Live well removal

Before you put anything on the threads, clean up the old ones, and see how many turns you can get by hand. There is often a mix of straight and tapered threads in this particular connection, and you end up with a shallow, weak connection.
 
Thanks I definitely will do some cleanup. Should I try a bronze thread to screw in first to make sure threads are clean first or am I thinking overkill.
 
Replacing it with a rule 700 gph airaitor pump. Does anyone know if it has tapered threads?
 
the valve and the aerator pump have matching tapered threads (NPT). I used some pipe sealant blue stuff. with teflon tape I had a tiny drip