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Bulkhead woes-Help?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by dead fish, Jul 23, 2012.

  1. Jul 23, 2012 #1
    dead fish Iowa City

    dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
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    Hey all, 
    Well, I got my 180 plumbed today and went to test my bulkhead seals  and almost all of them are leaky. I did the old "finger tight" thing, but it wasn't enough. I tried to get in there with a wrench to tighten more, but am still not getting a seal and I don't have the right wrench. I may have garbled up the 1" overflow fittings trying to work with them with what I have. 
    This is my first go-round with this kind of stuff and I was wondering if anyone in the IC area would be willing to give me a hand with tools or knowledge or both? This ain't my forte. /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/crying.gif
    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Jul 23, 2012 #2
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    6,044
    Cedar Rapids, IA
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    Do you have the rubber seals on the correct side of the bulkhead? They should be inside the tank. Make sure the glass is really really clean and smooth where the seal is going to sit. You will have to go more than finger tight to get a full seal, but you shouldn't have to really crank hard on them either. 1/4-1/2 turn maybe.
    I always have a few leaks to chase down when I do plumbing. Not my favorite part of the hobby that's for sure.
     
  3. Jul 23, 2012 #3
    dead fish Iowa City

    dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
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    Yeah the gaskets areon the inside. The tank had been drained and was a littl more dirty than I thought. When stuff got wet, there was some sand down there that loosened up, so I probably didn't get it as clean as I needed to. 
    My big problem now is tools. I can't seem to get the thing loose now without chewing it up. I just don't have the right wrench. What do most people use on these things?
     
  4. Jul 23, 2012 #4
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    6,044
    Cedar Rapids, IA
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    They make little wrenches specifically for them, really handy if space is tight. I usually just use a big pair of channel locks though.
     
  5. Jul 23, 2012 #5
    Killernights

    Killernights Inactive User

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    Ya they can be hard to get off sometimes, you just have to be patient and work with them. Also get the rubber rings wet with RO water before putting them back on, this will help to seal them.
     
  6. Jul 24, 2012 #6
    areefoffaith

    areefoffaith Inactive User

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    if there is any grit between the seal and the glass it may not seal as well i recommend disassemble and cleaning real well then reassemble
     
  7. Jul 24, 2012 #7
    dead fish Iowa City

    dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    And the winner is: Oil filter wrench!

    The filter wrench I use for my bike was just the right size to get in there and grab with the tips.

    Whew. I think (fingers crossed) I've got it water tight now. Had to tighten more than I expected to.
     

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