Teflon tape on bulkhead

[CorbetJackson50]

I am leak testing a setup of mine and the bulkhead is leaking. not at the gasket but at the threads. Is this normal to have to teflon tape bulkheads?

 

[sreefs]

yes

 

[billdogg]

i prefer to use tfe (teflon) plumbers paste. (HD/Lowes about $4) It sorta lubricates threads a little allowing you to snug them up better, and will spread itself around the threads better than tape will. just put a small amount on the male threaded piece and put them together.

 

[llebcire]

Yes, but out of curiousity, which way do you have the bulkhead installed?

I used bulkheads with both a male and female on each side for my sump/skimmer, and because of space and installation I needed to install the bulkhead backwards (threads inside). Needless to say, it leaked and the only fix for me was silicone - both on the threads and around the whole thing when installed. I have an identical bulkhead in my tank, installed the right way, and no problems.

 

[DiscoReefRover]

I have never in 10 years had a leaky bulkhead when installed properly ......example in picture above that gasket should have been on the outside of the tank on the flange of the bulkhead not on the Nut end thus the leak .. plus over tightening will cause a leak hand tight and a 1/4 turn is all that is needed to seal a clean install ....and I stress clean !!!! most people make the mistake of putting the gasket in the wrong placew it always goes on the flange end even if it is on the dry side of the tank !!!!

 

[jedheuer]

Teflon not needed. The gasket protects against leakage.

 

[llebcire]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14701489#post14701489 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DiscoReefRover
I have never in 10 years had a leaky bulkhead when installed properly ......example in picture above that gasket should have been on the outside of the tank on the flange of the bulkhead not on the Nut end thus the leak .. plus over tightening will cause a leak hand tight and a 1/4 turn is all that is needed to seal a clean install ....and I stress clean !!!! most people make the mistake of putting the gasket in the wrong placew it always goes on the flange end even if it is on the dry side of the tank !!!!

I realize that now

When I was building this I read on one of the forums here the gasket always goes on the wet side - doesn't make sense in my install after I thought about it...should always go against the flange.

If I ever pull the skimmer I'll switch it to where it should be.

 

[CorbetJackson50]

the bulkhead is installed properly, (clean, gasket on flange/tank side) it didnt leak through the gasket, just through the threads. It is a sch80 bulkhead if that changes anything

 

[PRDubois]

Teflon cant hurt

 

[mcrist]

I prefer silicone over Teflon tape but the disadvantage is that it needs to dry for 24 hours. If time isn’t an issue I use silicone otherwise your stuck with Teflon tape.

 

[THE ROOK]

If the bulkhead leaks by the exterior threads then tape will just send the water between the nut & glass. Basically, if you have an external leak then you have a problem with the gasket, period.

If the inside threads & adapter are leaking then, yes teflon works great for that.