New Tank All Bulkheads Leaking

JaySchulz · 02/18/2018, 02:13 PM

Filled the tank up for the first time today to test the tank, plumbing, etc.

Tank has ghost overflow set up with BeanAnimal plumbing. There are 3 pass through holes to connect the back box. All 3 bulkheads are leaking. I only hand tightened them as I didn’t want to overtighten. Do you think this is my problem. Maybe a 1/4 inch turn with a wrench? Gaskets are between inside of overflow box and nut of bulkhead.

JaySchulz · 02/18/2018, 02:30 PM

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Whiskylen · 02/18/2018, 02:30 PM

The gaskets need to be between the overflow box and the tank

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Whiskylen · 02/18/2018, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiskylen

The gaskets need to be between the overflow box and the tank

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Actually my bad should be on the outside of tank unless you use a double gasket between the tank and overflow then overflow and bulkhead

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JaySchulz · 02/18/2018, 02:40 PM

Ok I have a gasket at number 1 and number 3

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GQuinn · 02/18/2018, 02:41 PM

You need one at 1 and 2. Number 2 is between the outside of the tank the overflow box.

lagatbezan · 02/18/2018, 03:07 PM

Gasket should always be on the flange side and not the nut.
I usually put a little bit of Vaseline between the gasket and the surface and then tighten the bulkhead down. This will give you a nice tight seal.

Dross · 02/18/2018, 03:09 PM

Agree with 1 and 2. The gasket at 3 on the nut does not do anything for you as the water can just pass between the threads and the nut and exit between the overflow box and the tank.

ca1ore · 02/18/2018, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaySchulz

Ok I have a gasket at number 1 and number 3

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Looks like the new modular marine overflow with the removable internal skim box? If so, and ironically, position #2 in your diagram is the critical place for a gasket. Positions 1 and 3 are really just optional.

Jazeel55 · 02/18/2018, 03:16 PM

A few grain of sand can make it leak

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JaySchulz · 02/18/2018, 03:53 PM

Alright looks like I’m getting wet lol

JaySchulz · 02/18/2018, 04:37 PM

Thanks guys. Hopefully problem solved. My wife thought my complaining about it being cold was funny so she took some pictures.

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HBtank · 02/18/2018, 05:19 PM

Lol

ifarmer · 02/18/2018, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaySchulz

Ok I have a gasket at number 1 and number 3

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1 and 3 is adequate.
Having 2 does not hurt either just not necessary
What you have now is good and maybe you did not tight them enought that is why i think you have the leak.
Just so you know you can be fine with just 1 and 3.

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JaySchulz · 02/18/2018, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ifarmer

You only need 1 and 3 only.
Having 2 does not hurt either just not necessary
Again. Only 1 and 3

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1 & 3 is what I originally had. I moved 3 to 2 and now there’s no more leaks.

Well no more leaks at the bulkheads. I have one drain that is leaking down by the sump where I glued to pieces of pvc together.

ifarmer · 02/18/2018, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaySchulz

1 & 3 is what I originally had. I moved 3 to 2 and now there’s no more leaks.

Well no more leaks at the bulkheads. I have one drain that is leaking down by the sump where I glued to pieces of pvc together.

If you move 3 to 2 then you will have leak at the overflow box (soon or later). You dont want water to leave the overflow box.

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LQT · 02/18/2018, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ifarmer

If you move 3 to 2 then you will have leak at the overflow box (soon or later). You dont want water to leave the overflow box.

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Actually, having the gasket at 3 is where the leak is coming from. Putting a gasket on the nut side of a bulkhead is useless as water is still seeping through the nut/bulkhead thread interface, hence the OP’s leaks, which was emanating from the exterior box.

jamie1981 · 02/18/2018, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ifarmer

1 and 3 is adequate.
Having 2 does not hurt either just not necessary
what you have now is good and maybe you did not tight them enought that is why i think you have the leak.
Just so you know you can be fine with just 1 and 3.

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wrong! Gasket 3 does nothing #2 is the critical one that is your seal between the tank and overflow box.

jamie1981 · 02/18/2018, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ifarmer

If you move 3 to 2 then you will have leak at the overflow box (soon or later). You dont want water to leave the overflow box.

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Actually no you won't

#2 is your seal all the way around your bulkhead between the tank and overflow. Any water that gets around the bulkhead between the tank and overflow will not be able to seep out.

The best seal is to lube the o-ring with some Vaseline or better silicon o-ring lube, this will insure a good watertight seal.

ca1ore · 02/18/2018, 10:22 PM

This may be a stupid question, but what will you do if you have to service the overflow once the tank is full of rocks and coral?

