Help with bulkhead

[Mikemilly245]

Was water testing and this bulkhead I lazily reused was leaking, added silicone and it’s still leaking so I think I’m just gonna do what I should have done to begin with and cut it off and replace

I already chewed the nut up pretty bad trying to screw up off with pliers, what’s the safest way to cut it without breaking the tank ? Maybe I’m just not trying hard enough I’m just nervous to chip it haha

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

That looks to be a standard duty bulkhead: https://www.buckeyehydro.com/bulkheads/

In a location like that, where replacing it is a pain, you'd absolutely want to use a heavy duty bulkhead: https://www.buckeyehydro.com/bulkheads-heavy-duty/

 

[Mikemilly245]

That looks to be a standard duty bulkhead: https://www.buckeyehydro.com/bulkheads/

In a location like that, where replacing it is a pain, you'd absolutely want to use a heavy duty bulkhead: https://www.buckeyehydro.com/bulkheads-heavy-duty/

I did think about doing that but figured it would be overkill. All I have on hand currently are replacement standard duty 3/4 bulkheads. Still should do the trick huh?

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

Don't do it! Take the time to do it right, once. Getting a new heavy duty bulkhead will require a few days... but then you'll be done with it.

 

[Mikemilly245]

Don't do it! Take the time to do it right, once. Getting a new heavy duty bulkhead will require a few days... but then you'll be done with it.

You’re right, maybe I should go big or go home, don’t see a 3/4 size on your site though?

Still the question stands though, how to get it off ?? I could keep trying channel locks but the plastic is getting chewed up, maybe a camping saw ? Where exactly should I cut ??

 

[Mebbid]

Hey, I did the same thing! The silicone makes it a nightmare to get off. I had to use two pair of channel locks and muscle it.

A camp saw could work, would just have to cut through one side of the nut. A diagonal downward cut as high up as you can get it would be best.

 

[Mikemilly245]

Hey, I did the same thing! The silicone makes it a nightmare to get off. I had to use two pair of channel locks and muscle it.

A camp saw could work, would just have to cut through one side of the nut. A diagonal downward cut as high up as you can get it would be best.

dang , I’m just too nervous to put too much pressure on there, I would lose it if I cracked it. I already broke a 40b sump during this project

 

[Mebbid]

Hey, I did the same thing! The silicone makes it a nightmare to get off. I had to use two pair of channel locks and muscle it.

A camp saw could work, would just have to cut through one side of the nut. A diagonal downward cut as high up as you can get it would be best.

dang , I’m just too nervous to put too much pressure on there, I would lose it if I cracked it. I already broke a 40b sump during this project

Yeah, i completely get you. The 2 pairs of channel locks was my last ditch effort before i took a dremel and cut a v notch up the bulkhead as close to the tank as I dared. Theoretically that would have released tension and allowed just a hair of flex to loosen the nut up a touch.

 

[Mikemilly245]

Okay so while I take a break from this wondering if anyone has any ideas

I used a wire pvc saw and cut it in half right where the nut ends hoping it would release tension


Not sure who put this on but I can’t get it to spin at ALL. I don’t really have anything to grab onto anymore. Do I have to break out the dremel? Maybe glue a scrap piece of pvc and see if that would break it loose?? I’m out of ideas haha

 

[Buckeye Hydro Verified Sponsor]

Looks like you cut off the only thing you could grab - the nut. If the nut is completely cut off, then you should be able to push it up and out of the hole. Likely the only thing holding it would be silicone caulk.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Use a small saw....I'd prefer a hacksaw handled saw....

And cut it out. Might require going up the bulkhead and cutting out in pieces.

 

[Asm481]

Cut vertical cutting through the bulkhead part in a couple places then pry it from the nut.

 

[KStatefan]

Okay so while I take a break from this wondering if anyone has any ideas

I used a wire pvc saw and cut it in half right where the nut ends hoping it would release tension


Not sure who put this on but I can’t get it to spin at ALL. I don’t really have anything to grab onto anymore. Do I have to break out the dremel? Maybe glue a scrap piece of pvc and see if that would break it loose?? I’m out of ideas haha

The nut ends above where you indicated with your red line

 

[UncommonSense]

at this point, best-bet is going to be splitting the remnant of the nut…

If you can use the above hacksaw blade trick, sawing with the end of the blade inside the bulkhead’s plumbing hole, you can get a slot in that nut remnant…

A flathead screwdriver in your cut slot, twisted, will crack the nut along the slot, allowing it to start moving… if silicone is still holding it firm, cut between tank glass and nut remnant with a razor blade to free it from the glass!

 

[Ef4life]

Going to a heavy duty bulkhead sounds good in theory until it doesn’t fit because the hole in the glass is too small. So I would verify the hole size needed before going that route

A cable rope saw might be the most viable option for getting into a tight space like that to cut the bulkhead with the lease amount of swear words
Amazon product ASIN B0FQC2DGB3
I see that’s what you did and didn’t work out. From this point you will basically have to cut the nut into 2 halves with a saw blade or dremel tool and finish removing it.

 

[Mikemilly245]

Use a small saw....I'd prefer a hacksaw handled saw....

And cut it out. Might require going up the bulkhead and cutting out in pieces.

I think I do have one of those , just two cuts across from each other up the bulkhead should do ?? What happens if I hit the glass ? How do I avoid that haha

 

[UncommonSense]

What happens if I hit the glass ? How do I avoid that haha

You don’t cut all the way through; go around 75% of the distance, then split what’s left of the nut as described above!

This is a very delicate procedure, and should not be rushed!

 

[Mikemilly245]

What happens if I hit the glass ? How do I avoid that haha

You don’t cut all the way through; go around 75% of the distance, then split what’s left of the nut as described above!

This is a very delicate procedure, and should not be rushed!

Alright got it i will try that, thanks for all the help guys