Bulkhead rubberwasher?

BigReepher · 12-30-2003, 02:23 PM

When installing a bulkhead in a tank, should the rubber washer go on the inside or outside of the tank? I've seen it done both ways, does it matter? I apologize for my ignorance.

Witfull · 12-30-2003, 02:27 PM

i have always put it inside.

mwrager · 12-30-2003, 02:30 PM

Mine are inside of the tank.

BigReepher · 12-30-2003, 02:31 PM

Thanks Witfull and Mwranger, that makes the most sense to me.

Scooterman · 12-30-2003, 04:15 PM

They should go on the Inside, the threads should go out & don't over tighten them, it will twist the rubber or cut it.

linesides · 12-30-2003, 04:51 PM

Scooter is right, by tightening the nut against the washer you not only risk a slight twist in the washer, which COULD cuase a leak if the twist begins to fold, you also my try to overtighten,trying to get rid of of said leak, which could cuase the glass to crack, cuasing even worse leak.

BigReepher · 12-30-2003, 06:53 PM

Thanks guys. So it really depends on which side the nut is on. Excellent info.

JennM · 01-01-2004, 08:32 PM

The nut goes on the outside, the washer on the inside. The washer is to keep water IN... therefore it goes inside.

We plumb tanks all the time, this is the only way we do it. Hand-tighten the bulkhead from the bottom outside - be careful not to over tighten or you can crack the glass or the bulkhead.

Jenn

rDr4g0n · 02-03-2007, 10:25 AM

i know this thread is ancient, but im doing a bulhead install right now and i needed the info. i thought i rememebred reading that the washer goes on the outside so that it isnt constantly exposed to the saltwater which quickly degrades its quality.

Scouter Steve · 02-03-2007, 10:36 AM

The actual threads on a bulkhead are not designed to be water tight. Therefore you are suposed to keep water away fron threads. Usually the rubber is inside and nut outside. If you put the washer outside (reversed for some reason) water will leak through threads and still be up against the rubber. Hand tighten and then check for leaks. I have heavy duty bulkheads on my 125 and they did need a little more tightening but go very slow as it is in all parts of this hobby.

Woodstock · 02-03-2007, 12:14 PM

Rubber gasket goes on the inside; teflon tape the outside threads and hand tighten the outside nut.

billyr98 · 02-03-2007, 02:21 PM

Great old thread... this was one of my first searches on RS!

rDr4g0n · 02-03-2007, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billyr98

Great old thread... this was one of my first searches on RS!

lol

Frankie · 02-03-2007, 11:25 PM

Strange, I never heard someone say the nut go's on the inside.

rDr4g0n · 02-04-2007, 01:36 AM

i was saying that the nut goes on teh outside, but the washer on teh outside too. the only reason i mentioned that is because i read somewhere that this would have the washer minimally exposed to the saltwater which would prolong its life.

12-30-2003, 02:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
BigReepher Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 474 View Gallery Karma Komment	Bulkhead rubberwasher? When installing a bulkhead in a tank, should the rubber washer go on the inside or outside of the tank? I've seen it done both ways, does it matter? I apologize for my ignorance.

12-30-2003, 02:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
mwrager Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert AZ Posts: 1,068 View Gallery Karma Komment	Mine are inside of the tank. __________________ Mark Some days I realy feel old! http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner3.gif

12-30-2003, 02:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
BigReepher Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 474 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks Witfull and Mwranger, that makes the most sense to me. __________________ I'm not a doctor but I'll take a look.

12-30-2003, 04:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
Scooterman Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana Posts: 1,184 View Gallery Karma Komment	They should go on the Inside, the threads should go out & don't over tighten them, it will twist the rubber or cut it. __________________ Scott Ardoin (Ard-Dwan) Last edited by Scooterman : 02-04-2007 at 04:45 PM.

