Bulkhead washer in or out if using silicone?

[budsreef]

I've drilled a 100G Rubbermaid Stock Tank for a 2" bulkhead and I can't get it to not leak. The leak is so slow the water on the floor evaporates between drips. Instead of fussing with it any further I'm going to use silicone to seal it. Should I keep the rubber washer on it or take it out and just let the silicone act as the washer? Anyone ever done this before? Thanks for any inputs.

 

[FutureInterest]

I had a similar issue with my refugium. I saw no reason not to use both and ~2 years later its still leak free.

 

[roland jacques]

Keep the washer. Its fine to libiraly sillicon the the washer but you need the washer on the correct side of the glass/plastic ( under the flange not the nut). I put sillicon on all bulkhead fittings that i cant afford to have leak.

 

[skriz]

I've always used both.

Btw, let me know when's a good time for you and I can swing by and give you a hand. It ran pretty late the other day and Collins; had to go!

 

[george]

It is possible to over-tighten bulkheads causing the washer to distend and leak. Have you tried replacing the washer?