Oh I am SOOOO frustrated!!!
 

[rant]
So here I am puttering around my tank today trying to get the stupid bulkheads to quit leaking so I can finally get my sump running. I had them fairly loose since I'm paranoid about cracking the glass, so of course they leak, and need to be tightened up more. I am such a procrastinator. I am tightening up the last bulkhead and CRACK. There goes the sump. :laluot_08:

SO I siliconed the crack thinking that would prob do the trick since the crack is only about 3" long, and 3 hours later I am messing around in my planted fw tank and I hear CRACK. Another crack splits up the other side of that bulkhead. Oh for hell...

Now I have to go buy a new sump, reinstall the baffles, drill the holes for the bulkheads, buy a bunch of new plumbing pieces, and basically redo the entire thing since I can't get the plumbing apart to repair it. I'm ready to kick the sump.
[/end rant]

don't, you might crack it.....

I have some nice adjectives you can use if you would like to borrow some.

How thick is the glass?

Not sure if you used silicone or not but I always have and never had a leak and I just tighten them hand tight. Just make sure you inspect the bulkhead first because small bumpy casting flaws can cause problems if you don't take them off with a utility knife first.

for years i just snug them up and coat the heck out of them with sillicone, and just expect that it will be a pain if they ever have to get removed

I feel your pain. Been there, done that. Sucks bad. I too silicone them up now.

Thanks for condolences guys. :cry: ( :lol: )

I've never used silicone on a bulkhead...maybe I should.

It's a standard 15 gallon...it's uber thin. I haven't cracked the 5.5 yet though, and it's even thinner! :lol:

bulkheads
 

bulkheads are pressure fit. use adjustable wrench after hand tightening turn 1/4inch with wrench check for leaks.dan

Aw, sorry to hear about your troubles Mindy.....I always hand tighten then a 1/4 turn with a wrench...no silicone