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-   -   Silicone bulkheads - gasket or not (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=26101)

Chin_Lee 07-26-2006 03:07 AM

Silicone bulkheads - gasket or not
 
I'm in the process of installing some gaskets and I want to be 100% sure they will not leak so I will be sealing them with silicone. Should I just use silicone for the seal or should I also install the gasket?

G1GY 07-26-2006 04:47 AM

If you use silicone with a rubber gasket it will just act as a lubricant to help squeeze the rubber out when tightened. Just use one or the other, but not the two together.

Also, if your going to use silicone. Let it cure a bit before tightening the fitting. :)

StirCrazy 07-26-2006 05:13 AM

I would put silicone on both sides and along the threads and then tighten it up, wouldn't worry about letting it cure unless you want to be able to take it apart again easy. if you let it cure that mean one side won't bond fully and thus the possibility of a leak at some point maybe.

Steve

mark 07-26-2006 05:26 AM

I put a thin film on both sides of the gasket, yes it probably helped in sealing but does seem to make the gasket want to slide out even when tightening slightly. Bit on the threads will help lock the nut.

albert_dao 07-26-2006 08:37 AM

Putting a thin seal of silicone on the gasket is just a set up for leaks down the line. The silicone will wear, as it is apt to do, forming channels between the glass and the gasket.

Veng68 07-26-2006 10:12 AM

how about putting the gasket on normally and then siliconing around the bulkhead?

Cheers,
Aquaman

Quagmire 07-26-2006 01:16 PM

Ive never siliconed a bulkhead.But when I use it on an engine,I run a good sized constant bead.Tighten up the bolt untill its just pushing into the silicone,then let dry.After it dries I tighten up the bolt.This way the silicone works as a gasket.Dont see why it wouldn't work the same on a tank.So far on a tank Ive found the gaskets work well enough alone.

TRS 07-26-2006 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chin_Lee
I'm in the process of installing some gaskets and I want to be 100% sure they will not leak so I will be sealing them with silicone. Should I just use silicone for the seal or should I also install the gasket?

I would suggest using the gasket (on the inside of the glass), tightening the threaded nut and then using a thin bead of silicone around the gasket just as a precaution. This has worked fine for me.

Rikko 07-27-2006 03:32 AM

I had a hell of a time getting the bulkheads drip-free when I plumbed my 120, but I finally got it to work with no silicone.
My first try around, I used the gasket on the inside and silicone on the outside.. Drip drip dip.
Second time, silicone on both sides.. Drips!

The third time, I forewent the silicone and just used one gasket and tightened the hell out of it.. Drip!

Finally, I hand-tightened in, but only about as strong as I could do with my left hand (being right handed).. Not a single drip in six months..

Though I see a drip forming in my drain line plumbing... I think the next time I do this, I'll splurge and use PVC primer before cementing!

SuperFudge 08-15-2006 11:54 PM

Dont use silicone.
If the fitting does leak,now or eventually...its a nightmare to prep for another seal..let alone even getting the nut back off.

90% of bulkhead leaks are just from the gasket being dryfitted.
Wet the gasket before tightening, making sure the gasket is on the "wet" side of the wall.

If you want to make absolutley sure it wont ever leak, place a rubber gasket on the wet and dry side, with an additional cork gasket after the rubber on the nut side.
WET both rubber gaskets prior to assembly.
Youd almost have to try to make that combination leak.

The only time silicone should be used, is if the hole was done poorly, and chipped out more than half the gasket width on the wet side.

Marc.


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