MY Tank Build Diary!

scott t

Active Member
Ran into a problem, the overflow started leaking.. I dunno if it is possible to seal this with Silicone to seal it? Because if not I am going to have to take all the Water that is in the tank out and find someway to cut the PVC pipe tighten the Bulkhead more if I can, because the overflow is so small that you can not get anything inside of it to tighten the nut on the inside. I am so mad that this happened. GRRRRRRR
 

2quills

Well-Known Member
Hmmm...the bulkhead nut is on the inside of the overflow you say? If that's the case then you have it reversed. The flange should be on the inside so that the rubber gasket seal is on the inside. Silicone would/could help but you'll need to let that area be dry and let the silicone cure before running the tank. Even then it's really just a band aid.
 

scott t

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/382874/my-tank-build-diary/320#post_3402252
Hmmm...the bulkhead nut is on the inside of the overflow you say? If that's the case then you have it reversed. The flange should be on the inside so that the rubber gasket seal is on the inside. Silicone would/could help but you'll need to let that area be dry and let the silicone cure before running the tank. Even then it's really just a band aid.
No no Corey maybe I said that wrong, The Flange part of the bulkhead nut is on the inside and the rubber gasket in between it and the glass and there is also a rubber gasket that is on the outside of the tank between the bulkhead and the glass. The problem is that you can not get inside the over flow to tighten the bulkhead nut there isnt enough room we have tried wrenches, lock pliers, I am just wt whits end on how to try and tighten that nut in the inside of the overflow. Any suggestions???
 

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott T http:///forum/thread/382874/my-tank-build-diary/320#post_3402254
No no Corey maybe I said that wrong, The Flange part of the bulkhead nut is on the inside and the rubber gasket in between it and the glass and there is also a rubber gasket that is on the outside of the tank between the bulkhead and the glass. The problem is that you can not get inside the over flow to tighten the bulkhead nut there isnt enough room we have tried wrenches, lock pliers, I am just wt whits end on how to try and tighten that nut in the inside of the overflow. Any suggestions???
Can you get a close up shot of the bulkhead on the back of the tank? Is it threaded the entire length? You should be able to just tighten up the nut on the back of the tank by itself once it's already snug. Plus if you have it glued to the pipe just hold the pipe real good and have your buddy or who ever is there tighten the nut with a pair of channel locks or pliers.
 

scott t

Active Member
Here are pictures my stepfather i going to try and make something to fit in there to tighten it.



The problem is there are 2 black pieces on either side of the bulkhead nut that there is not much room to get a wrench around it. I hope he can make something that will fit around it to tighten it...
 

2quills

Well-Known Member
Ah yeah, looks like it's backwards bud. A large pair of channel locks and very small turns might help. But the flange side is supposed to be on the inside, otherwise water is going to leak out through the threads.
 

scott t

Active Member
Corey do you mean the rubber Piece is supposed to be between the tank and the overflow? I am not getting what you are saying..here is another pic

between the nut and the overflow box is the rubber thing, are you saying that the rubber thing should be between the tank and the overflow box??
 

2quills

Well-Known Member
Does the overflow box have a back on it or is it 3 sided?
The bulkhead is reversed. The nut should be on the back/outside of the tank and the rubber gasket on the inside. With that being said, if you have a 4 sided box then you should have utilized a second rubber seal or siliconed around the hole on the backside of the box when you put it up to the glass.
 

scott t

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/382874/my-tank-build-diary/320#post_3402268
Does the overflow box have a back on it or is it 3 sided?
The bulkhead is reversed. The nut should be on the back/outside of the tank and the rubber gasket on the inside. With that being said, if you have a 4 sided box then you should have utilized a second rubber seal or siliconed around the hole on the backside of the box when you put it up to the glass.
The the overflow box is 4 sided with the whole in the back side of it. where is goes up against the tank. I am not following you Corey.. There is a second Gasket on the outside of the tank see in the picture that I just took..

This is a Rubber Gasket Between that round thing and the Glass on also..
 

2quills

Well-Known Member
Yep, the "round thing" is called the flange. The nut goes on the outside so it can be tightened real good.
If you don't have a way to tighten the nut any more then I would cut the pipe. Get a coupling and a new elbow and simply reverse the bulkhead and re-glue everything back up. But with the nut on the ouside you'll be able to tighten it properly. I would also apply a bead of silicone on the backside of the overflow box around the hole when you install it. That way all possible points of leakage are sealed off.
 

scott t

Active Member
Here maybe you can see what I mean in these picture I think they are better:

This is what is on the outside of the tank there is a rubber gasket as you can see up against the tank.

there is a gasket between the flat side of the nut and the overflow box.
 

scott t

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/382874/my-tank-build-diary/320#post_3402273
Yep, the "round thing" is called the flange. The nut goes on the outside so it can be tightened real good.
If you don't have a way to tighten the nut any more then I would cut the pipe. Get a coupling and a new elbow and simply reverse the bulkhead and re-glue everything back up. But with the nut on the ouside you'll be able to tighten it properly. I would also apply a bead of silicone on the backside of the overflow box around the hole when you install it. That way all possible points of leakage are sealed off.

Yep Corey I see what you mean I do have it all A** Backwards, I just hop that We can get it without cutting the Pipe because that would mean that i would have to take all the water back out of the tank.. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
 

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott T http:///forum/thread/382874/my-tank-build-diary/320#post_3402275
Yep Corey I see what you mean I do have it all A** Backwards, I just hop that We can get it without cutting the Pipe because that would mean that i would have to take all the water back out of the tank.. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Shouldn't have to take all the water our Scott. Just enough to where it won't leak out of the hole when you pull the box out and flip the bulkhead.
 

scott t

Active Member
Thanks Corey I knew if anyone would know how to fix it, it would be you. If we can get the nut off there I will not have to cut the pipe. I really hope and keep your finger crossed that we can get that nut off there lol
 

scott t

Active Member
Corey watch this Video they are showing you how to install the box go to 6:04 0n the video they are using a glassholes overflow box
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSYqSeW1mQg
Its the same as mine but that is just a double
 
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