Installing Bulkhead Tips

drtrash · Jul 14, 2018

Poor flow, ( less surface area), thars why coast to coast are the best surface skimmer

Yellowsound · Sep 2, 2018

The 1” bulkheads that I recently bought each came with two gaskets. Is there any reason NOT to put a gasket on both the flange and the nut side?

vetteguy53081 · Sep 2, 2018

Yellowsound said:
The 1” bulkheads that I recently bought each came with two gaskets. Is there any reason NOT to put a gasket on both the flange and the nut side?

Flange side, not the nut side. It may not matter at all. I have heard regarding having gaskets on the outside is that they will likely crack/deteriorate over time due to being dry and under "pressure".

Yellowsound · Sep 3, 2018

Thanks Vetteguy. Sounds like it’d be safer to just stick w/ the single gasket on the flange side.

vetteguy53081 · Sep 3, 2018

Yellowsound said:
Thanks Vetteguy. Sounds like it’d be safer to just stick w/ the single gasket on the flange side.

Absolutely. Leaks not welcomed :)

isazh86 · Nov 28, 2018

Hi all, i set up my new 100g tank, i put bulkheads go with some minimal water level in box to see if bulk leaks, no leaks.

When I started to setup pipes, when i finish i see couple of drops, about one drop in 5 min.

So now is hard to get it more tighten, should i leave it, it dip on valve then going to sump, like i said very small amount. What should i do?

cromag27 · Nov 28, 2018

isazh86 said:
Hi all, i set up my new 100g tank, i put bulkheads go with some minimal water level in box to see if bulk leaks, no leaks.

When I started to setup pipes, when i finish i see couple of drops, about one drop in 5 min.

So now is hard to get it more tighten, should i leave it, it dip on valve then going to sump, like i said very small amount. What should i do?

how are the pipes connected?

isazh86 · Nov 28, 2018

cromag27 said:
how are the pipes connected?

Pipes are conected with pvc glue, and I glue pipes to bulkhead.

I can remove valve and i have union flat joint on other pipes, so i can remove them. But i dont know if i can tighten it more, i tighten with hand a maximum and then with toolkith 1/8 of circle.

cromag27 · Nov 28, 2018

isazh86 said:
Pipes are conected with pvc glue, and I glue pipes to bulkhead.

I can remove valve and i have union flat joint on other pipes, so i can remove them. But i dont know if i can tighten it more, i tighten with hand a maximum and then with toolkith 1/8 of circle.

can you determine where the leak is coming from?

Ultra Aquatics · Nov 28, 2018

Bulkheads only need to be hand tightened. I have seen many times the pipe is torquing the bulkhead a bit and preventing the seal.

Fiberco · Dec 26, 2018

I just replaced my bulkheads on my 180 gallon reef ready tank. I installed them just as you described except this time I purchased a bulkhead nut tool. Best $12 I ever spent!

Fiberco · Dec 26, 2018

If anybody is doing this for the first time and they just bought a new tank, do yourself a favor and buy a bulkhead nut tool from BRS. They don’t come with the tanks most of the time.
I just replaced my bulkheads and plumbing and sump and the tool made it a lot easier to remove and replace the bulkheads. Boy, was I dumb the first time!

docwells · Jan 9, 2019

This is a great thread. I recently installed 2 bulkheads on my new tank and they both have a small intermittent drip. I think it is my fault as I put silicone grease on the gaskets. By this thread, I should not have done that. I plan on replacing bulkheads this weekend. And need to find thread sealant as new bukheads are threaded. Will not use Teflon tape after reading this thread

docwells · Jan 13, 2019

Just an update. Replaced both bulkheads and no leaking now. I used the thread sealant for the first time. Easy to use and worked great. No leaks. Will use from now on.

hyacinth · Jan 31, 2019

Wasn’t aware of bulkhead tool. Gonna get 1 from BRS.

Zan101 · Feb 14, 2019

Fiberco said:
If anybody is doing this for the first time and they just bought a new tank, do yourself a favor and buy a bulkhead nut tool from BRS. They don’t come with the tanks most of the time.
I just replaced my bulkheads and plumbing and sump and the tool made it a lot easier to remove and replace the bulkheads. Boy, was I dumb the first time!

Nice setup

Marv · Mar 5, 2019

Great article and just in time. I will be drilling a tank, first time drilling and installing bulkheads in the coming weeks. The article identified some techniques that I would have done incorrectly. Thank goodness for this forum.