My tank is leaking

[Mikemann93]

Hi,
I have a 100 gallon custom fish tank, and I'm having problems with some bulkheads. You see the previous owner decided to drill another hole next to the return, they had a bulkhead on there before but it was cross threaded (so I had to cut it off). So now for me to get them on correctly I have to cut some excess off the nut. Unfortunately it's not applying pressure all they way around so it leaks. I was thinking of just siliconing it, but I'm worried about how long it will last. So what do you think I so do? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[spiff44]

Its been decades since I had a bulkhead issue but I always found using gasket material from an auto parts store works great. (cut your own from a sheet... not so much the stuff in a tube) But if your flange isn't seating flush that needs to be fixed first. You probably just need a new bulkhead if that one is all messed up.

 

[Sarmo]

i agree the gasket should be good enough. Although, I have used a thin layer of silicone to seal bulkheads that were holding a overflow box in place on my SW system. that worked and didn't leak for many years, probably still doesn't leak but I don't have the tank.
a pic might help to better show the problem.

 

[DIDYSIS]

Buy a new bulkhead or two. Don't silicone them at all that's never needed.

Sent from the Monster Fish Keeping App

 

[deeda]

Hi,
So now for me to get them on correctly I have to cut some excess off the nut. Unfortunately it's not applying pressure all they way around so it leaks.

If the fittings are so close together that the nuts are hitting, you can try to slightly adjust the fittings further apart in the holes if there is enough room. If that doesn't work, you may have to purchase a different brand of fitting that will fit and allow clearance.

Posting pics of the tank holes and fittings will probably help, as well as the fitting sizes. Measure the hole sizes in the aquarium and their spacing if possible.