Bulkhead Fitting Install Question....

[terrors r us]

Hi there...I am ready to install all my bulkhead fittings and I have some questions...
1) Does the rubber washer have to go on the inside of the tank?
2) Should I wet the rubber before install?
3) Should I use an oil free silicone on the rubber?
4) Does it matter if I mount the ball valves vertically or horizontally?

any other advise would be greatly appreciated...Thanks

I'm worried about adding silicone or vasoline if it degrades the rubber
over time...........

 

[roarbot]

1. Outside
2. No
3. No
4. No

 

[gomezladdams]

1.yes
2.yes
3.no
4.no

 

[Bderick67]

You'll get many opinions on this, really I don't believe it matters. What is important is that the rubber is on the flange side of the fitting opposite the nut.

 

[zennzzo]

Hi there...I am ready to install all my bulkhead fittings and I have some questions...
1) Does the rubber washer have to go on the inside of the tank?
Mount it with the gasket on the flange opposite of the nut, as mentioned above...

2) Should I wet the rubber before install?
3) Should I use an oil free silicone on the rubber?
Just make sure the surfaces are free from any debris, and then use silicone o-ring lube very sparingly...

4) Does it matter if I mount the ball valves vertically or horizontally?
Ball valves are fine to mount in any orientation, I sugggest in a way that you can easily turn the valve with no interference...

any other advise would be greatly appreciated...Thanks
I use aquarium silicone on the side opposite the gaasket under the nut. It fills any gaps that there might be that don't have any sealing properties...again apply it sparingly...Look for any "bunching-up" of the gasket when you are tightening the bulkhead. The most common mistake made is overtightening...


I'm worried about adding silicone or vasoline if it degrades the rubber
over time...........
Vasiline is a petroleum product DO NOT USE! Silicone ment for "O-rings" is fine and fish safe.

 

[chesterthehero]

put the gasket against the flange side.. which is usuially going to be on the inside of the tank.. if you put it against the nut it could bind when the nut is tightened which can/will cause leaks..

 

[terrors r us]

Thanks for all the responses......
I will def. put the gasket on the flange side in the tank...
I might use silicone on the nut side but not much and
won't overtighten...thanks