Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
I have seen that PTSE in use but I guess the individuals that used it made it look all sloppy. I might have to follow Bud's idea and know what has worked for me and that's the pipe tape.
A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build
- Thread starter Dustin1300
- Start date
I have seen that PTSE in use but I guess the individuals that used it made it look all sloppy. I might have to follow Bud's idea and know what has worked for me and that's the pipe tape.
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Gotcha Ben. I used Blue Monster teflon tape on all the threaded fittings for the rest of the system and have not had any issues with leaking.
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
The stuff is pretty goopy and thick - hard to spread on the pipe right, but then you just wipe it off when you're done. Gets all over your fingers and generally makes a mess of anything you touch.
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
If it's really goopy and hard to work with, I'd think it would be inconsistent in getting spread on all the threads?
Haffs09
Member
Bummer, Dustin. I used this brand on all my fittings:
http://www.mrsupply.com/product.php?productid=63965
You still need to be careful, as I still overtightened and cracked a couple of bulkheads on my DT. I also cracked the venturi on my LifeReef skimmer. Fortunately, the crack was facing the basement block wall and not the general open basement area. That failure did not occur during the initial water tests. I woke up night to hear a silent overflow, went into my basement and found my sump dry!
http://www.mrsupply.com/product.php?productid=63965
You still need to be careful, as I still overtightened and cracked a couple of bulkheads on my DT. I also cracked the venturi on my LifeReef skimmer. Fortunately, the crack was facing the basement block wall and not the general open basement area. That failure did not occur during the initial water tests. I woke up night to hear a silent overflow, went into my basement and found my sump dry!
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
I am not a pretty boy but that Blue Monster Tape sounds like a winner. I just ordered 3 rolls.
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
They sell it at Lowes!
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Past week have been spending all my spare time planning our annual frag swap so have not had any time for plumbing during this week. In addition, some of the plumbing has been awaiting some backordered items and the new pump housing. Premium Aquatics and ReeFlo were very gracious and sent me a new housing and it came in yesterday so got the pump together last night. Should have some time this weekend to work on plumbing more and will be putting an order into Marco Rocks for a bunch of rock soon!
Thanks again Premium Aquatics and Reeflo!
Thanks again Premium Aquatics and Reeflo!
drummereef
Team RC
I used Rectorseal T+2 on my Reeflo Dart fittings - got it at Home Depot. Like Floyd said, Reeflo recommends Teflon Paste not tape. 
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
I used Rectorseal T+2 on my Reeflo Dart fittings - got it at Home Depot. Like Floyd said, Reeflo recommends Teflon Paste not tape.
Would have been better to realize this over a week ago. :lol:
drummereef
Team RC
Hahahaha. Hey, somedays even drummers have bad timing. :lmao:
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
lol, I guess that's true!
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Glad to save you a headache, that's what we're here for. Just go a step behind me and you'll save lots of money and headaches!!! :crazy1:
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
The build looks great! Can't wait to see this in a few months, and its always good to see fellow Hoosiers in the Aquarium hobby
Thanks, where you located and are you part of INDMAS?!?! If not, you should join us!
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Well...Made a trip over to Premium Aquatics today and got some valves and other things I needed to move forward with plumbing as they got delayed/backordered. Finally got a WXM so anxious to get it configured tomorrow! I've got some bad plumbing news and want some people's opinions on what I should do and will be posting shortly.
WXM should make it easier for feeding time so I don't forget to turn them back off when done with feeding and make better use of my expensive Vortechs. I'll be adding another 2 MP60s soon!
WXM should make it easier for feeding time so I don't forget to turn them back off when done with feeding and make better use of my expensive Vortechs. I'll be adding another 2 MP60s soon!
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Leaks...Around Overflow
Leaks...Around Overflow
After plumbing in the closed loop today, quickly discovered that the overflow box is leaking. The tank has 1.5 fittings glued in (Weld-On) my guess and then has had a layer of epoxy poured into the overflow box that makes about a 1/4" thick epoxy covering which I would guess was insurance for leaks. The epoxy (I'd assume this is what it is) has some cracks in it and a few of the fittings are dripping really fast between the acrylic and the fitting.
That being said, I'm looking to solutions...And think my options are limited to be honest. If I could do it over again I would just buy a new tank but I'm past that point and think I'm best off fixing the leak around the fittings. I believe the tank being in storage might have heated up some and the epoxy shrank/cracked some, which allowed the water to escape between the fittings and acrylic.
My ideal solution would be to try to scrape all the epoxy out, drill out holes bigger, and put SCH 80 bulkheads in place but due to the spacing, is not possible. I cannot just pop the fittings out either as they are held in place with weld on....
My solution at this point is to use Weld-On #16, put around the fittings on the bottomside of the tank, and buy some epoxy and pour it into place in the overflow box so it is about 1/2-3/4" thick. (I've never worked with epoxy and would like to get one that's reef safe, becomes very hard, and is resistant to cracking and sw over a long period of time)
Below are some pictures and would appreciate some feedback if you have any on the subject.
Underside:
Topside:
Drying now.....Ready for a solution that I'm ready to implement ASAP!
Leaks...Around Overflow
After plumbing in the closed loop today, quickly discovered that the overflow box is leaking. The tank has 1.5 fittings glued in (Weld-On) my guess and then has had a layer of epoxy poured into the overflow box that makes about a 1/4" thick epoxy covering which I would guess was insurance for leaks. The epoxy (I'd assume this is what it is) has some cracks in it and a few of the fittings are dripping really fast between the acrylic and the fitting.
That being said, I'm looking to solutions...And think my options are limited to be honest. If I could do it over again I would just buy a new tank but I'm past that point and think I'm best off fixing the leak around the fittings. I believe the tank being in storage might have heated up some and the epoxy shrank/cracked some, which allowed the water to escape between the fittings and acrylic.
My ideal solution would be to try to scrape all the epoxy out, drill out holes bigger, and put SCH 80 bulkheads in place but due to the spacing, is not possible. I cannot just pop the fittings out either as they are held in place with weld on....
My solution at this point is to use Weld-On #16, put around the fittings on the bottomside of the tank, and buy some epoxy and pour it into place in the overflow box so it is about 1/2-3/4" thick. (I've never worked with epoxy and would like to get one that's reef safe, becomes very hard, and is resistant to cracking and sw over a long period of time)
Below are some pictures and would appreciate some feedback if you have any on the subject.
Underside:
Topside:
Drying now.....Ready for a solution that I'm ready to implement ASAP!
