Bulkhead recomendation please?

blackx-runner · Dec 9, 2013

Posted By Kpotter2 on 12/09/2013 7:35 PM

Thanks for the input, but I am sure they are not all made the same. BRS video said that ABS are known for a few issues as I have discribes. I would like to go with Sch 80, but can't with my holes. I have two differant kinds at the moment and I don't know, but one is much more hevey duty then the other. The ABS plastic looks much differant along with the nut that goes on it. I will take some pictures when I get some time tonight as I am doing water change and post them later if I don't forget.

Any way that being said I am going to put some suport under them, but the one that broke was not very tight at all. I first tighed it up again with my hand then when it still leaked I took to a pair of channel locks and turned it about a 1/16 of a turn then another and it cracked and fell down. /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/sad.gif I think it was just a bad bulkhead. Maybe from sitting around or something maybe just not sure.

Did it break because you tightened it, or was it loose because it was already broke.... The unsolved mystery LOL.

Its not uncommon for them to break. They are cheap. I think the biggest thing is to make sure the surface the rubber gasket is sealing against is absolutely smooth and clean. It doesn't take much pressure at all to create a good seal in there, but just a little bit of crap under the gasket and you can have a drip that just doesn't want to go away.

The one that cracked was the one on my return and hooked up using the flex type pipe. I would sure hope that these bulkheads could take more stress then what you are discribing, but I am not taking any chances this time. I am going to rerun the whole system when I am on vacation the 1st of Jan. /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif

The other one on my overflow side was the line I was bumping as I was fixing it. Its the opposite side that is the isue now and looked to have been leaking a while before I got to it. I am sure I may have stressed it a bit, but these things are made to get stressed a little I would think.

So looks like as I thought these ABS are the way to go, but what did you have again installed David? Slip x slip?

KP
Click to expand...

ABS is probably the only thing you can find to fit. I've looked for better options without much luck. The standard drilled holes in these tanks just don't fit anything else. Just make sure and get the "better quality" abs and install carefully.

I use thread x thread so I can take the plumbing apart. But the threads present another set of issues with leaks, and again overtightening the NPT fitting and causing the bulkhead to crack.

Kpotter2 · Dec 10, 2013

I don't think it broke because from over tightening it. At setup I only tightened it tell I could by hand then with a wrench until I had no leaks. I made sure the area around the hole was clean and well prepared. At setup I even had to cut about 1/8 of the silicon from around the hole to get the bulkhead to seal. After I did that it sealed great. I have come to the conclusion that it was already cracked from salt creep or pressure of some kind and when I went to tighten it it broke. I am a fairly technical guy so I am sure I made no mistakes. lol

Its good to know that someone else had problems and That I am not just crazy. This is in no way on AC&C or BRS, but just wanted to get a call out on what others are using on there setups so when I go to redo mine I am ready.

I may take one of you guys up on the bulkheads if you don't mind! I will get a hold of you guys soon.

Thanks
KP

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