Should I seal the barbs on my Dtek blocks?

[SoulEdge]

I was hooking up and clamping my tygon to my dtek WW and NB blocks and I noticed that the barbs were in loose enough that when I twisted the tubing once it was on securely, it would actually twist the barb. A 5 minute leak test in the sink did not show any leaks but I was wondering if I should go back and unscrew the barbs and put some teflon tape on the threads and put them back in. Or maybe put some silicon around the edges (although this wouldn't be preferable since I have some the polly tops and it wouldn't look as nice).

[nikhsub1]

Wait, the dtek barbs have O-rings to seal, no goop or silicone needed. I would check to make sure though, take the blocks out and look. Then tighten the barbs up only just a bit more than hand tight otherwise you risk cracking the top.

[Soja]

I had the same "loose" barb problem on my tc-4. Even though the o-rings make a good seal it only took a slight turn from connected tubing to loosen the barb out of the threads so I decided to seal it permanently with some goop.

[SemiCycle]

This is new to me. The barbs are so tight on my Dtek Spiral, I couldn't even hope to take them off (without some type of tool). They are also sealed one with something...silicone?

Are you using the metal or clear top?

[nikhsub1]

Originally posted by SemiCycle
This is new to me. The barbs are so tight on my Dtek Spiral, I couldn't even hope to take them off (without some type of tool). They are also sealed one with something...silicone?

Are you using the metal or clear top?
Semi within the last 6 months or so, dtek has new barbs that seal with o-rings, similar to the eheim barbs, very cool design. The older barbs (which you must have) are of the general type that need to be gooped in.

[SemiCycle]

Originally posted by nikhsub1

Semi within the last 6 months or so, dtek has new barbs that seal with o-rings, similar to the eheim barbs, very cool design. The older barbs (which you must have) are of the general type that need to be gooped in.

I was about to ask you about the o-rings next. Thanks for the heads up.

[DayUSeX]

hmm i have a DTEK kit arriving and was wondering what "goop" youw ould recommend for sealing, becuase curretnnly i just use the tape that plummers use.

[cpufan]

Originally posted by DayUSeX
hmm i have a DTEK kit arriving and was wondering what "goop" youw ould recommend for sealing, becuase curretnnly i just use the tape that plummers use.

You won't need it. If you decide to use something, I wouldn't use the Goop (brand name) stuff. If I recall correctly, Goop hardens like silicon. The best way to seal the threads is to use teflon tape or plumbers thread sealing stuff (in a tube or can) with teflon.

Someone straighten me out if I misunderstood Goop.

[feyd83]

I used teflon tape on mine, but they still would loosen if I turned the tubing. I'm rather paranoid about leaks, so I took some good ol' Kwik drying JB Weld and sealed the area around the outside of the nut of the barb. It works very well, and the Weld can be chipped off rather easily with a pair of pliers if you want to do so later.

[nikhsub1]

You should NOT use teflon tape on poly topped blocks!!! This makes the barb diameter larger and will put more stress on the threads and could easily cause cracks in the top!!!!

[unix_foo]

You guys might wanna check this out.

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=680791