URGENT!! Bulkhead leaking in tank upgrade

[drayven54]

I'm at a loss, we attempted to fill the tank and it leaks from the bulkheads that connect the overflow to the tank, it's not overtightened and there's a gasket on both the inside and the outside. I have two ideas, either I can't get it tight enough with my hand, or the gasket is wet and not sealing properly and causing the tank to leak

 

[bluemon]

I would drain the tank up until the hole, clean the affected area, and retighten. That’s often all that is needed, a little maintenance.

 

[Minifoot77]

I would only use a gasket on the water side not the nut side it's easier to tighten and I've used a wrench on them many times just be careful your not tightening a head bolt

 

[SpyC]

Do you have a gasket on the flange side?

 

[drayven54]

Do you have a gasket on the flange side?

Yes

 

[fish_collector]

It needs to be tighter than just hand tight, use a pair of channel locks opened up to get on the nut, just a bit past snug is really all that is needed to stop a bulkhead from leaking. Water on the seal won't matter it'll still seal.

 

[drayven54]

SOLVED - the plumbing needed to be supported.

 

[bluemon]

SOLVED - the plumbing needed to be supported.

Can you elaborate for anyone finding this thread in the future?

Do you mean that the overflow box needed support for its weight?

 

[drayven54]

Can you elaborate for anyone finding this thread in the future?

Do you mean that the overflow box needed support for its weight?

All I did was built a wooden spacer to put under all the plumbing 90's in the back of the tank, the weight of the plumbing was pulling on the overflow box which was making it seal improperly. It's a modular marine overflow