Leaky Fitting
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Help
Forum Name: General Help
Forum Description: The place to ask about pest, problems, hitchhikers, etc.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=48978
Printed Date: July 16 2025 at 12:14pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Leaky Fitting
Posted By: Thorn
Subject: Leaky Fitting
Date Posted: May 17 2011 at 7:42pm
I'm having a problem getting a leak fixed on my 40 breeder. Here is a picture of the fitting:
 This leaks between the bulkhead and the elbow fitting. The bulkhead and other connections are fine. I've tightened it a couple of times, but there is still a very slow drip when I have the pump running. The bulkhead is threaded on both sides, and the elbow is threaded into the bulkhead with a few wraps of teflon tape. The pipe down is a slick fitting and is glued. The other side of the bulkhead is a 1'' to 3/4'' adapter with 3/4'' loc line threaded in.
I'm hesitant to keep cranking the elbow tighter, especially since I think I'd have to take the bulkhead off to keep the glass safe, which may be physically impossible given the elbow would have to stay on. I'm tempted to take off the loc line and silicone the back side of the elbow while it is inside the bulkhead, but that seems like a very jury-rigged solution.
Any ideas on what else to do to fix this?
|
Replies:
Posted By: Ahanix
Date Posted: May 17 2011 at 7:56pm
| Kind of a ghetto fix. But until you can fix it right (use a slip fitting next time instead of threaded) you can shut off your return and use red hot blue glue around it. It will seal it tight and level it leak free. I would probably leave it off for about 15 mins before turning it back on. Fixed my elbow when I had my 40b |
Posted By: Lexnano
Date Posted: May 17 2011 at 11:56pm
| I had the same issue and was able to fix it with some teflon tape |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: May 18 2011 at 9:50am
|
Bulkheads can be a real pain sometimes. The plastic that bulkhead fittings are made of is soft and when it's threaded on the inside it becomes very thin and won't take much tightening. You are right not to tighten any further. Sometimes a little more Teflon tape will work, but then you risk over-tightening it until it splits. For the hundreds of tanks I've set up and worked on over the years, I always use bulkheads that are threaded on the in-tank side to screw in the loc-line and slip on the outside to glue in the plumbing. My suggestion is to remove the threaded "Street Elbow", wipe some PVC cement (no Primer) around the inside thread and screw in the elbow. PVC Cement makes it slick at first and then starts to set, so screw it in quickly until it's snug. Because of the softness of the ABS bulkhead plastic, just a little glue is needed. Too much glue will overly soften the plastic and will take a day to set and be usable. I would simply loosen the nut and turn the bulkhead to unscrew it from the elbow. Spread PVC cement inside the bulkhead then screw the bulkhead back on to the elbow and tighten the nut. The cement is set enough to turn on the return pump in 15-30 minutes. FYI, Silicone does not stick well to PVC and ABS plastic. It is also a mess that takes 24 hours to set. We can't wait that long and shouldn't have to if we properly use PVC or ABS cement. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
|
Posted By: Thorn
Date Posted: May 18 2011 at 9:19pm
|
I decided to try to take the elbow off and be extra generous with the teflon tape before I tried any adheasive solutions. Just as I was done tightening it up (with just my hands), I heard a sharp pop. It split the bulkhead right down the middle. Of course this happened at 8:00 p.m., so MSM is closed and I don't think I could get anywhere else before they close. So, it will be until at least tomorrow night before I can leak test again, and probably the weekend before I can get it running. I think I'll definately go with a slick fitting this time.
|
Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: May 18 2011 at 11:26pm
|
That sucks. But might have been a bad bulk to begin with.
------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |
Posted By: Thorn
Date Posted: May 19 2011 at 9:55pm
|
Yeah, I wondered if there may have been a small crack and the extra teflon put just enough pressure to make it pop the rest of the length when I tightened it in. I was just using my hands and didn't think I was pushing it that hard, so maybe it was already partially done.
In any case, I do have a new slip bulkhead in place. Thre are no leaks and I am starting to put salt in it. I'll have to post a picture later.
|