There is a persistent ripple of water in the front of the bowl. There is no water going into the overflow in the tank. If I turn off the water supply, the water in the tank drops only about 1/4-1/2" and the tank does not empty. What parts do I need to replace? We have already carefully sealed the rim hose where it attaches to the tank. Thank you.

We have already carefully sealed the rim hose where it attaches to the tank.
please explain that a little better. it is probably the problem if it means what i think it means???

Generally, water can only leave the tank to the bowl thru or around the flush valve. Have you checked the flapper?

That is what I thought also, especially since it only drops to a certain point and stops.

m & m , he said when the water is turned off, the level only drops 1/2 inch or so. it can't be the flapper if that is the case..

One person asked for more information about the rim hose.

The rim hose extends from the float valve assembly to the front wall of the tank. We drained the tank and disconnected the hose from the wall of the tank. Allowed to dry 24h and then dried further where the hose attaches to the tank using a hair dryer. Then sealed the hose to the tank with plumbers silicone. Allowed it to cure for 24h.

Problem persists

It is most likely because of this hose that you are siphoning off water. You should be using a clip on air gap to prevent this. Sticking the fill tube down the overflow is the most likely cause of your problem, or a crack in the overflow to where the water stops. Generally when a fill tube is causing a siphon, it doesn't stop- it simply causes the fill valve to trigger and refill the tank.