside of bulkhead and pipe and use the blue glue the wet/dry stuff slide that in and give it a quarter twist and hold it in place for 30 seconds and let it dry about a hour and you should be all good try it

 

[mbierzyc]

I'm on my second bukhead already. I used channel locks to tighten this one.

I'm really busy with work during the week, saturday I'll try this one more time on my own if I can't get Rod out here before then.

 

[johj26]

dont over tighten it follow what i said you will be good go to mcmaster.com order the bulkhead and the plumbers grease they will ship to you in one day.hand tight then half turn only with channel locks do that

 

[philagothos]

Have you tried putting silicone around the bulkhead? I've never tried it myself, but a guy at one of our meetings down south here suggested it for problematic bulkheads. He says he does it with all of his and has never had a leak. After installing the bulkhead, he puts the silicon on both the inside and outside making a nice bead all the way around. That should fix it if it is a leaky bulkhead and not a leaky pipe to bulkhead fitting.

HTH,
-Kevin

 

[mbierzyc]

actually i have silicone on both sides of this one.

i'm going to remove this, install a new one and see if that fixes it. no idea now why this one is leaking. i have tried really everything everyone has suggested.

thanks everyone for the help - lets hope i can get this.

 

[Rod Buehler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7905867#post7905867 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mbierzyc
actually i have silicone on both sides of this one.

i'm going to remove this, install a new one and see if that fixes it. no idea now why this one is leaking. i have tried really everything everyone has suggested.

thanks everyone for the help - lets hope i can get this.

putting silicone on them is a very bad idea IMO. Silicone will not bond to the rubber/plastic of the bulkhead. It would eventually break down the rubber and possibly the plastic. And most of all it will make it very difficult to get a new bulkhead installed properly (if the silicone can be COMPLETELY cleaned off).

Matt, I will reply to your email shortly.

 

[johj26]

yes silicone dont work on plastic