Help ! Leaky bulkhead

[Rick M]

I just did my "wet" test on my new set up and everything held, except for the bulkhead fitting on my acrylic sump. It is on the pump intake and I can't get it to stop dribbling.

I heard some people use silicone lube on the rubber gasket ?

Can / should I use some aquarium silicone around the opening/gasket ?

Any tips?

Thanks in advance, Rick M

 

[smcnally]

I wouldn't suggest using silicone because it doesn't bond well to acrylic and will start leaking again eventually. Drain the sump, pull the bulkhead off, and then sand the edges of the hole and reassemble it with the gasket wet. Also be sure the gasket is on the inside of the sump. What happens sometimes with acrylic is that when it is drilled, there is a little lip left that can cause issues. Usually just sanding it will take care of it.

 

[Rick M]

Thanks Steve

I'll try that right now!

Rick

 

[Jim Tansey]

Rick,

Is the rubber gasket in the correct position, I see this all the time, IT MUST BE POSITIONED BETWEEN THE FITTING FLANGE AND THE GLASS, AND NEVER BETWEEN THE RETAINING NUT AND GLASS.

Jim

 

[Rick M]

Leak Fixed !

I sanded the inside lip, and cranked down a little bit more on the retaining ring and it held fine, no drips at all. Thanks Steve

Jim,

I did have the gasket on the right side, I was warned about that by previous helpers.

Oh, and the man is still wrong if he is out at sea alone. (I checked with my wife, like we're always supposed to!)