JaySchulz · 02/18/2018, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

This may be a stupid question, but what will you do if you have to service the overflow once the tank is full of rocks and coral?

Not a stupid question at all because it’s one of many things that will be difficult to do with the tanks footprint and no fish room behind. Ive got two options. Arrange my rocks so that they are not on the back wall and if the scenario comes that I need to service, I’ll step into the tank like I did today. Option 2 is cut through the wall behind the tank and make an access door. It’s my wife’s closet and I could service it easier that way. I tried to make her closet my fish room and give her my smaller closet but she didn’t go for that.

Yogre · 02/19/2018, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaySchulz

I tried to make her closet my fish room and give her my smaller closet but she didn’t go for that.

I can't imagine why.

If I had tried that my wife would have smothered me with my pillow.

billdogg · 02/19/2018, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaySchulz

I tried to make her closet my fish room and give her my smaller closet but she didn’t go for that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yogre

I can't imagine why.

If I had tried that my wife would have smothered me with my pillow.

Do like I did and wait for her to leave for a couple days! I ended up with extra electrical outlets and running water to the sump with a remote control switch.

and +1 to a very small amount of silicone plumbers grease (NOT vaseline! it is, after all, petroleum jelly!) Use just enough to make the gasket shiny - no globs!

Modular Marine · 02/24/2018, 03:25 AM

Wish I had seen this thread sooner Jay; as others have already answered the question, spot #2 is the only place you need a gasket for this overflow. Glad to see the tank with water in it though! If you have any more questions feel free to contact us directly

Bent · 02/24/2018, 06:58 AM

Good god I want a tank that big...

And a place to put it.

02/18/2018, 02:13 PM	#1
JaySchulz Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 440	New Tank All Bulkheads Leaking Filled the tank up for the first time today to test the tank, plumbing, etc. Tank has ghost overflow set up with BeanAnimal plumbing. There are 3 pass through holes to connect the back box. All 3 bulkheads are leaking. I only hand tightened them as I didn’t want to overtighten. Do you think this is my problem. Maybe a 1/4 inch turn with a wrench? Gaskets are between inside of overflow box and nut of bulkhead.

02/18/2018, 03:07 PM	#7
lagatbezan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,109	Gasket should always be on the flange side and not the nut. I usually put a little bit of Vaseline between the gasket and the surface and then tighten the bulkhead down. This will give you a nice tight seal. __________________ Ryan. 300g with velocity t4 for return and a Reflo dart on a closed loop, T5 lights & SRO3000 skimmer. Current Tank Info: 300g Last edited by lagatbezan; 02/18/2018 at 03:59 PM.

02/18/2018, 04:37 PM	#12
JaySchulz Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 440	New Tank All Bulkheads Leaking Thanks guys. Hopefully problem solved. My wife thought my complaining about it being cold was funny so she took some pictures. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

02/18/2018, 05:19 PM	#13
HBtank Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 2,957	Lol __________________ 80g Aiptasia dominated reef tank.. with fish and now a bunch of berghia! Current Tank Info: 80g tank, re-starting a reef after a zoanthid nudibranch plauge, followed by months of steady and unstoppable STN/RTN, crashed; stayed FOWLR for a couple years, currently an aiptasia dominated reef tank with fishies and BERGHIA

02/18/2018, 10:22 PM	#20
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	This may be a stupid question, but what will you do if you have to service the overflow once the tank is full of rocks and coral? __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

02/18/2018, 02:30 PM	#2
JaySchulz Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 440	Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

02/18/2018, 02:30 PM	#3
Whiskylen Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 56	The gaskets need to be between the overflow box and the tank Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

02/18/2018, 02:40 PM	#5
JaySchulz Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 440	Ok I have a gasket at number 1 and number 3 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

02/18/2018, 02:41 PM	#6
GQuinn Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 982	You need one at 1 and 2. Number 2 is between the outside of the tank the overflow box.

02/18/2018, 03:09 PM	#8
Dross Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 44	Agree with 1 and 2. The gasket at 3 on the nut does not do anything for you as the water can just pass between the threads and the nut and exit between the overflow box and the tank.

02/18/2018, 03:16 PM	#10
Jazeel55 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 68	A few grain of sand can make it leak Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

02/18/2018, 03:53 PM	#11
JaySchulz Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 440	Alright looks like I’m getting wet lol

02/24/2018, 03:25 AM	#24
Modular Marine Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 11	Wish I had seen this thread sooner Jay; as others have already answered the question, spot #2 is the only place you need a gasket for this overflow. Glad to see the tank with water in it though! If you have any more questions feel free to contact us directly

02/24/2018, 06:58 AM	#25
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	Good god I want a tank that big... And a place to put it. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump