Bulkhead... Keep The Rubber Seal?

[drsquirrel]

How bad is rubber in salt water? I was told that the rubber will ruin but reading around on "how to install a bulkhead", even on other marine tanks they say rubber washer on the water side (inside the tank).

So what is correct? I have the bulkhead(threaded), rubber washer, plastic washer, and nut...


Which side should they all go? And what parts should I (if I need to or if its a choice) use silicone sealant/solvent weld on... ?

 

[steelhealr]

Rubber gaskets are used in saltwater all the time. Any rubber gasket or seal can age over time and need replacement. As I understand it, it is gasket, washer, bolt. I don't think adding a little silicone to seal ever hurt anything. SH

 

[drsquirrel]

Rubber gaskets are used in saltwater all the time. Any rubber gasket or seal can age over time and need replacement. As I understand it, it is gasket, washer, bolt. I don't think adding a little silicone to seal ever hurt anything. SH

gasket, washer, bolt - both on one side of the glass?

I was thinking...

Bolt (main bulkhead with thread)
Rubber Washer
Glass
Plastic Washer
Nut

No?

Thanks

 

[BigC]

Personally I've been advised via my local marine club members to ditch all washers and silicone seal.
Here follows a small excerpt from my tank building thread.

The washers on the Bulkheads must be removed as these will eventually rot in a Saltwater environment and could eventually lead to leaks (Which wouldn't endear me to my better half if that happened )

So with all the washers discarded, we're good to go!

A generous bead of silicone is applied to each flange of the Bulkhead before connecting to the tank

This photo shows all the Bulkheads inserted in the tank base and silicone allowed to cure

ATB
C

 

[drsquirrel]

Okay, so I guess there could be some debate on this, or just preference/choice.


All I had currently was solvent, so went off to the new LFS I found a minute ago (few minutes away) and they didn't have any silicone... but he offered to lend me his main one although I declined as I wasn't sure about using the rubber yet, so he put some in a tiny pot for me and sealed it up problem when I got home though... I couldn't find the rubber seals, and just now I have found one of the two which is even more aggravating for me.


So, if I cannot find it in the next few minutes... I think my decision is made

 

[xxBarneyxx]

lol

Yeah I have used the rubber seals on a 'fuge tank and it was fine but only in use for about a year (maybe 2). I covered it in silicone still though anyway

 

[drsquirrel]

It's in now and drying, will leak test it Wednesday. Just sorting out the other piping now, just using solvent on that though.

 

[john.o]

Now here’s a question for you all...
How many of you have left the rubber feet on your return pumps to find they have gone all hard and brittle?

Answer Me for 1 and it only took 7 months , so there’s no way I am trusting a rubber washer to stop gallons of sea water been dumped on my floor , now silicone that’s a different mater, its used to seal the joints on our tanks and we all trust that , and some of us have tanks that are years old so with that said which would you rather use to seal your bulkheads? ,?