How to properly tighten a bulkhead?

boxfishpooalot · 09/26/2015, 07:44 PM

I figured by hand, but should i use a wrench?

ca1ore · 09/26/2015, 07:53 PM

I think the standard advice is to hand tighten as much as you can and then do a further 1/4 turn with the wrench.

boxfishpooalot · 09/26/2015, 09:58 PM

Thanks. Should i fasten the pvc pipe to the stand, or is it ok to let the bulkhead support the pvc?

ca1ore · 09/26/2015, 10:10 PM

I think supporting the PVC is always a good idea.

sleepydoc · 09/26/2015, 10:46 PM

+1 plumbing should always be supported

Windy2 · 09/27/2015, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepydoc

+1 plumbing should always be supported

Really???

Kalen · 09/27/2015, 07:42 AM

Yes it should be support. By supporting all the plumbing it takes the stress off the bulk head and the bottom of the tank. Not saying if you don't support the box something is going to happen. But rather be safe then sorry and having to replace a tank due to not supporting it. As far as the bulk head always, ALWAYS hand tighten never use a wrench or tool to help tighten.

Raptor72 · 09/27/2015, 09:06 AM

As far as tightening the bulkhead nut, I would think that if it was meant to be hand tightened only, the nut portion of it would have been designed with a little more "meat" to it. It isn't though, its a thin nut with flat sides, very similar to any other nut meant to be tightened with a wrench. Granted, it is made out of plastic and any over tightening will likely warp it. The rule of thumb I've always heard was to hand tighten and wrench it 1/8 - 1/4 of a turn.

hyperblu · 09/27/2015, 07:28 PM

I've always done mine hand tight, but some overflows are narrow and I would prefer a wrench till it's snug.

albano · 09/27/2015, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

I think the standard advice is to hand tighten as much as you can and then do a further 1/4 turn with the wrench.

+1... That's what I've always done

kinnadian · 09/28/2015, 01:25 AM

I also stick some silicone in between the rubber gasket and the wall, just some extra peace of mind but probably not necessary.

albano · 09/28/2015, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kinnadian

I also stick some silicone in between the rubber gasket and the wall, just some extra peace of mind but probably not necessary.

I think that I've been told to NEVER do that...

ca1ore · 09/28/2015, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalen

As far as the bulk head always, ALWAYS hand tighten never use a wrench or tool to help tighten.

Kind of ironic then that many bulkheads actually come with a wrench.

flanole · 09/28/2015, 01:00 PM

The bulkheads on my older 150g came with a wrench and instructions to hand tighten only.

I guess the wrench was a freebie. I would hand tighten the bulkhead and see if you have any leakage. A wrench can give you so much leverage that you push the gasket out resulting in a leak.

billsreef · 09/28/2015, 01:19 PM

If you are putting the bulkhead fitting in a fiberglass tank, then you can use a wrench for that extra little bit past hand tight. Do that with a glass tank and you might break the tank.

skeeter_ca · 09/28/2015, 01:39 PM

I wanted the bulkhead nut to be pointed up into my overflow in my 75 gallon tall tank. There was no way in Hades to turn the nut by hand with any force at all. I built a hand wrench by cutting out the shape of the nut in some plywood and glued a U-shaped handle on top of it. Worked great and you can apply just slightly more than hand pressure to it.

skeeter

HaiD888 · 09/28/2015, 05:23 PM

the plumbing should be supported but make sure its doesn't put stress onto the tank.

Gorgok · 09/28/2015, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeeter_ca

I wanted the bulkhead nut to be pointed up into my overflow in my 75 gallon tall tank. There was no way in Hades to turn the nut by hand with any force at all. I built a hand wrench by cutting out the shape of the nut in some plywood and glued a U-shaped handle on top of it. Worked great and you can apply just slightly more than hand pressure to it.

skeeter

I made a 70mm socket out of 3" pvc pipe to tighten my bulkheads. Location issue as well, but with a socket on them i had lots of grip...

09/26/2015, 07:44 PM	#1
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	How to properly tighten a bulkhead? I figured by hand, but should i use a wrench? __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.

09/26/2015, 07:53 PM	#2
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I think the standard advice is to hand tighten as much as you can and then do a further 1/4 turn with the wrench. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

09/26/2015, 09:58 PM	#3
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	Thanks. Should i fasten the pvc pipe to the stand, or is it ok to let the bulkhead support the pvc? __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.

09/26/2015, 10:10 PM	#4
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I think supporting the PVC is always a good idea. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

09/26/2015, 10:46 PM	#5
sleepydoc Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,907	+1 plumbing should always be supported __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 120 gallon, coast to coast overflow w/beananimal overflow. Waveline DC 10000 II return pump, 40 gal sump, Octopus XS200 skimmer, T5 lighting

09/27/2015, 07:42 AM	#7
Kalen Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 555	Yes it should be support. By supporting all the plumbing it takes the stress off the bulk head and the bottom of the tank. Not saying if you don't support the box something is going to happen. But rather be safe then sorry and having to replace a tank due to not supporting it. As far as the bulk head always, ALWAYS hand tighten never use a wrench or tool to help tighten.

09/27/2015, 09:06 AM	#8
Raptor72 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Wildomar, CA Posts: 1,112	As far as tightening the bulkhead nut, I would think that if it was meant to be hand tightened only, the nut portion of it would have been designed with a little more "meat" to it. It isn't though, its a thin nut with flat sides, very similar to any other nut meant to be tightened with a wrench. Granted, it is made out of plastic and any over tightening will likely warp it. The rule of thumb I've always heard was to hand tighten and wrench it 1/8 - 1/4 of a turn. __________________ Ok,.... Now it's turning into an obsession Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 750 XXL, Red Sea 170

09/27/2015, 07:28 PM	#9
hyperblu Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 9	I've always done mine hand tight, but some overflows are narrow and I would prefer a wrench till it's snug.

09/28/2015, 01:25 AM	#11
kinnadian Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 187	I also stick some silicone in between the rubber gasket and the wall, just some extra peace of mind but probably not necessary.

09/28/2015, 01:00 PM	#14
flanole Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 49	The bulkheads on my older 150g came with a wrench and instructions to hand tighten only. I guess the wrench was a freebie. I would hand tighten the bulkhead and see if you have any leakage. A wrench can give you so much leverage that you push the gasket out resulting in a leak.

09/28/2015, 01:19 PM	#15
billsreef Moderator 10 & Over Club Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Long Island, NY/North Miami Posts: 36,538	If you are putting the bulkhead fitting in a fiberglass tank, then you can use a wrench for that extra little bit past hand tight. Do that with a glass tank and you might break the tank. __________________ Bill "LOL, well I have no brain apparently. " - dc (Debi) Current Tank Info: Far too many tanks according to my wife, LOL.

09/28/2015, 01:39 PM	#16
skeeter_ca Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,007	I wanted the bulkhead nut to be pointed up into my overflow in my 75 gallon tall tank. There was no way in Hades to turn the nut by hand with any force at all. I built a hand wrench by cutting out the shape of the nut in some plywood and glued a U-shaped handle on top of it. Worked great and you can apply just slightly more than hand pressure to it. skeeter __________________ skeeter - It is easier to ask for forgiveness than premission. My motto to my wife. Current Tank Info: 75rr,6"dsb,refugium,auto top-off & semi-auto water changer, OM squirt. 4 MJs 1200, Started on 03/03/06

09/28/2015, 05:23 PM	#17
HaiD888 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 57	the plumbing should be supported but make sure its doesn't put stress onto the tank.