How to fit bulkheads?

[smokymcjoe]

Im about to fit my bulkheads to my tank.

my question is, do is silicone around the hole first?

or simply let the gasket do the work?

should i put plumbers tape around the thread for the bulkhead?

anyone with experience to offer would be much appreciated,

just want to do it right first time without leaks because draining to fix is a pain.

 

[squint]

Gasket on the side with water. No silicone or adhesive of any sort. No PTFE tape unless the inside of the bulkhead is threaded. The outside threads shouldn't be exposed to water and won't need PTFE tape.

 

[smokymcjoe]

thank you, most appreciated.

 

[spwd]

Cant see why a bit of silicone would hurt and would put your mind at rest, but i suppose they are designed not to need it.


Steve

 

[squint]

People have used silicone, epoxy, etc., making the installation permanent and very hard to service when they start the pump and it still leaks.

I've been using bulkheads for nearly 10 years and have a box full of bulkheads of all sizes and types. I even sell bulkheads to local folks who need them ASAP and don't have the time/money to mail order them. I've never had to or desired to use silicone.

 

[spwd]

Thats good to know .


Cheers steve

 

[smokymcjoe]

well i tried it without anything, and it leaked, also if i tightened too much the gasket pushed itself out??

so... teflon tape around the thread, bit of plumbers mate and no leaks, with a foot of water but thought best to be safe and drained and siliconed around the inner seal.

perfect.

better be safe than sorry imo.

didnt want it full and then have a slow drip rear its ugly head after a while.


both the durso standpipe and return pipe are screw fit so can be removed. I used plumbers mate on the first peice of pvc after the bulkhead and again after ball valve so all can be removed and cleaned apart from the bulkheads, which i dont intend on ever removing.

thanks.

 

[jcardona1]

I always use a bit of silicone on the outside of the bulkhead.