how do I seal my bulkhead

[Arowanana]

I have a HOB overflow box for my 55 gallon and I can't get the bulkhead to seal watertight. No matter what I do it leaks so I think I need to seal it. Whats the best stuff to buy to seal it with??

 

[Arowanana]

TTT... please help, I need to get this done today because my tank is currently under-filtered and I do have a fish in there

Thanks

 

[spiff]

I would try a thicker gasket material. You can get sheets of gasket materials from auto parts stores. Or, if you have an old innertube, you can try to cut one from that.

But I couldn't say for certain that this would work for you. A lot of times, just rethreading the thing does the trick.

 

[Arowanana]

I would try a thicker gasket material. You can get sheets of gasket materials from auto parts stores. Or, if you have an old innertube, you can try to cut one from that.

But I couldn't say for certain that this would work for you. A lot of times, just rethreading the thing does the trick.

Thanks for the advice but I actually already did that last night. The rubber that came with the bulkhead didn't work. I assumed maybe having something thicker might due the trick so I used a couple thick rubber washers, but the water still trickles through the thread no matter how many times I rethread it. I'm actually seeking advice on what kind of sealant to buy...I have never done it before and I don't know what is fish safe.

 

[spiff]

Stacking them is prone to failure. But one thick one might work. But for it to be leaking in the first place, I would check the condition of the sealing surface. Are there any burrs or scratches? Is everything perfectly clean when you're threading it together?

I guess you can try silicon, but I have heard mixed results from people who try it.

 

[Knowdafish]

Use thread seal tape on the section of thread where the nut goes. No gasket is ever going to keep the threads from leaking.

 

[spiff]

The threads play no part of the sealing other than providing the pressure that allows the gasket to press against the side of the aquarium. If water is reaching thread, the bulkhead already failed.

 

[rallysman]

I've had to put gaskets on the outside before. I know it's not the way it's normally done but I have a few that have been holding for a couple of years that way

 

[Arowanana]

I've had to put gaskets on the outside before. I know it's not the way it's normally done but I have a few that have been holding for a couple of years that way

I have two on my 180 gallon that have gaskets on inside and outside that are holding great. Somehow on this one sater is still reaching the thread though. I'm thinking thread tape might work but I'm going to buy some silicon also...thanks

 

[rallysman]

I have two on my 180 gallon that have gaskets on inside and outside that are holding great. Somehow on this one sater is still reaching the thread though. I'm thinking thread tape might work but I'm going to buy some silicon also...thanks

Big thick rubber sink gaskets have worked for me in the past as well. Check the plumbing section at the hardware store and see what you can come up with. Silicone will work, but if you ever tweak it by moving a pipe your seal will be ruined.