overflow and return bulkheads

After a weekend of filling and draining my 65g to check for leaking (which there was a lot of) and getting brand new bulkheads, the return bulkhead was STILL leaking (dripping) water from the thread. I can't believe how much trouble this drilled tank has given me. I finally decided to silicon everything, even the parts that weren't leaking just to be safe. From anyone's experience will silicon fix the problem? I just don't want to get saltwater in the tank and finding it dripping 6 months later....

 

How did you have the bulkhead set up? Where (which side) did you put the gasket, nut or flange? what kind of bulkhead (cheap gl*******s kind, or good plumbing supply kind?)? How tight did you tighten it down? Did you have any plumbing pushing it in any direction?

 

the bulkheads are set up going through the class, then the slip, then the thread. I have a lot of issues tightening until I bought brand new bulkheads from the aquarium shop (highly trusted). The new bulkheads reduced the leaking completely BUT there was still dripping through the thread. Tried tread tape and that didn't work. I figured silicon would be the safest bet. Now i'm just nervous that is won't hold over time

 

Draw a picture in paint. Is it set up as flange - gasket - glass - nut? Are the bulkheads a heavy plastic or thin ABS? Do you have any plumbing putting pressure on the bulkhead? Take pictures!

 

its too dark to take pictures right now...but the rubber is on the outside with the nut, it's suppose to be on the inside?

 

Yeah the gasket should be on the inside of the tank. I work with my LFS owner when hes installing systems residential to commercial. We put silicone on ALL of our bulkheads to for extra insurance. even with the thinner ABS type bulkheads, never had any leak.

 

The gasket should be on the side with the flange (without the nut). The nut twists the gasket, so it can't make a good seal.

 

Yup gasket inside will fix the problem..water is getting behind the bulk head and into the threads....bypassing the gasket.

 

wow I feel really stupid now, I after all the time and research I STILL messed it up. well you live and you learn. I will take the bulkheads off tomorrow and get new ones because i'm sure I won't be able to get the silicon off. I think I will still silicon it from the inside after for added insurance. thanks guys!

 

don't silicone the gasket....use some on the nut; then you have a seal on both sides

I however have never used silicone on a bulkhead and never had any leak....JME