TMC Reef Habitat 60 - pipe issue

alishasreef · Jun 15, 2023

Hi there, I need some advice please.

I have a TMC reef habitat 60, i am waiting for a new sock holder so I can have a sock on the overflow pipe and the middle pipe.

I’ve never unscrewed the middle pipe before. I’ve today went to try unscrew it and swap the current sock and holder to the middle pipe while I wait for my second one.

I’ve noticed that the pipe is wet as if water slowly trickles down.

My family do the pipes for me as I can’t unscrew/screw them back up on my own. The entire middle pipe moves side to side whilst my other pipes do not (shown in video). What can I do about this? i’m very worried about unscrewing this middle pipe to put a sock in now.

Thanks

Snoopy 67 · Jun 15, 2023

Sounds like the bulkhead is loose.
You have to tighten the nut under the overflow box.
Hand tight & no more than 1/8 turn with whatever works.

alishasreef · Jun 15, 2023

Snoopy 67 said:
Sounds like the bulkhead is loose.
You have to tighten the nut under the overflow box.
Hand tight & no more than 1/8 turn with whatever works.

Is there any videos perhaps on youtube for this? I’m extremely out of my depth for anything pipes that this is already going over my head...

I have friends who are very handy with this type of stuff so i’m hoping they may understand if not

alishasreef · Jun 15, 2023

Snoopy 67 said:
Sounds like the bulkhead is loose.
You have to tighten the nut under the overflow box.
Hand tight & no more than 1/8 turn with whatever works.

Are you meaning that this round bit (marked colour red) simple needs to be tightened by hand?

Snoopy 67 · Jun 15, 2023

The round piece is part of a union, used to join 2 pipes together. It does have to be tight to prevent leaks but it is NOT a bulkhead. A bulkhead is what comes through the glass & accepts the pipe you will be using.
The nut is up against the glass underneath the tank. From the looks of things in that picture you may have to remove the leaky pipe @ the union to get to the nut. Hopefully the union itself will drop with the pipe.
The ORANGE line above is where the nut should be. There should be a gasket inside the overflow box under the flange on the bulkhead. They do come loose sometimes & need tightening. Especially if you work on the pipe.