In need of some DIY help....

[Miller]

I bought a refugium off of a Boston Reefer the other day. It had (2) 1 inch bulkheads, (1) 1.5 inch bulkhead, and (1) hole for a 1 inch bulkhead. I bought a 1 inch bulkhead for the hole and male plugs for all the bulkheads. My plan was to plug off all the holes because I was not going to use them to plumb the refugium.

Well after trying a few times, 2 or 3 of the bulkheads are weeping a tiny amount of water out from the male plug. I wrapped the threads of the plugs with teflon tape.

I was pretty sure that I was doing it right, but with the weeping I must be doing something wrong. Any advice to get the weeping to stop would be greatly appreciated.

Or if by some chance anybody has a refugium with a 15x25 inch or smaller foot print that would trade for (3) 1 inch bulkheads and (1) 1.5 inch bulkhead let me know.

Thanks

 

[Scott]

Are you sure the leak is on the plug and not the seal on the hole?

Water has a funny way of looking like it's leaking where it's not.

 

[Miller]

Looks like it is from the plug, but I would not rule out the seal on the hole. Any suggestions for either problem?

 

[randoma]

Which side do you have the rubber gasket(s) on? And, are the bulkheads tight?

 

[Scott]

make sure the gasket is on the inside of the glass and tighten, but not so much that the gasket buckles or squeezes out.

also, be sure to wrap the tape in the opposite direction that you tighten, so that tightening the plug doesn't unwrap the tape.

 

[NateHanson]

make sure the gasket is on the inside of the glass and tighten, but not so much that the gasket buckles or squeezes out.

also, be sure to wrap the tape in the opposite direction that you tighten, so that tightening the plug doesn't unwrap the tape.

Actually the gasket does not always go inside or outside. What matters is that the gasket is not on the same side of the glass as the nut.

Bonz idea about the teflon tape is good. If wrapped wrong, or if you use too much that can cause a leak. Make sure you're putting just 2 or 3 wraps, and put it on clockwise (looking at the threaded end).

 

[jrmx635]

leaks

you should have let me know,I can fix that.
the bulk heads and seals where installed correctly so either they need additional tightening at the nut or the plugs need more teflon.
you should have enough teflon to make the plug screw in snuggly.
what I usually do is tighten everything snug and fill it,if something leaks I go a little more tight,if it still leaks go a little more.
this way you know you are not over tightening it.

 

[maurod]

go grab some teflon pipe paste and get rid of the teflon tape. It will seal better and safer.
M.

 

[Jim Tansey]

There is absolutely no need for teflon tape or thread sealent of any type, the gasket must be installed between the glass and feedthru flange, IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE FLANGE SIDE IS IN WATER OR NOT.

Jim

 

[Miller]

Thanks guys for the suggestions.

I PMed jrmx635 to see when he could help me out.

The teflon tape was for the plug not the bulk head.

 

[maurod]

There is absolutely no need for teflon tape or thread sealent of any type, the gasket must be installed between the glass and feedthru flange, IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE FLANGE SIDE IS IN WATER OR NOT.

Jim

You absolutely need pipe dope on the threads of the npt connections....unless it's leaking from the gasket, in which case, JIM IS CORRCECT make sure the gasket is flush and seated completely around the hole. IT is possible for the hole to not be centered on the gasket and cause problems.

M.

 

[KyleinCT]

second on the pipe dope!