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12/17/2017, 08:44 PM | #1 |
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Leaking PVC
Anyone have any suggestions as to how to best seal a slight leak on PVC pipe taking water from display tank to refugium?The only prior experience I have with leaks is with glass tanks, which I normally resolved with silicone, not certain what would be the equivalent for PVC joints............
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12/17/2017, 08:50 PM | #2 | |
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Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476 |
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12/17/2017, 09:01 PM | #3 |
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ok thanks. Are there any temporary fixes it might take some me some time to get everything together for a re-do.
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12/17/2017, 09:24 PM | #4 |
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Out of curiosity, was this on a new setup or a leak that developed after a number of years?
Either way I would completely redo it, like slief said. |
12/17/2017, 09:41 PM | #5 |
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Once again, slief's recommendation is correct. I really don't like or recommend "band aids" but if you promise us that you'll fix it properly... jb water weld may help or a bead of gorilla glue. Just turn the system off for a bit and let things harden nicely before turning back on.
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12/17/2017, 09:49 PM | #6 |
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If there is no pump pressure, you can wrap the joint with black electric tape. Dry the area first and wrap. It will hold you over.
Cheers! Mark
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2x 65g displays with a 30g cryptic refugium and 30g sump - 55g reef 30g Bio-cube reef - I.M. 30g reef - 45g freshwater |
12/17/2017, 10:59 PM | #7 |
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12/18/2017, 07:46 AM | #8 |
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Flex seal, silicone, tape, plumbing repair wrap all may by you some time but in order to fix must take apart and redo
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12/18/2017, 07:50 AM | #9 |
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Flex seal...
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12/18/2017, 08:46 AM | #10 |
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I have had good luck sealing leaking pvc with 2 part marine expoxy. I have used it for leaking well pumps, irrigation systems and my aquarium plumbing when I had to get creative converting metric to standard.
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John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+. |
12/18/2017, 03:28 PM | #11 |
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You were not very clear on where the leak is. If it is at a bulk head you mY be able to just tighten up the nut a little on the bulkhead. Another posibility is if it is leaking at a union. The union could be loose or it may need a new o-ring. A drain line should not have any preasure on it, so even pressed together joints should not leak in most cases. Even if it was glued, it clearly was porely done. You may be able to just twist the joint apart. Just be sure to hold both sides so you don't stress the tank or bulkhead. If that fails and it is a glued joint leaking turn the water off and dry it thourghly. If you can get to the inside of the joint apply a bit of PVC glue all around the joint in the inside. That should take care of it. If nothing else PVC glue on the outside should be enough to seal a drain line leak.
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240G mixed reef, 29G SPS/LPS clam tank, 50G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 300g mixed reef, 50g cube |
12/19/2017, 12:15 AM | #12 |
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240G mixed reef, 29G SPS/LPS clam tank, 50G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 300g mixed reef, 50g cube |
12/20/2017, 03:54 PM | #13 |
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thanks guys!!! It ended up being the nut, so quick fix. Next step is to figure out what to do to prevent it from loosening with time. Thanks!!!
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12/28/2017, 08:27 PM | #14 |
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I used to use teflon tape wrapped around the threads to see if it made a difference as far as that goes, but sadly I have ocd and check the nut more often then not. It's worth a try!
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12/29/2017, 07:55 AM | #15 | |
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12/29/2017, 03:31 PM | #16 | |
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I'm assuming that you just apply it directly to the threads and then connect the couplings like you normally would? Instead of the Teflon you just apply Oatey instead.
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12/29/2017, 03:35 PM | #17 | |
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12/29/2017, 03:42 PM | #18 | |
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-saf1 Current Tank Info: 210 gallon mixed reef |
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12/29/2017, 04:00 PM | #19 | |
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John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+. |
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12/29/2017, 04:07 PM | #20 | |
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https://www.rectorseal.com/rectorseal-no-5/ You should NEVER use teflon tape on a plastic fitting. REPEAT NEVER! Read this: http://www.lascofittings.com/threads As to the bulkhead, if you are talking about the internal threads, see above, but if you are talking about the nut that holds it on, the external thread, no need for sealant. That is what the gasket is for. I have some that are over 5 years old, never seen a drop from bulkhead. Just be sure all surfaces are CLEAN! Then clean them again! Here is a great write up that Russ did on the Neptune forum. https://forum.neptunesystems.com/sho...mbing-Fittings
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Pete "I never make mistakes... I thought I did once, but I was wrong" Current Tank Info: In the process - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661614 Last edited by Member No. 1; 12/29/2017 at 04:10 PM. Reason: Added content |
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12/29/2017, 04:10 PM | #21 |
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Thanks all. Didn't mean to hijack the thread but this was the last place I saw current that was talking about sealing properly. Since I am in the final stages of plumbing after the initial check and moving it into the house I have time to do it without Teflon
Thanks again - also for the URL's there Member!
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-saf1 Current Tank Info: 210 gallon mixed reef |
12/29/2017, 04:12 PM | #22 | |
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From Russ... "Please be aware that Oatey Gray and Great White pipe joint compounds are NOT plastic-safe. Some Rectorseal brand products also are not safe for plastics. If you look at other similar products, be sure to check the label carefully - if it doesn't specifically say that is for use with plastic pipe fittings, assume that it is not safe."
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Pete "I never make mistakes... I thought I did once, but I was wrong" Current Tank Info: In the process - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661614 |
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12/29/2017, 06:17 PM | #23 |
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12/29/2017, 11:36 PM | #24 | |
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Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476 Last edited by slief; 12/29/2017 at 11:56 PM. |
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12/30/2017, 10:16 PM | #25 |
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Yea, I usually use the great white on pvc. I’m not sure what he meant but it is fine for pvc.
Saf1, u are correct that u just apply it to the threads. It is messy so try not to put to much excess because it doesn’t clean up easily. |
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