Quick Plumbing Question

[E.intheC]

Thanks Jeff. I'm going to figure it out tonight. Hopefully with only one trip to the big box stores :lol2:

 

[E.intheC]

OK. I'm asking. Even if it's a simple question

What's the best way to stop a small (like 2-3 drops per hour) leak at the site of the bulkhead? It's happening on both of mine currently.

Luckily it's still in the "fresh water leak test" stage so I can fix it.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[E.intheC]

oh.. I don't want to tighten the bulkheads TOO much, and I've tried loosening and re-tightening..

The holes were drilled on my own and are the correct size.

 

[kidninja]

i had this on mine too when i first started, i used plumbers tape and that didnt fix it, then i took a closer look at the bulkhead and determined that it was stripped. so what i did was get an o-ring and then screwed on the bulkhead tight and so far no drops of water

 

[E.intheC]

you're talking about another rubber o-ring? I was thinking of that as well. I'll have to see where I can order them.

Mine doesn't look like it's stripped, but I don't see the extra o-ring causing a problem.
Thanks!

 

[trivan]

Check to see if there are any hairline cracks along the seams where the threading is. Where is the water coming from? Between the glass and bulkhead or the threads where the pipes go into?

If it's between the glass and bulkhead tape will do no good. You may have a crack or something on the gasket. Make sure the gasket is on right and not distorted. If it's from the threads and the pipe or elbow and there is no crack use pipe sealant like reactor seal. Don't over tighten! Your hands will be enough if everything is right.

 

[E.intheC]

It's in between the glass and the bulkhead. I'll have to take a look at the bulkheads themselves...

This, along with my insanely loud (well, it used to be anyway) drain noise is pretty frustrating tonight.. :smash:

 

[kidninja]

yea i used an oring like this

 

[clownlover]

i use alittle silicon and never had a problem

 

[E.intheC]

Oh.. this is awesome by the way... (video of my drain line.....)

 

[E.intheC]

I'm going to post a few pictures of my plumbing in case anyone has some ideas for noise reduction.. It's too late for me. I'm spent. ..until tomorrow.. (excuse the mess..we're getting ready to move ...and according to my wife I spent too much time on the tank the past few days :lol2

 

[ming]

assuming there is no crack from you drilling the hole, you might want to remove the bulkhead and make sure its clean from any dirt, especially the rubber O ring. I would suggest to use the bulkhead rubber O ring because they're wider then the O ring pictured above... and specifically designed for the bulkheads. If there is some dirt or deterioration on the O ring, clean or replace it. When putting it back on, make sure its centered on the hole. Hand tighten as hard as you can without tools and try again.

 

[E.intheC]

assuming there is no crack from you drilling the hole, you might want to remove the bulkhead and make sure its clean from any dirt, especially the rubber O ring. I would suggest to use the bulkhead rubber O ring because they're wider then the O ring pictured above... and specifically designed for the bulkheads. If there is some dirt or deterioration on the O ring, clean or replace it. When putting it back on, make sure its centered on the hole. Hand tighten as hard as you can without tools and try again.

I didn't see any cracks from drilling. I don't think there is. As for the bulkhead, I used a rubber gasket, not an o-ring. I'll have to inspect everything tomorrow, make sure it's centered and clean.

 

[Chraddam]

Eric, whatever it is, make sure you address it before you start that tank!!! One of ours has been leaking for weeks now, and we have no clue where the leak is. I would seriously fix it and wait a few weeks before you put anything in there...

 

[E.intheC]

bah... still loud.. and the larger bulkhead on the right is still leaking..