here we go... 500g build start
- Thread starter brich999
- Start date
ps sorry but i wont get too much done over the next few days due to so many hrs at work, but i want this baby up and running!
ugh ran into the first newbie mistake... sure acrylic seals wont dry out, but i got it almost all plumbed and cemented and realized the bulkheads need to be replaced :/ unfortunately i already dumped in 150lbs of sand and will have to cut my plumbing and drain 250 gallons of water. should have known better
Subscribed :-D i'm building my 300gl as soon as i get home, hopefully i can learn as you learn :-D
lesson learned, i hate bulkheads. any tips on replacing them? how do i clean out the old silicone? can i reuse the bulkheads? whats the best way to insure they will be water tight?
Just unscrew the bulk head from the tank and buy new one. I have seen old bulk heads crack when you try to screw stuff into them. Bulk heads are cheap to buy depending on the size, cleaning 500 gallons of water off the floor is not fun, been there down that. Just unscrew the old one, scrape any silicone off and put new bulk head in. I use a little bit of PL roofing/flashing sealant made by loctite, can be found at lowes in the caulk section. A lot of people use in ponds on bottom drains and sealing around bulk heads when going through liner. I just put a little around the bulk head on the inside once you have it all tightned up. This sealant is black, if you want clear go with aquarium sealant, GE I, or RTV108.
Nice build so far.
Nice build so far.
Actually, bulkheads do not need, and should not use, any kind of sealant other than the rubber gasket they come with. Just tighten the bulkhead to the clean surface, glass, or acrylic and your all set.
Proper installation of bulkheads: The bulkhead and rubber gasket should be inside the tank, wet side. The dry side/out side of the tank you attach the retaining nut and tighten until the rubber gasket is slightly compressed to the glass. This would be about a 1/8 to 1/4 turn past finger tight and you wont have leaks.
I use the schedule 80 bulkheads for all my tanks. They are a little more expensive but much stronger. I never had one split from over tightening. I'm not saying it can't happen but it's hard to break a schedule 80 type bulkhead.
Proper installation of bulkheads: The bulkhead and rubber gasket should be inside the tank, wet side. The dry side/out side of the tank you attach the retaining nut and tighten until the rubber gasket is slightly compressed to the glass. This would be about a 1/8 to 1/4 turn past finger tight and you wont have leaks.
I use the schedule 80 bulkheads for all my tanks. They are a little more expensive but much stronger. I never had one split from over tightening. I'm not saying it can't happen but it's hard to break a schedule 80 type bulkhead.
thanks for the tips, this thing was loaded with old silicone, so i just figured thats what i should so. this also helps, since i wont have to let the silicone dry to test them. and tips on removing old silicone from acrylic?
