Is there any way to change a bulkhead, w/o draining tank?

[michael stern]

Title pretty much says it all.

When setting up my closed loop, I accidently cracked on of the lower bulkheads in the back of my tank. It is currently plugged from the inside. Is there any way to replace it, w/o draining about 350 gallons of water? The crack is on the treaded pipe that goes through the tank.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

 

[joseney21]

you could probably get have someone plug the hole with something while you replace the bulkhead.you will still have some water gushing or leaking out.

 

[DEEPWATER]

do have an overflow ,,or just drilled from the back ,,,

 

[pecan2phat]

Micheal,
Pretty much no due to the need of getting to both sides of the glass when removing or installing a bulkhead.
Always try to use sched 80 bulkheads in the future, they're pretty hard to crack from over tightening.

 

[jhale]

sorry Michael, pecans right.

you need both sides available to unscrew the sucker.

 

[zahner]

ok, maybe this is crazy, but here goes: get a clear plastic container and place the new bulkhead in it. place the container inside the tank and cover the old bulkhead. drain the water that is trapped in the container out of the back of the tank and unscrew the old bulkhead, let the in tank part fall into the bucket. reach thru the hole in the tank with a coat hanger or something and pull the new bulkhead into place and attach.

of course this assumes that there is nothing covering the bulkhead inside the tank and that the nut is outside the tank. here is a picture.

hope this helps

 

[John]

and what happens if he breaks the seal with the container and freaks out? Will you be going over to help him clean up the mess? heh

 

[bad coffee]

just have a bunch of towels ready. I think that idea would work actually, as long as you can get the bulkead back into the hole.

B

 

[zahner]

and what happens if he breaks the seal with the container and freaks out? Will you be going over to help him clean up the mess? heh

hehehe, tks for pointing out that if you break the seal on your improvised caisson and you are by yourself, you will find yourself re-creating a scene from Das Boot. i can't take any responsibility for flooded floors....
that being said, this is not a one person job. i would want at least two other ppl with me, one to hold that container and monitor the seal and one to take pictures of the success/failure and help with spill control. i would also have on hand a very large garbage can or similar vessel as well as some manner of emergency plug to stop the leak until the container can be placed back over the hole. i would also do a couple of dry runs and practice pulling the new bulkhead into the hole from behind the tank. it would make a neat d.i.y thread imo

 

[michael stern]

Finally sucked it up!

Well, I finally did it.

350 gallons water into basement, bulkhead replaced, 350 gallons back in.

So far, not a drip!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[zahner]

i take it that you opted to drain the tank? when i saw the first line "350 gallons water into basement" i thought Ohhhhhhhhhh crap!!!

glad that it worked out ok

 

[michael stern]

I guess I should have been clearer. 350 gallons of water, into garbage cans, in the basement.

Thanks

 

[zahner]

lol that sounds much better !

 

[spykes]

that's alot of garbage cans