Need advice on loose bulkhead connection

[Fish Tank Travis]

Ok, I have the H2Overflows on my tank and the siphon stopper returns.



The problem I'm having is that the 90 degree barb fittings on the back side are quite loose. They can be wiggled a bit and there is a gap.




So, I'm a bit worried that the gap might not be leak proof even if I pvc glue it. Any thoughts on this? Should try to replace these fittings with something else that has a better fit?

Thanks for all of your help!

 

[knobhill]

Use lots of Teflon tape, that should close the gap. Plus, you can reuse the fittings should you ever relocate the tank.

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

So, I can wrap the fitting with teflon tape, shove it in until it's snug, and then it will be water tight without needing to glue it?

This would be great because I do want to be able to reuse the fittings in the even I ever have to take them apart. Can I use this method with all of my pvc connections so that I can have the ability to take them apart?

 

[BIG-G]

looks to me like the hole in the wall of the aquarium is to big for the size fitting you are using. If so you will need to upsize the fitting. You may have to find some kind of thread adapter to compensate for the hole size.

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

looks to me like the hole in the wall of the aquarium is to big for the size fitting you are using. If so you will need to upsize the fitting. You may have to find some kind of thread adapter to compensate for the hole size.

I think you're seeing my terrible plastidip job. I taped around the bulkhead fittings before painting it. Then, when I took the tap off it left a tiny gap around the bulkhead fitting where light can get through. It's not at all noticeable from the front of the tank.

 

[BIG-G]

Ah. Okay. So Is it the elbow that is loose in the bulk head? If its not an insane amount of slop in the fitting I would just put a lot of PVC cement on the two fitting when you glue them up.

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

Yes, it's the elbow that's loose. I think I will try the teflon tape route, because it allows me to take it apart, and if that doesn't work then I think I will try to get some new pvc parts that fit better before gluing.

 

[knobhill]

And yes, you can use Teflon tape for all of your threaded fittings. Be careful not to over tighten the fitting or else you will crack the bulkhead. Good luck !

 

[isde02]

Or you could try a threaded female barb adapter so that you can wrap the threads with Teflon tape and screw the fitting on there.

 

[JK47]

I have those type connectors as well. They are a solvent type fitting commonly referred to as "slip". A few YouTube videos will show you how to apply it. Easy stuff I promise. Slip meaning you can only use pvc cement. Dont use tape or the pressure from the pump will pop it out resulting in dead stock and a wet floor. A thicker cement like Christie's Red Hot works best for me.