Leaking Bulkhead!

KingPringles · 03/21/2018, 11:44 PM

After a few frustrating hours of plumbing my new tank upgrade, I still have a leaking bulkhead on my return pipe. New bulkhead, gasket on the water side, cleared of any sand, dried before install, no silicone/epoxy/Teflon.

Currently dripping from the outer part of the nut at 1 drop every 15-20 seconds.

Do I need to worry or is this something salt creep will correct (so I've read).

Thanks,

RobZilla04 · 03/22/2018, 04:26 AM

I would worry about and fix it. Unfortunately it is likely to get worse and worse until a disaster. It can be tricky to get that rubber gasket in just the right place. Inspect the bulkhead for any cracks or deformations. If still in doubt, grab another one. A low cost to replace vs a high cost should a disaster occur.

mcgyvr · 03/22/2018, 04:47 AM

They are also very easy to over tighten (leading to leaks)... Just hand snug then 1/4 turn is all you should need..

Julius Chen · 03/22/2018, 09:54 AM

make sure the nut is on the opposite side of the gasket.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

FoothillCorals · 03/23/2018, 07:59 AM

Do you have the gasket on the flange side or on the nut? It should be on the flange.

ca1ore · 03/23/2018, 08:06 AM

Dripping plumbing will often self seal over the course of a few days, though it depends a little on the location of the bulkhead and whether it is installed properly.

Justdrew · 03/23/2018, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingPringles

After a few frustrating hours of plumbing my new tank upgrade, I still have a leaking bulkhead on my return pipe. New bulkhead, gasket on the water side, cleared of any sand, dried before install, no silicone/epoxy/Teflon.

Currently dripping from the outer part of the nut at 1 drop every 15-20 seconds.

Do I need to worry or is this something salt creep will correct (so I've read).

Thanks,

It doesn't matter if the gasket is on the wet side or dry side, it needs be on the flange side of the bulkhead. Depending on the direction your bulkhead is installed, the gasket may end end up on the dry side of the tank if that is where the flange is.

If it was over-tightened they are very easy to crack.

KingPringles · 03/23/2018, 03:17 PM

Thanks for all the comments folks. Checked the bulkhead for moisture the past two mornings and they've been dry. Gasket seems to have settled and sealed properly. Moment of truth tonight when I get home from work and try wet running the system..

03/21/2018, 11:44 PM	#1
KingPringles Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 9	Leaking Bulkhead! After a few frustrating hours of plumbing my new tank upgrade, I still have a leaking bulkhead on my return pipe. New bulkhead, gasket on the water side, cleared of any sand, dried before install, no silicone/epoxy/Teflon. Currently dripping from the outer part of the nut at 1 drop every 15-20 seconds. Do I need to worry or is this something salt creep will correct (so I've read). Thanks,

03/22/2018, 04:26 AM	#2
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	I would worry about and fix it. Unfortunately it is likely to get worse and worse until a disaster. It can be tricky to get that rubber gasket in just the right place. Inspect the bulkhead for any cracks or deformations. If still in doubt, grab another one. A low cost to replace vs a high cost should a disaster occur. __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

03/22/2018, 04:47 AM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	They are also very easy to over tighten (leading to leaks)... Just hand snug then 1/4 turn is all you should need.. __________________ Who me?

03/23/2018, 08:06 AM	#6
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Dripping plumbing will often self seal over the course of a few days, though it depends a little on the location of the bulkhead and whether it is installed properly. __________________ 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

03/22/2018, 09:54 AM	#4
Julius Chen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Fremont, CA 94539 Posts: 173	make sure the nut is on the opposite side of the gasket. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

03/23/2018, 07:59 AM	#5
FoothillCorals Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 522	Do you have the gasket on the flange side or on the nut? It should be on the flange.

03/23/2018, 03:17 PM	#8
KingPringles Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 9	Thanks for all the comments folks. Checked the bulkhead for moisture the past two mornings and they've been dry. Gasket seems to have settled and sealed properly. Moment of truth tonight when I get home from work and try wet running the system..