Plumbing Question

N

nfoster187

New member
I went up to ATR and got a all the peices i need to plumb my tank, but my question is skip gave me some silicone and told me to use it on all the threads. Should i use it to attach PVC to PVC or should I use PVC glue. Also should i put silcone on the bulkhead threads?

Thanks

Nick
 
Silicone on all the threaded pieces. PVC glue on the PVC. Only silicone the female threads on the bulkhead.
 
Use the teflon tape 6-10 times around threaded male PVC connections followed by the silicone. Use your finger to smooth out the silicone around the threads. Don't over do the silicone or it gets messy. Just use enough to help get a nice seal to prevent any leaks. Also, I would reccommend waiting 24 hours after doing plumbing before you do any water tests through it.
 
No need for teflon tape if you use silicone. I recommend silicone over teflon tape because teflon tape tends to add bulk to the fitting and this can be an issue with cracking fittings.
 
ahhh thanks skip. I've always used both from some advise I got somewhere. I did crack one sch 80 bulkhead doing it but that was it so far. I'll have to try the silicone only method.
 
I would most humbly disagree with Skip about the silicon versus teflon tape. Too much tape and overtightening can lead to a cracked fitting for sure. Silicon once it sets isn't really designed for thread sealing. There are thread sealing silicon compounds and if that's what he was talking about then I most humbly apologize. But regular silicon sealant will develop micro cracks in threadspace over time.
 
Sorry if this is a stupid question but when he says female side does he mean the ring that screws to the bottom of the tank??

Thanks Guys

NIck
 
I disagree with everyone. Use teflon thread sticks like these:

http://www.laco.com/ProductDetails120.aspx

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/LOC-37615.html

They are far superior to either silicone or teflon tape when it comes to PVC threads. My swimming pool contractor has used it for over 25 years with great success.

Make sure to file the threads clean before assembling any PVC fitting. There is always extra flashing or molding scraps down in the threads and if you don't get it out it cuts teflon tape or scrapes the putty stuff away.

Use NOTHING on bulkhead gaskets and mating surfaces. Its ok to use the thread stick on the interior of threaded bulkheads but always keep the sealing surfaces to the glass dry. Silicone and teflons cause gaskets to scoot and leak.
 
hmm, I went for months trying to stop my bulkhead leaks, using fresh water before setting up the tank. Sure wish I knew all of this then! :rolleye1:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10682479#post10682479 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jerryz
I would most humbly disagree with Skip about the silicon versus teflon tape. Too much tape and overtightening can lead to a cracked fitting for sure. Silicon once it sets isn't really designed for thread sealing. There are thread sealing silicon compounds and if that's what he was talking about then I most humbly apologize. But regular silicon sealant will develop micro cracks in threadspace over time.
Click to expand...

Nope, I meant regular old aquarium silicone, I have used it for years and never had an issue with leaks on plumbing up to 8 years old. Why would silicone develop these cracks in a threaded fitting and not in the seams of an aquarium?

I am more than happy to use a better way, just want to understand all the options first.
 
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