How do you install a bulkhead?

[lmeyer]

The real question is do you need sealant or is it just screwed in place and kept water tight with pressure?

 

Glass tank if that matters.

[jamesbuf]

your bulkhead should have come with rubber seals which should create a water tight seal when tightened.

[emissary]

Your bulkhead should go:

 

SCREWEY THING | GLASS TANK | RUBBER SEAL | BULKHEAD INSET

 

So... the rubber seal should go on the inside of the tank and the screwey thing on the outside will keep it firmly pressed against the glass. These are all technical terms.

[flowerseller]

The seal always goes on the bulk head side and not the nut side.

This applies whether either end is in the water.

I simply wet the seal and firmly hand tighten.

[lmeyer]

Thanks, guys! I had it right, but wanted a sanity check before I filled the tank. Started filling it this morning and all looks good.

 

So... the rubber seal should go on the inside of the tank and the screwey thing on the outside will keep it firmly pressed against the glass. These are all technical terms.

 

Great, I always like to know the correct terminology!

[dchild]

The seal always goes on the bulk head side and not the nut side.

This applies whether either end is in the water.

I simply wet the seal and firmly hand tighten.

 

Chip's right. You can put a bulkhead on "backwards" so that the long threaded part (with the nut) is inside the tank, but the rubber needs to be on the opposite side of the tank wall from the nut. Otherwise the water can leak through the threads and get around the rubber. Also, if you do it right, hand tightening will be just fine.

 

If you have not installed the bulkhead yet, make sure you get a threaded one so you can reuse it.

[lletellier]

very good info, thanks