Endlessly Debatable Bulkhead Question

[jeffopentax]

I want to install the bulkheads for my canister filter “backwards” (nut on the inside). Though it’ll look kinda ugly, i’ll be able to remove it if need be without cutting the 90 degree elbow connected to my filter hoses. Should the gasket be on the inside or outside? Seems the majority say flange side no matter what. Although, others say wet side no matter what. I had reverse installed bulkheads on my old cube and never had a leak, but have no idea which side I had the gasket on.


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[TORX]

Needs to be on the non nut side. The nut should be on the dry side but can put the nut on the wet side.

Putting the washer on the nut side is useless as water will still leak through the threads and get to the other side.

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[jeffopentax]

I think that may be how I did it. This is the only pic I have from cube tank and I can’t tell

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[TORX]

It is hard to tell but it looks like the gasket is on the nut side. You will want to redo it so the gasket is on the outside of the tank in this case.

I personally go one step further and silicone the gap between the glass and threads before putting the nut on. That is not a needed step at all, just something that I do to help ensure a good seal. It will be hard in this case as you cant get a silicone gun in there.

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[Matt1997]

I don’t see why it has to be on the inside. Care to explain?

 

[jeffopentax]

It is hard to tell but it looks like the gasket is on the nut side. You will want to redo it so the gasket is on the outside of the tank in this case.

I personally go one step further and silicone the gap between the glass and threads before putting the nut on. That is not a needed step at all, just something that I do to help ensure a good seal. It will be hard in this case as you cant get a silicone gun in there.

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The pic is my old cube (long gone now). I do know I used silicone as well.


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[Winks]

The gasket should go on the non nut side as @TORX has stated. This is done to eliminate any movement of the gasket when tightening the nut. If you tightened the nut and the gasket does move it can cause a small buckle in the gasket which will not seal.

 

[jeffopentax]

I don’t see why it has to be on the inside. Care to explain?

Behold my “bulkhead within a bulkhead”.

As it sits in the pic, the nut cannot clear the elbow, which my filter line will be connected to. If I needed to remove the bulkhead for some reason, i would have to cut through either the elbow, or the bulkhead itself. If I install the other way, with elbow on the flange side, it can easily be removed.


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[Matt1997]

Behold my “bulkhead within a bulkhead”.

As it sits in the pic, the nut cannot clear the elbow, which my filter line will be connected to. If I needed to remove the bulkhead for some reason, i would have to cut through either the elbow, or the bulkhead itself. If I install the other way, with elbow on the flange side, it can easily be removed.


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Can you not replace the elbow with a straight hose to male pvc fitting?

 

[Matt1997]

Pic

 

[jeffopentax]

Can you not replace the elbow with a straight hose to male pvc fitting?

I probably could, but i’m trying to keep it compact so I can put the tank as close to the wall as possible (hence the elbow).


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[Matt1997]

Another thought, if you need to remove the bulkhead for some reason, will the filter not be turned off? Just remove the hose from the elbow, take off the elbow (unless you plan on gluing it which I wouldn’t just use Teflon tape, gluing would destroy the threads) and then remove the bulkhead. Seems like a better option over inverting the bulkhead which is not what they were designed for.

 

[Matt1997]

Will get better flow with a straight connection as well

 

[jeffopentax]

Another thought, if you need to remove the bulkhead for some reason, will the filter not be turned off? Just remove the hose from the elbow, take off the elbow (unless you plan on gluing it which I wouldn’t just use Teflon tape) and then remove the bulkhead. Seems like a better option over inverting the bulkhead which is not what they were designed for.

It’s a slip connection, so have to glue. I know they can be used reversed, just can’t remember how I did it.


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[Matt1997]

It’s a slip connection, so have to glue. I know they can be used reversed, just can’t remember how I did it.


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Will never understand where the use of double threaded bulkheads was lost.