Best Bulkheads?

[gnoles]

I have a bulkhead that no matter where I put it, leaks. I've tried return lines with pressure, drain lines, everywhere but in the parts bucket or garbage.

Any suggestions on a sponsor who sells high quality bulkheads? If I can find some that are "leakproof" with my tank, I'm replacing all four and getting some backups. It's a just a drip, but I want to get the extra towels out of my stand.

Thanks!

Gary

[killingseed2000]

is it a sch 40 or 80. most bulk head are the same. how are you using it? where are you placing the gasket? it should be on the flang side at all times. is the flang is on the outside of the tank then the gasket goes on the out side. you can put one on both side tends to help somewhat. but if you have the flang on the out side and the gasket on the inside , it will leak.

[gnoles]

Gasket is on the flage side, with the flange side inside the overflow. I guess I could order an extra gasket for each and put it on the nut side as well. These are schedule 40, as I don't think the 80's will fit my Deep Sea Aquatics 185.

[Gimili the Great]

as far as the best bulkheads i like these

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...duct%5Fid=5719

[killingseed2000]

ya, wasnt sure how you where using. sound like a very nice tank. sch 40 and 80 are different size holes not compatible with each other. another option is put a small beed of silicon around the holes edge let it dry some and them place the bulkhead. the bulkhead could be defective in some way. aquacave , savko, bulkreef and most online vendor have bulkheads. aquacave , savko i know have the gaskets as well as the bulkheads.

[gnoles]

Gimili: Any suggestions on which one will fit the DSA 185.... I'm using 1" schedule 40 bulkheads right now.

[Gimili the Great]

what size is the hole

to reason why job had all those issues would be
Job 3:25 "For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me."

[Gimili the Great]

it could be a bad gasket also, if you are able to remove the bulkhead and bend the gasket slightly you shouldn't see any little cracks if you do then you know the culprit to your leak

[gnoles]

I'll have to check on hole size, I'm guessing it's standard for a 1" bulkhead.

The quote was a tongue in cheek gift from a former student when I was demoted from counselor to asst. principal.

[killingseed2000]

tipical hole for a 1" sch 40 bulkhead is 1 3/4" .

[stunreefer]

HAYWARD SCH80 bulkheads...

[SaraB]

HAYWARD SCH80 bulkheads...

+1 for the Haywards!

[gnoles]

Do they come in Schedule 40.... I'm not buying a diamond drill bit!

[killingseed2000]

would need to know the size of the hole? sch 80 will not fit in a sch40 hole for 1" bulkheads. sch 40 is 1 3/4, sch 80 needs a 1 7/8 hole. just check the hole size before you get any 80.

[AZDesertRat]

Check a few things before buying new bulkheads. First,how sloppy is the fit in the drilled hole? It should be fairly snug with little side to side movement for best gasket fit. Next is it slip x slip, slip by thread or thread by thread? I prefer thread by thread for all my bulkheads personally. If its threaded take a good look at the threads and make sure they are absolutely free of any excess flashing or plastic scrap. Use a jewelers file, nail file, Xacto or pocket knife and clean the threads out on both the bulkhead and on the PVC that will screw into it. This one step alone fixes most drips since flashing makes teflon tape tear or roll out and not seal. On this subject I highly recommend the crayon stick type thread sealants instead of teflon paste or tape. Common brands are Plasto Seal made by LaCo found here:
http://www.laco.com/productDetail.aspx?ProductID=121

Or even Ace Hardware has a version like found here although this link is for 12 sticks.
http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...Id=38557381993

If you insist on using teflon tape use only the tape designed for propane and natural gas piping, usually pink or yellow colored, its much heavier duty and its mill thickness is probably 10x thicker so only a wrap or two is required. It also does not smear, tear or roll out as easy as the white stuff.

Always install the bulkhead clean and dry, no silicone or sealants/lubricants on the gasket. As already pointed out the gasket always goes on the flange side regardless if its on the inside or outside of the tank. Hand tighten only and maybe 1/4 turn more at most with a pair of channel locks. Overtightening is a very common mistake.
Never support any weight with a bulkhead always support any piping or pumps with something so the bulkheads pressure stays even all around, another common mistake.

These are just a few of the things I have learned over the past 20 years in the hobby, some learned the hard way!