Bulkhead Leaking

[JohnM]

I just noticed last night on my 155gal bow front (full of livestock) that one of the drain bulkheads is leaking. Its a slow leak (about 1 drip every 20 secs) but it needs to be fixed the best way (and fastest) possible. This discussion started on another one of my threads and I will copy some of the replies over.

if the bulk head is leaking , make sure it didnt move or isnt loose, all you have to do is turn return off and drain down the over flow box and change it out, also check to make sure the airline isnt clogged at all. you can raise the bubble level in the skimmer by twisting the outlet drain. closing it raises the bubble level, the really small bubbles should be set right at where the neck attaches to the cup and let it alone for a day or two to settle

 

[JohnM]

In reply to NYreefNoob, The tank is a 6' long tank in about a 6' 1/2" area so there is basically no room on the sides of the tank. Not sure if I would be able to get back there unless maybe if I take all the lights down and get a ladder and climb over the tank some how?

 

[JimmyR1rider]

I have fixed multiple leaks in people's tanks. Get a good angle with a set of channel locks and tighten it slowly. Do it little by little wiping the bulkhead completely dry after each step. Once you realize that it is no longer noticeably leaking go kill some time and come back to it 20 or 30 minutes later. If it hasn't leaked anymore see if you can snug it just a teeny bit more with decent pressure NOT hulk pressure- if not its obviously tight enough.

 

[JohnM]

Can I use the channel locks on the bottom of the tank only, for do I need to do it from both sides of the bulkhead?

 

[JimmyR1rider]

There's nothing to tighten or mess with on the side of the bulkhead that's in the tank. It's just a flange with a rubber gasket sandwiched between it and the glass for a seal.

The only thing to mess with is the nut. The pressure from that nut being tight is the thing that seals everything.

I hope I understood what you were asking correctly.

 

[JohnM]

Yes, that was exactly what I was asking. Thank you, I will try this soon.

 

[JimmyR1rider]

Your welcome. I would do it kind of ASAP. Once a bulkheads nut starts to loosen it can worsen rather quickly(like as in overnight sometimes).

 

[thirty6]

I had a similar issue and used a channel locks, be careful not to over tighten and take your time

 

[JohnM]

It would seem that it is fixed. Sadly I was able to tighten it about three full spins by hand (that's how loose it was) and then tightened it with the channel locks.

However I have made a decision with a lot of thinking and I have decided to just tear the whole tank down and then start over. I can't get the Nitrates down from 80 (no mater how many water changes) and the tank needs a really good cleaning. Once I rebuild it will be 100% redone and kind of excited / nervous about doing this.

 

[mbg75]

Beware of cheap bulkheads.

 

[JimmyR1rider]

If you need a hand in the re-set up let me know. I'll come over and help you out if you want.

 

[thirty6]

Good luck with rebuild

 

[JohnM]

Wait is that a pic of a cheap one?

 

[JimmyR1rider]

Wait is that a pic of a cheap one?

Yes look at the threads on the inside of the nut. They all flattened out on the most part. That's a prime example of a sub standard quality bulkhead.