Leaking bulkhead

[dugthefish]

Threaded dry side leaks when PVC fitting installed. Multiple attempts with tons of teflon tape, I've pretty much bottomed the fitting out to the point the bulkhead itself starts loosening up. Any thoughts or work around?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Can you share a picture of it so we can see what you're dealing with

 

[dugthefish]

.

 

[dugthefish]

Not a great spot to work lol. Had to remove the emergency to access it. Got the bulkhead cranked down half a turn past finger tight, but when I put the wrench on the PVC fitting, the bulkhead loosens.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Is it leaking from where the white fitting goes into the bulkhead or where the bulkhead goes through the glass into the tank?

 

[dugthefish]

Is it leaking from where the white fitting goes into the bulkhead or where the bulkhead goes through the glass into the tank?

White fitting into bulkhead

 

[dugthefish]

Basically, I can't tighten the white fitting enough to be water tight without the bulkhead to glass connection coming loose.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Basically, I can't tighten the white fitting enough to be water tight without the bulkhead to glass connection coming loose.

Are you able to tighten the white fitting into the bulkhead and then tighten the bulkhead?

 

[dugthefish]

Are you able to tighten the white fitting into the bulkhead and then tighten the bulkhead?

Hmmm, good idea. I'll give that a try!

 

[dugthefish]

Are you able to tighten the white fitting into the bulkhead and then tighten the bulkhead?

Nope, not gonna work. If I attach that connection outside of the tank, the union (glued, of course) wont fit through the hole in the glass.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Check out this thread, and see if it might help, I'm unsure at this point
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/sealing-threaded-pvc.383728/page-2

#reefsquad any ideas on threaded fittings?

 

[dugthefish]

Check out this thread, and see if it might help, I'm unsure at this point
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/sealing-threaded-pvc.383728/page-2

I considered that, I call it "pipe dope". But I remember reading somewhere that it's not good for plastic fittings [emoji848]

 

[Finnaddict]

Silicone works great and does not affect PVC

 

[MSB123]

I had the same exact problem. Ended up just pluging the hole. I ordered a sink wrench to help hold the bulkhead when i try and fix it.

 

[dugthefish]

The other side has been good from get go, so I gave it one more try. This time went about a dozen wraps of teflon tape, cranked it down JUST until the bulkhead moved, and stopped. Appears to be good, monitoring now.

 

[Captain Quint]

My old eyes are probably deceiving me.

Are you putting the white threaded into an inside slip of an outside threaded bulkhead?

 

[dugthefish]

My old eyes are probably deceiving me.

Are you putting the white threaded into an inside slip of an outside threaded bulkhead?

Its you're eyes lol. That particular bulkhead came with the tank, and is threaded both inside and out.

 

[Captain Quint]

Its you're eyes lol. That particular bulkhead came with the tank, and is threaded both inside and out.

Love the response. Thank you.

 

[redfishbluefish]

First off, Teflon tape should never be used with pvc threads.....You'll potentially crack the bulkhead.

To use your terms, you need to use pipe dope that is specifically made for pvc threaded pipe.

 

[dugthefish]

First off, Teflon tape should never be used with pvc threads.....You'll potentially crack the bulkhead.

To use your terms, you need to use pipe dope that is specifically made for pvc threaded pipe.

I keep hearing it both ways. I guess, for the time being, I've got teflon taped, non cracked, bulkheads. Thanks for the responses.