Springing a Leak

[ellebelle]

I have sprung a leak between my bulkhead and the sump (leading to my external pump). It is a relatively bad leak - I'm losing about an inch of water out of my sump every 3-4 hours. I've tried siliconing it, but I think I should have used a schedule 80 bulkhead. Right now, I think there is just too much pressure on it.

Leaving town in three days. What should I do about this? It's a 1" drill hole.

 

[inline6]

Do you mean that you're using a 1" return bulkhead?
The hole you have drilled should be 1+3/4" to accommodate the 1" bulkhead.
How much pressure do you have going to it?
Do you have a valve attached any where on the return to reduce the pressure?
The BH could have been over tightened.

I have a schedule 40 1" BH if you want to use it (new).
I'll bring it with me into the city, I work around Midtown.
lmk

BTW - a schedule 80 will require a different diameter hole.

 

[thirty5]

There is no need for Schedule 80. The difference is the wall thickness. Where is it leaking from? Litterally from the bulkhead???? Make sure that the gasket that is on the bulkhead is on the right way. On the rubber washer there might be little raised ridges. Those go TOWARDS THE GLASS. I have had plently of bulkheads tha the gasket was on backwards.

Explain where it is leaking from a little better if you can. And DONT use silicone, all that will do is make a mess, and it has to be DRY to use it, and takes a long time to dry at least 24 hours. If you have a clean hole and good rubber washer then you should have no problem with a seal.

 

[jhale]

I would empty the sump and replace the bulkhead.

what connection type is it ? threaded ?

 

[Davidl919]

I have a lot of extra plumbing parts if you need, bulkheads included LMK i'll pm you my number... I'm in inwood.

 

[ellebelle]

Thanks for the advice everyone, but it wasn't the bulkhead. I cracked the tank. Too much pressure on glass that is too thin + moving the tank = hairline fracture.

aaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhh.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

 

[tosiek]

:smash::smash::smash::smash: for hardpiping alot of stuff when u shoulda spaflexed it =0P

 

[Killerdrgn]

if you wanta quick temporary fix you could use some crazy glue gel on it to stop the leak. but you will need to get the tank replaced if it's cracked.

 

[House of Laughter]

Lissa,

I have an acrylic tank brand new same size if you need.

Where was the hairline crack?

LMK,

House

 

[ellebelle]

Okay, all fixed (for now). There were actually two cracks in the tank - one from the hole down to the bottom pane of glass and a far larger one cutting across the corner. I think it had been leaking for a long time from the little crack but the big one was new.

Took my 10g tank from my old set up, plus the Mag 5 and ViaAqua pumps from my old set up, cut apart my plumbing and plumbed it all in tank. Not as efficient, but it works for now.

Sigh. Now just need to make some more water. I needed to do a water change anyway.

 

[bigbris1]

That really sucks, I feel bad for you. This was my main fear when contemplating drilling my tank. I used flexible hose for the return & rigid PVC for the drain, but strapped them both down to the stand to relieve pressure on the bulkheads.

LMK if you need help drilling another tank.

 

[PalmTree]

Wow that sucks Lis.... At least you have a temporary fix. Aren't you glad you caught it now before you left?