Leaking bulkhead help - possibly caused by glass chip

[Trefoils]

Hi all,

I am hoping to get some help as I can't get one bulkhead in my internal overflow (SCA 120G) to stop leaking (other two are fine with no problems from day one). I have tried two different bulkheads, different levels of tightness on the nut on each one, and tried the gasket with the ridges up or down. No matter what I get seepage/leaking.

There is a glass chip in the rim of hole that extends to the glass surface. You can see it in the lower right corner of the photo. However, as you can also see in the photo it's inside the gasket diameter so I thought it would be ok. But it's the only thing I can think of that could be causing this leak. Any tips on how to handle it?

 

[KrisReef]

Can you put the gasket on the other, undamaged side?

 

[Trefoils]

Flip the bulkhead you mean, so the flange and gasket are on the dry side? I thought about that, but if I flipped the bulkhead I wouldn't be able to tighten the nut as I can't reach it at the bottom of the overflow.

 

[sgdnycct]

Flip the bulkhead you mean, so the flange and gasket are on the dry side? I thought about that, but if I flipped the bulkhead I wouldn't be able to tighten the nut as I can't reach it at the bottom of the overflow.

Probably meant moving just the gasket. Or better yet put a gasket in each side. You can also try a thin bead of silicone.

 

[Trefoils]

Probably meant moving just the gasket. Or better yet put a gasket in each side. You can also try a thin bead of silicone.

Gotcha. I thought the gasket was only supposed to go on the flange side. I will see if I find another gasket. I also have silicone so I can try that if I can't get it fixed.

 

[Reef Jedi]

A thin bead of silicone would work well to fill in the chip. Double gaskets on both sides will also do the trick!

 

[Mebbid]

Are you positive that it's leaking from the gasket and not the bulkhead itself? I had a really stubborn leak I couldn't fix, turns out it was a mini crack in the bulkhead itself.

 

[Trefoils]

Are you positive that it's leaking from the gasket and not the bulkhead itself? I had a really stubborn leak I couldn't fix, turns out it was a mini crack in the bulkhead itself.

I have tried two different bulkheads, both had the same issue. It's possible but unlikely they both had cracks although I will give another close inspection.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Flip the bulkhead you mean, so the flange and gasket are on the dry side? I thought about that, but if I flipped the bulkhead I wouldn't be able to tighten the nut as I can't reach it at the bottom of the overflow.

A 3D printed socket would do the trick.

Probably meant moving just the gasket. Or better yet put a gasket in each side. You can also try a thin bead of silicone.

Nope - he meant flip the bulkhead. The gasket has to go between the flange the tank wall. Gaskets between the nut and tank wall do no seal anything, but are sometimes used as washers to allow the nut to be tighten and spread force without point loading the tank wall.

Silicone may do the trick, but it can make the problem worse if you are not careful. The gasket still needs to be properly compressed, as the sealing action is pressure. The silicone sealant acts as lubricant and can allow the gasket to squish out and deform as it is tightened. Less is more and the nut should be snugged enough to add pressure, but not press the gasket out. Once the silicone has partially cured (not fully) then the nut can be torqued.