Teflon tape not sealing. What else will work?

[b4tn]

I'm building a salt change station. I have 3/4" bulkheads and threaded in a 3/4" elbow wrapped in teflon tape for my water level hose. My problem is its threaded all the way in and leaking at the bottom. I have done fuel lines before and NPT fittings are not supposed to thread all the way in. What is reef safe that I can use to seal the threads?

 

[Bbaz123456]

More Teflon or an o-ring
I also use "grip" occasionally, but I am not certain about its reef safeness. It will seal anything

 

[kschweer]

Lasco makes a thread sealer that should work. You could also use a little silicone.

 

[b4tn]

I will look it up. I can think of a hundred ways to seal this fitting.... But reef safe!? This is my RO storage can so I don't want it contaminated.

 

[b4tn]

Lasco makes a thread sealer that should work. You could also use a little silicone.

Silicone was my first thought. I have some handy as well but it's just not the right way lol

 

[Brew12]

I will look it up. I can think of a hundred ways to seal this fitting.... But reef safe!? This is my RO storage can so I don't want it contaminated.

There are a few types of Teflon tape. Are you sure you are using the correct one?

 

[b4tn]

That's a good question. I thought it was all the same.

 

[Bbaz123456]

Sorry, it is "grrip"; made by Hercules. It's a thread sealant and will seal anything and is safe for potable water.
Or try different bulkheads or 90

 

[Piranhapat]

Is the hose 5/8 or 1/2

 

[Brew12]

That's a good question. I thought it was all the same.

You really have to do some homework but they have different densities and ability to stretch. For many things the cheap stuff you get at a big box store will work. And you can typically just use more layers and stretch it a little, but for hard to seal items a good, high density Teflon tape is very useful.

 

[b4tn]

It's a 5/8 hose but that's me hose is not leaking. The threads on the 3/4" fitting are leaking.

 

[AquaSpaces]

Get some "Oatley great white pipe joint compound with ptfe". Not sure where your located but "Lowes" in NYC carries it, I'm sure Home Depot also.
It's not the cleanest looking but safe for aquariums, easy to use and works.
Weird your threaded fitting is threaded all the way in with Teflon and still leaking, no cracks anywhere right?
Good luck!

 

[Piranhapat]

You might need to change the fitting. Those threads might be to thin for bulk head. You can go HD and add adapter make up your own design.

 

[twilliard]

Glue is an excellent thread sealant if this is permanent

 

[donnievaz]

The pink heavy duty Teflon tape may work better.

 

[b4tn]

Glue is an excellent thread sealant if this is permanent

This is permanent. What type of glue?

Thanks everyone for suggestions I am heading to the hardware store soon. I will look for the pink Teflon tape or a glue. I have taken it apart three times now and re Teflon'd it lol. I am ready for a permanent solution

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Teflon tape was never meant to be used with plastic for water purposes. I use plasto- joint stik.

 

[mcarroll]

Sorry, it is "grrip"; made by Hercules. It's a thread sealant and will seal anything and is safe for potable water.
Or try different bulkheads or 90

Food safe is a good start, but will it leach into ultra-pure water is the question.

I agree with trying different parts....it's a defect.

Or..

This is permanent. What type of glue?

Thanks everyone for suggestions I am heading to the hardware store soon. I will look for the pink Teflon tape or a glue. I have taken it apart three times now and re Teflon'd it lol. I am ready for a permanent solution

If it's permanent, don't use threads in the first place....get a bulkhead with slip fittings and just glue in hard PVC as needed.

But if you want it threaded (presumably why you picked threaded?) then stop looking for workarounds. Your instinct was correct that the threads should lock. If it's not a defect, then your bulkhead has square garden-hose type threads (that need a gasket inside and isn't all that appropriate) rather than angled threads that self-seal. I'd return it on that basis and look for a suitable replacement.

2¢

 

[twilliard]

This is permanent. What type of glue?

Thanks everyone for suggestions I am heading to the hardware store soon. I will look for the pink Teflon tape or a glue. I have taken it apart three times now and re Teflon'd it lol. I am ready for a permanent solution

Normal pvc glue will bind and seal the threads

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

It will most likely not be water tight if you cement the threads. cement should be used for slip fittings. and use primer then glue, not the all-in-one junk.