Haha. I was not going to admit to this, but I just let mine seal itself from the calcium deposit from the hard water as well. Only bad thing is, it will leak a little from time to time.
Bulkhead leak
- Thread starter knobhill
- Start date
Haha. I was not going to admit to this, but I just let mine seal itself from the calcium deposit from the hard water as well. Only bad thing is, it will leak a little from time to time.
just get an underwater pond silicone, its from germany the one I use you can go around the inside of the bulkhead with it why the tank STILL IS FULL. so no need to drain and its 100% fish safe thats why it costs a bit 
I have used it to fixed crack tanks etc with fish in them and no issues. its very painful using underwater if your not very handy. My friend who had to use it found it easier to apply a thick smudge to his finger then run this around vs putting the whole gun under water.
only other option I can think of but I doubt you would want to do it, remove the bottom of the bh, water shouldn't drain any faster if the top part is installed right maybe get someone to apply light pressure to the side in the tank just in case. then get a new gasket apply the black silicone to this gasket and push it hard onto the base of the glass where the BH is. then normally people run a light bead around the inner hole where the threaded part is after that you put the base back on the last few turns will be hard as there will be some silicone there but i have never seen a bulkhead leak when done like this. Only issue is removing them you need to use a bit of effort.
I would check as to why it is leaking, I dont use any silicone or glues on my bulkheads and never had one leak, so something must be going wrong with yours.
http://www.absolute-koi.com/subcat546.html
^^^ This is the one I use at work/home. works wonders just be careful with this one once it does dry its like cement, its much stronger then most silicones, I have issues cutting it with a new knife so dont go too crazy
can also use it to on metals to glass, at work we started silicone aluminum edges to tanks instead of the black plastic ones we believe it gives the tank a bit more strength.
I have used it to fixed crack tanks etc with fish in them and no issues. its very painful using underwater if your not very handy. My friend who had to use it found it easier to apply a thick smudge to his finger then run this around vs putting the whole gun under water. only other option I can think of but I doubt you would want to do it, remove the bottom of the bh, water shouldn't drain any faster if the top part is installed right maybe get someone to apply light pressure to the side in the tank just in case. then get a new gasket apply the black silicone to this gasket and push it hard onto the base of the glass where the BH is. then normally people run a light bead around the inner hole where the threaded part is after that you put the base back on the last few turns will be hard as there will be some silicone there but i have never seen a bulkhead leak when done like this. Only issue is removing them you need to use a bit of effort.
I would check as to why it is leaking, I dont use any silicone or glues on my bulkheads and never had one leak, so something must be going wrong with yours.
http://www.absolute-koi.com/subcat546.html
^^^ This is the one I use at work/home. works wonders just be careful with this one once it does dry its like cement, its much stronger then most silicones, I have issues cutting it with a new knife so dont go too crazy
can also use it to on metals to glass, at work we started silicone aluminum edges to tanks instead of the black plastic ones we believe it gives the tank a bit more strength.I had this problem too. Mine is in built in overflow boxes so I would have only had to drain an overflow, not the tank. Didnt have to though.
I tapped the bulkhead a few times and it slid over maybe an 1/8th of an inch. (Hole bigger than pipe). That sealed it never leaked again.
I tapped the bulkhead a few times and it slid over maybe an 1/8th of an inch. (Hole bigger than pipe). That sealed it never leaked again.
What is with people putting silicon and grease on their bulkheads? A properly installed bulkhead needs neither to keep from leaking.
Ok. I checked it when I got home.
Good news...it's not a gasket leak
Bad news...it is a leak from the Teflon tape between the female thread on the bulkhead and mpt to slip adapter. Because it is in the corner, I can't just take it out and retape without cutting pipe and using a coupler to repair. Looks like the best option though.
Underwater silicone...awesome! I just want to get some so I can use it.
Btw, I use silicone grease on all my gaskets and orings, it creates a better seal IMO and protects the gasket as well
Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Good news...it's not a gasket leak
Bad news...it is a leak from the Teflon tape between the female thread on the bulkhead and mpt to slip adapter. Because it is in the corner, I can't just take it out and retape without cutting pipe and using a coupler to repair. Looks like the best option though.
Underwater silicone...awesome! I just want to get some so I can use it.
Btw, I use silicone grease on all my gaskets and orings, it creates a better seal IMO and protects the gasket as well
Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Because every thread should have pictures
Sent from my SPH-D710BST using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Sent from my SPH-D710BST using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Isn't it possible to drain all the water out of the overflow tower, unscrew the fitting, slap some Rector Seal 5 on the threaded MPT to slip fitting and tighten it up good?
Teflon tape doesn't do much to prevent leaks...I think it's more to lubricate the thread so that you can tighten it down further. The Rector Seal 5 product actually helps create a seal...great stuff and safe for fish (it's listed as ok for potable water). http://www.rectorseal.com/RectorSeal-No-5.php
A leak would bug me...even if it means re-doing it, I would take the time now and get it water tight.
Edit: disappointed that I do not see my friends Mufasa or Rafiki in the pic.
Teflon tape doesn't do much to prevent leaks...I think it's more to lubricate the thread so that you can tighten it down further. The Rector Seal 5 product actually helps create a seal...great stuff and safe for fish (it's listed as ok for potable water). http://www.rectorseal.com/RectorSeal-No-5.php
A leak would bug me...even if it means re-doing it, I would take the time now and get it water tight.
Edit: disappointed that I do not see my friends Mufasa or Rafiki in the pic.
I agree with this.
I never use silicon or another leak preventative grease on any of my bulkheads.
The rubber gasket goes on the bulkhead side then the glass or acrylic tank then the securing nut is on the other side of the glass or acrylic and the nut is tightened to compress the rubber gasket to the glass and the bulkhead.
The Teflon tape is a lubricant for the threads to tighten better. Sometimes the plastic will stick and you cant tighten the nut all the way. a very thin strip of teflon tape over the threads will help out the sticking issue allowing you to tighten the nut to compress the rubber gasket.
