Tightening Bulkheads

[ismvel]

Now that I have decided on using my RO/DI water for filling my tank, now I move onto plumbing..,..

How do you all tighten bulkheads? Hand, or do you take a wrench to it? I once cracked a 20 gallon tank tightening them just a "LITTLE" too much...any golden secrets (silicone, wrench, ...... ???? ) to tighten these things without OVER tightening them?

Thanks,
Ismael

[aquasport24]

you should do it by hand with a thin layer of silicone(if it goes on glass or acrylic surface). You can use a channel lock plier if it goes to a plastic surface, but do not over torque it.

[tomanero]

I've hand tightened mine and then with a wrench went another 1/4 turn.
I watch the gasket and stop when it just starts to compress.

So far, no leaks.

[captexas]

I've cracked a bulkhead nut once before by overtightening it with a wrench so you do have to be careful not to over do it. I believe Tomanero is correct in hand tightening it as much as you can and then give it a good 1/4 to 1/2 turn with a wrench to snug it up.

I've never used silicone to seal them, but I have heard of other people putting a bead of it around a bulkhead lip before tightening it down.

[ismvel]

Good looking out fellas....I am dry fitting my plumbing right now....

[caferacermike]

I've never felt the need to silicone a gasket into place. I will let you in on a plumbing secret, that is to always grease a rubber seal before insertion. Never use a petroleum grease, use something that everyone has around the house-Crisco. Crisco is pulverized vegetable matter. A very light coating will allow the gasket to turn, twist, move as you tighten the bulkhead. I've found most LFS and discount store bulkheads to be weak in nature. If you are using a quality product like Hayward don't be afraid to tighten it. With hobby bulkheads (and mind you this advice comes from a 15 year pipe-fitter) tighten them hand tight and then wait. If you see them drip a little, keep in mind that you can always go back and tighten it a bit more. If you crack it when you first tighten it because you over tightened it, you can never tighten it up to get it to stop after that.

One tip I offer about hobby bulkheads. Buy the type that are female thread inside the overflow and slip on the side that goes to the sump. Plumbing threads have a taper built into them, this taper seems to ruin thread style bulkheads. I've split 4 1" style bulkheads even when just hand tight. I've found that the taper causes the form molded seams to split after about 2 weeks. I've heard several other hobbyists agree with me after explaining this, agree that they too have split bulkheads. By using a slip/glue socket under the tank you get rid of the possibility of splitting the bulkhead.

[LoneStar]

I gotta second what Mike said.

[MissT]

yeah, listen to Mike, he knows his stuff

[ismvel]

Thanks Mike for the "chime-in"....I did as you suggested and I actually happened to have those type of bulkheads that you recommended..so it worked itself out....