I just tried to install a dart pump and no matter what I do, I cannot stop the intake side to stop leaking. I also have another dart that I think may need new seals, does anyone know where I can get them and how to install. Anyone with any help for either matter will be greatly appreciated. I thank you in advance.
It's leaking
- Thread starter smchais
- Start date
jeffbrig
Premium Member
I had the same issue getting my inlet fittings to be drip-free. I ended up using a TON of teflon tape, and really had to crank down on the fitting. I've heard others say that using a liquid thread sealant is much easier, but I've never tried it.
As for the seals, try calling sequence directly. They were very helpful when I have called them in the past.
As for the seals, try calling sequence directly. They were very helpful when I have called them in the past.
coralfragger101
Gone Postal
I'll Third the teflon paste and calling sequence.
I used paste and tape on my darts and they did not leak from day one - HOWEVER, the extra paste that was on the inside of the plumbing shot through the system and I ended up with white spots of paste in the display tank that aren't the easiest things in the world to remove. That being said - it did work. The only reason I didn't suggest using the paste when we plumbed your dart was because of what happened to me and I "assumed" tape alone would work.
One of my darts does have a leaking seal and sequence sent me the repair kit free of charge. Two months or so later it is still sitting here. I haven't gotten around to changing the seal yet but apparently it isn't very complicated. The pump doesn't drip water but is creating kind of a brown salt creep on the back of the seal that needs replaced.
BTW Steve - I survived today after only 3 hrs of sleep last night.
I used paste and tape on my darts and they did not leak from day one - HOWEVER, the extra paste that was on the inside of the plumbing shot through the system and I ended up with white spots of paste in the display tank that aren't the easiest things in the world to remove. That being said - it did work. The only reason I didn't suggest using the paste when we plumbed your dart was because of what happened to me and I "assumed" tape alone would work.
One of my darts does have a leaking seal and sequence sent me the repair kit free of charge. Two months or so later it is still sitting here. I haven't gotten around to changing the seal yet but apparently it isn't very complicated. The pump doesn't drip water but is creating kind of a brown salt creep on the back of the seal that needs replaced.
BTW Steve - I survived today after only 3 hrs of sleep last night.
Chuck, I am glad that you did well today. What is this paste that you are talking about? So, if you aren't using the kit, why isn't it here at my house for me to use? Just kidding. Also, Isn't a waste that I need to have the power turned back so far so I don't have bubbles go back to the display? I am going back to Home Depot in the morning to get another fitting to try that. More Teflon tape, and some filter material to limit some of the bubbles.
Jeff, What liquid thread sealant are you talking about? and is it reef safe?
Anyone else with any experience to offer?
Jeff, What liquid thread sealant are you talking about? and is it reef safe?
Anyone else with any experience to offer?
coralfragger101
Gone Postal
The paste is simply called teflon paste. It's in a tube. May very well be what others are referring to as a liquid.
I'll get around to using the kit one of these days when I have some spare time that I can dedicate to working on my own tank instead of someone elses.
It's on my list for today but I'll never get to it.
Is the Dart a waste? Yes and No. I don't think I was the one that recommended that pump to you but I like them VERY much.
It's like with Adrian. He was going to use his dart as his return pump on his 210. When I realized that he really wasn't going to use it for anything else except T'ing off back to the fuge, I told him no. It was/is overkill and he's using a smaller pump. The dart puts out like 3600 gal/hr at 0 head. Without looking things up, lets say it puts out about 2500 after going up 6'. 2500 gph would overflow most tanks if left wide open. The good thing about the dart is that it CAN be choked back without harming the pump and will use less electricity that way as well.
Keep in mind that you are T'ing off for several items. None of which require a great deal of flow but as you add your items into the mix then you will have to open the dart up a little bit more for each item until things are running and set with the flows that you want through each. This also happens to be the negative of using a bigger pump for multiple items. EVERY time you change the flow to one item it changes the flow to ALL items. Getting the right mix to every item can be a bit tricky.
Your micro bubbles: If you make a DIY sump with baffles and make it so each section is larger than the next with your pump return section being the largest of all is probably the best way to make sure you don't have micro bubbles. Some people (including ourselves) choose not to do this because they are trying to incorporate a fuge into the mix and a sump is only so big. In your situation I think you are going to find that once you put the overflow water into a filter sock that the problem "may" end. You can also try playing around with the outlet of the overflow within the sump. Making an upside down T and adding a 90 on each end point back up towards the surface may also help.
I have some micro bubbles because of the way mine is plumbed. I have "some" water dumping very close to the inlet of the pump for reasons we won't get into now. The underwater upside down T hasn't worked completely in my case. The next thing I'm going to try is basically extending that outlet up out of the water and putting sponge around it. It will end up looking like the output of your ASM skimmer. This may work with the amount of flow I'm talking about. I wouldn't suggest that in your case. You might create a fountain that hits the bottom of your tank if you try that one.
I'll get around to using the kit one of these days when I have some spare time that I can dedicate to working on my own tank instead of someone elses.
It's on my list for today but I'll never get to it.
Is the Dart a waste? Yes and No. I don't think I was the one that recommended that pump to you but I like them VERY much.
It's like with Adrian. He was going to use his dart as his return pump on his 210. When I realized that he really wasn't going to use it for anything else except T'ing off back to the fuge, I told him no. It was/is overkill and he's using a smaller pump. The dart puts out like 3600 gal/hr at 0 head. Without looking things up, lets say it puts out about 2500 after going up 6'. 2500 gph would overflow most tanks if left wide open. The good thing about the dart is that it CAN be choked back without harming the pump and will use less electricity that way as well.
Keep in mind that you are T'ing off for several items. None of which require a great deal of flow but as you add your items into the mix then you will have to open the dart up a little bit more for each item until things are running and set with the flows that you want through each. This also happens to be the negative of using a bigger pump for multiple items. EVERY time you change the flow to one item it changes the flow to ALL items. Getting the right mix to every item can be a bit tricky.
Your micro bubbles: If you make a DIY sump with baffles and make it so each section is larger than the next with your pump return section being the largest of all is probably the best way to make sure you don't have micro bubbles. Some people (including ourselves) choose not to do this because they are trying to incorporate a fuge into the mix and a sump is only so big. In your situation I think you are going to find that once you put the overflow water into a filter sock that the problem "may" end. You can also try playing around with the outlet of the overflow within the sump. Making an upside down T and adding a 90 on each end point back up towards the surface may also help.
I have some micro bubbles because of the way mine is plumbed. I have "some" water dumping very close to the inlet of the pump for reasons we won't get into now. The underwater upside down T hasn't worked completely in my case. The next thing I'm going to try is basically extending that outlet up out of the water and putting sponge around it. It will end up looking like the output of your ASM skimmer. This may work with the amount of flow I'm talking about. I wouldn't suggest that in your case. You might create a fountain that hits the bottom of your tank if you try that one.
coralfragger101
Gone Postal
Good Job
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