Return Plumbing Question

[Shrooms]

Hi all, quick question. I wanted to know if it was necessary to use thread sealant or teflon for the threaded reducer into the bulkhead and the NPT adapter threaded into the reducer. I’ve tightened them as much as possible and I doubt it’ll leak but figured I should ask.

I also realized that when threading the NPT into the reducer it only went about half way is that normal? I used crescent wrenches and threaded it in till almost flush but it didn’t seem happy about doing so.

 

[UncommonSense]

Hi all, quick question. I wanted to know if it was necessary to use thread sealant or teflon for the threaded reducer into the bulkhead and the NPT adapter threaded into the reducer. I’ve tightened them as much as possible and I doubt it’ll leak but figured I should ask.

I also realized that when threading the NPT into the reducer it only went about half way is that normal? I used crescent wrenches and threaded it in till almost flush but it didn’t seem happy about doing so.

It’s not necessary to use teflon tape or paint-on thread sealant for fittings inside the display, any leakage through the thread channel will be negligible!

NPT is actually a tapering thread type; the base of the threads is the widest point, so it is normal for parts to not fully thread together until they bottom-out! (If they do easily bottom out, there’s usually a defective/undersized part involved!)


On a related note, what size is this tank? And how many returns does it have? — I ask because you should be able to swap that threaded reducing bushing for a 1” T fitting, then reduce to 3/4” on both T outlets so you can run dual 3/4” nozzles with little to no plumbing flow restriction!

 

[Shrooms]

It’s not necessary to use teflon tape or paint-on thread sealant for fittings inside the display, any leakage through the thread channel will be negligible!

NPT is actually a tapering thread type; the base of the threads is the widest point, so it is normal for parts to not fully thread together until they bottom-out! (If they do easily bottom out, there’s usually a defective/undersized part involved!)


On a related note, what size is this tank? And how many returns does it have? — I ask because you should be able to swap that threaded reducing bushing for a 1” T fitting, then reduce to 3/4” on both T outlets so you can run dual 3/4” nozzles with little to no plumbing flow restriction!

Cool thank you for the info! Hopefully tightening it that much won’t cause any issues. The tank is a 40 gal, and has another return setup exactly like the one pictured. 3/4” reducer was only necessary for the RFG with the ideal flow rate as the 1” RFG required more pump output.

 

[UncommonSense]

Cool thank you for the info! Hopefully tightening it that much won’t cause any issues. The tank is a 40 gal, and has another return setup exactly like the one pictured. 3/4” reducer was only necessary for the RFG with the ideal flow rate as the 1” RFG required more pump output.

Ah! Yeah at 40G, you’re more than good at 3/4” plumbing!

10x turnovers on that tank is on the low end of a 3/4” RFG’s recommended flow rates!

 

[mfinn]

I didn't on my inlets 14 years ago.