Leaking Uniseals

[®eefer]

I just bought a DIY calcium reactor...it is a double chamber and has two uniseals for the conenction between chambers. The uniseals leak just about a drop or so every 5 minutes. Does anyone have a trick to get them completely water tight?

 

[phatphisher]

silicone

 

[®eefer]

Have you used silicone to seal a uniseal? Do you remove the uniseal (real PITA) silicone, then pop it back in, or can you just silicone the outside of the seal?

 

[Captain Quirk]

Pull the ring out. Bathe it in silicone grease. Get the ring back in there, then toss a bit more grease on the face. Twist on, cross fingers.

Sorry, but if you don't get behind the ring you might get a leak from there. Also, have you checked to make sure there are no cracks/scratches/whatever in the mating surfaces? Just a thought...

 

[®eefer]

When you say silicone grease, do you mean glue?

 

[JenDub]

silicone grease can be purchased at spa/pool stores as spa lube. Make sure it says 100% non toxic.

They might be generic uniseals, they really stink. Real uniseals work great if the hole is smooth and properly sized...

 

[loc01]

I think it's a bad idea to use the uniseal for the calcium reactor especially if ii runs external because it always has some pressure inside the chamber and you don't know when it's gonna leak. You can use aquarium silicon to glue that seal onto the chamber and smear some on the tube then slide it in there, wait for 24hrs before you can use the reactor.

Loc

 

[®eefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8189943#post8189943 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by loc01
I think it's a bad idea to use the uniseal for the calcium reactor especially if ii runs external because it always has some pressure inside the chamber and you don't know when it's gonna leak. You can use aquarium silicon to glue that seal onto the chamber and smear some on the tube then slide it in there, wait for 24hrs before you can use the reactor.

Loc

I was really hoping you would reply...thanks Loc01. I am actaully in the process of doing this right now. After removing the uniseals completely I just couldnt trust silicone grease as a sealant. I will be glueing the uniseals and pvc in place with silicon aquarium sealant.

What do you typically use on your reactors? It seems that it would be tough to port sealed holes on the sides of such a round surface.

 

[Captain Quirk]

Perhaps I don't understand, but from the way you described it, you'll be gluing EVERYTHING with the silicone sealant.

I'm wondering if this makes sense for this application. I mean, does the thing ever need to come apart again afterwards? If so I would discourage using it for the face sealing surface. Silicone sealant for the "back" makes sense, but for the rest? I dunno... Might want to give that some more thought.

Just MY thought...

 

[®eefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8191973#post8191973 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kernelangus
Perhaps I don't understand, but from the way you described it, you'll be gluing EVERYTHING with the silicone sealant.

I'm wondering if this makes sense for this application. I mean, does the thing ever need to come apart again afterwards? If so I would discourage using it for the face sealing surface. Silicone sealant for the "back" makes sense, but for the rest? I dunno... Might want to give that some more thought.

Just MY thought...

This is for a "T" at the bottom of both chambers connecting the two. I really dont ever see a need to remove this section of plumbing, even for a really good cleaning, which should never need to be done, I would not remove this section again. Everything else plumbed on it is quick release or union, with the exception of the top plates which have nylon screws around the tops.

 

[Captain Quirk]

Sounds reasonable. Just thought I'd ask...

 

[dattack]

Sometimes the uniseals are just old. Just need to replace them if that's the case. Usually uniseals are leak free if the hole is cut correctly and with a thicker acrylic tubing, there it is less prone to leak.

 

[loc01]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8191934#post8191934 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ®eefer
I was really hoping you would reply...thanks Loc01. I am actaully in the process of doing this right now. After removing the uniseals completely I just couldnt trust silicone grease as a sealant. I will be glueing the uniseals and pvc in place with silicon aquarium sealant.

What do you typically use on your reactors? It seems that it would be tough to port sealed holes on the sides of such a round surface.

You are welcomed. I glue all my plumbings.

Loc

 

[®eefer]

I ended up siliconing them in. Looks like they should have a very good seal now. Loc, my reactor looks almost exactly like the one in yours there. Can you shoot a close up of how the chambers are connected?

 

[loc01]

Sorry I don't have any close up picture. Why don't you post yours' picture I can tell you what's the difference?

Loc

 

[Yinger]

loc to the rescue again haha. My reactor is up and running now loc, no leaks. thanks again for helping me!

 

[loc01]

Hey you are welcomed. If it leaks again I think you should toss that reactor with 1 leg away and get my dual chambers hahaha.

Loc

 

[Yinger]

haha, i'll definitely keep that in mind.

 

[loc01]

I am just kidding. Did you have it tune in yet? what's your effluent rate and co2? What's the ph at the effluent?

Loc

 

[®eefer]

I will post up pics tomorrow as that's when I'll be water testing my newly glued seals. I think the silicone sealant has got to do the trick...if I could only make it look nice and clean.