12-30-2003, 04:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
linesides Tunicate Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 20 View Gallery Karma Komment	Scooter is right, by tightening the nut against the washer you not only risk a slight twist in the washer, which COULD cuase a leak if the twist begins to fold, you also my try to overtighten,trying to get rid of of said leak, which could cuase the glass to crack, cuasing even worse leak. __________________ Rick

12-30-2003, 06:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
BigReepher Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 474 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks guys. So it really depends on which side the nut is on. Excellent info. __________________ I'm not a doctor but I'll take a look.

01-01-2004, 08:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
JennM Bryozoan Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Canton, GA Posts: 49 View Gallery Karma Komment	The nut goes on the outside, the washer on the inside. The washer is to keep water IN... therefore it goes inside. We plumb tanks all the time, this is the only way we do it. Hand-tighten the bulkhead from the bottom outside - be careful not to over tighten or you can crack the glass or the bulkhead. Jenn __________________ JennM Owner:Imagine Ocean

02-03-2007, 10:25 AM	#9 (permalink)
rDr4g0n Elegance coral Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: south texas Posts: 1,169 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Bulkhead rubberwasher? i know this thread is ancient, but im doing a bulhead install right now and i needed the info. i thought i rememebred reading that the washer goes on the outside so that it isnt constantly exposed to the saltwater which quickly degrades its quality. __________________ I know there are quite a few typos in this post. It's not that I'm stupid... it's more like... I'm lazy. - John My 29 Gallon tank of AWESOME My DIY Projects: My $50, 150watt lighting • 10 gallon tall tank • Hood for my 10gal. tall my r0xx0r DIY protein skimmer • 2 cheap strip lights into 1 • Grow cyano!?

02-03-2007, 10:36 AM	#10 (permalink)
Scouter Steve Neon dottyback Join Date: May 2006 Location: Somers Wisconsin (Kenosha County) Posts: 683 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Bulkhead rubberwasher? The actual threads on a bulkhead are not designed to be water tight. Therefore you are suposed to keep water away fron threads. Usually the rubber is inside and nut outside. If you put the washer outside (reversed for some reason) water will leak through threads and still be up against the rubber. Hand tighten and then check for leaks. I have heavy duty bulkheads on my 125 and they did need a little more tightening but go very slow as it is in all parts of this hobby.

02-03-2007, 12:14 PM	#11 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,007 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Bulkhead rubberwasher? Rubber gasket goes on the inside; teflon tape the outside threads and hand tighten the outside nut. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My QT/Hospital Tank* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MHs, dual Geiseman Actinic T5s,Neptune AC III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

02-03-2007, 02:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
billyr98 Reefing Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 5,400 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Bulkhead rubberwasher? Great old thread... this was one of my first searches on RS! __________________ Billyr98 -=NJRC Treasurer=- My 450g Reef Tank ~~~ Its HERE!!!

02-03-2007, 11:25 PM	#14 (permalink)
Frankie Angel Girl's Daddy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The End Of The World Posts: 7,329 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Bulkhead rubberwasher? Strange, I never heard someone say the nut go's on the inside. __________________ Bruce: Today's meeting is Step 5: Bring a fish friend. Everyone brought a fish friend? DIY=DO IT YOURSELF! If we ignore the environment maybe it will just go away....

02-04-2007, 01:36 AM	#15 (permalink)
rDr4g0n Elegance coral Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: south texas Posts: 1,169 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Bulkhead rubberwasher? i was saying that the nut goes on teh outside, but the washer on teh outside too. the only reason i mentioned that is because i read somewhere that this would have the washer minimally exposed to the saltwater which would prolong its life. __________________ I know there are quite a few typos in this post. It's not that I'm stupid... it's more like... I'm lazy. - John My 29 Gallon tank of AWESOME My DIY Projects: My $50, 150watt lighting • 10 gallon tall tank • Hood for my 10gal. tall my r0xx0r DIY protein skimmer • 2 cheap strip lights into 1 • Grow cyano!?

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