zoo tank issue

[drbronx]

I was just contacted by the head curator at the zoo. Apparently one or more of the bulkheads are leaking causing salinity to drop. They contacted Nate who correctly advised them to stop the RO/DI flow until we get the problem corrected. I advised the zoo to slowly raise salinity by adding in slightly concentrated saltwater until they have re-established good salinity levels.

Does any one have a bulkhead tightener ? (I know Adam does but I'm not sure if he is around). Are there other ways to safely tighten a bulhead? Please respond ASAP since apparently the leak is becoming fairly substantial. I can meet someone at the zoo one of these evenings if someone has time to help address this.

Thanx!

 

[RyanEG]

An oil filter wrench works good Doc. Not the strap kind the grip type.

 

[drbronx]

Thanks Ryan...that's good to know. I may have to try that. BTW, I love your avatar

 

[drbronx]

Adam (Piazzon) has the tool but is out of town until Tuesday. I asked the zoo to attempt to gently tighten the bulkheads with either an oil filter wrench (thanks RyanEG) or a plumber's wrench. We'll see what happens.

 

[drbronx]

The zoo staff is very nervous about trying this on their own for fear of destroying the display. Is there anyone available with a plumbing or other suitable wrench that can be available to give me a hand with this? Unfortunately, most of my tools are socked away in a packed storage room and inaccessible. Of course I could buy on if need be. Or perhaps the zoo has one.

 

[Neoz]

Jerry I'm all tied up tomorrow but I can give you a hand on Saturday. Let me know what way you go...

 

[oceanparadise1]

I have a bulk head tool no car this weekend you can stop bye if you want!

 

[drbronx]

Thanks you guys: Nate and I will head over to the zoo Saturday morning and just use channel locks to tighten up the bulkheads. I should order a bulkhead tightener for the zoo to have on hand for the future. Who sells those?

Neoz: If you want to see the zoo tank, you are welcome to come along. It will probably be around 10 or 11 (awaiting definitive word from Nate).

 

[Neoz]

I plan attending if thats not a problem. I'll send you a pm...

 

[pimpinitup6969]

Hey Jerry im going to be in vestal on sat morning to drop some stuff off to frank and maura. I wouldnt mind checking out the zoo tank if thats possible? send me a pm with your # if its ok!

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15448684#post15448684 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drbronx
I should order a bulkhead tightener for the zoo to have on hand for the future. Who sells those?

good question.
waiting to see responses (if any)

 

[drbronx]

Nate and I should be up at the reef tank at about 11 for any one who wants to meet up there. Sometimes, Nate is a wee bit slow out of the gate so wait for us if we are not there exactly at 11.

 

[drbronx]

So we went to the zoo with the expectation that fter a few minutes of tightening bulkheads, we'd be out of there. No such luck. After Nate attempted to tighten one bulkhead, the leak became worse. We wound up having to go back to nate's house where miraculously, he produced a 3/4 inch bulkhead. The only problem was it was threaded whereas the original was slip. However, Nate brilliantly designed a replacement return section out of spare parts he had laying around and after an anxious wait, we turned on the main pump and voila! No drips, no spills no errors. Nate is the man with the plan when it comes to plumbing pvc as well as many other things. So a big thanks to Nate as well as to Dave (Neoz) for helping out as well.

I'd still love to know where to get a bulkhead tightener. Maybe Adam wil chime in when he gets back from Portland, Or.

 

[thepircs]

I would have helped but I am out in the Pacific again.

How are the inhabitants of the systems doing?

Dave

 

[Piazzon12]

The wrench came with my 120, which I bought used. I believe it came with the overflow kit. I've never seen them for sale

 

[03Mach]

I'm not sure what type of wrench you guys are looking for, but a few plumbers I know use spanner wrenches for these types of applications. However as I'm sure most people know bulkheads should only be hand tight + 1/4 turn more. Nice adjustable spanner:
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/1APC4 .

 

[drbronx]

Thanks for the link Jeremy. Seems to be a bit pricey however. Regular plumber's channel lock wrenches seem to do fine but as you point out, you must be careful not to overtighten and bust the bulkhead. I guess its a matter of "feel".

By the way Dave (Pirc): Being thousands of miles a way in the middle of the ocean is a pretty thin excuse to not show up at the zoo

 

[pimpinitup6969]

Jerry you can buy a span wrench for like 15 bucks at lowes, home depot, etc.