Plumber
- Thread starter LtPiper
- Start date
phljess
New member
You will probably need to cut the pipe before the leaks and re do all the plumbing. This would be the best way to stop the leaks. I think tubing is much easier to work with. If you decide to use pipe again, you really need to prime it and glue it with "heavy duty PVC glue". Also make sure you twist the pipe as you put it into the fittings this will give it a better seal. Another alternative is to buy the stuff they sell at Lowes to fix leaking pipes but I would not recommend using it.
Salty Bginners
Premium Member
Isnt Nancys husband a plumber?
phljess
New member
Did you prime them and twist them as you put them together? If not that is why you have a leak. The pipe needs to go completely into the fitting and stop at the lip that is inside of the fitting. If not your going to have leaks. BTW, if you have a small leak with PVC you should be very concerned, it can completely come apart in the long run. Is the leak on the drain or return. If it is on the drain, it will be less likely to completely fail but if it is on the return side and there is enough pressure (which is unlikely) the whole joint may come out of the leaking fitting. You need to address this problem ASAP.
LtPiper
Active member
All of them are on the closed loop. 2 on the intake side and one one the return side. I used the fiberglass hi pressure repair tape on the return side and was $10 wasted. The one leak on the input side is the threaded connection at the pump. Yes I used teflon tape when connecting it. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do at this point. Any kind of replumbing is gonna be messy at best.
MattG
Premium Member
Only way I would do it is cut the leaking joints out like Phil suggested. When you put the pipe together make sure to use a good quality primer and glue. Make sure the pipes going together are smooth. A lot of the times these leaks are caused by small burs in the pipe edge. Gently sand the edge if needed. It's also a good idea to hold the joint together for a short while after gluing. Sometimes the pipes will push apart just a little causing problems.
For some reason closed loop plumbing is always more troublesome then other aquarium plumbing.
For some reason closed loop plumbing is always more troublesome then other aquarium plumbing.
Im14abeer
BRILLIANT!
Sorry I'm late to the discussion. The above posts concerning prep and assembly of the joints are accurate. As for the leak at the pump, did you put in a union? Just buy a new union and replumb from the pipe adapter to the union half. (Not good practice with steel unions by the way, you should always replace the whole union.) Make sure the threads on the inlet of the pump are perfect. You'll need to rent/buy a pipe tap if they aren't and chase them with it. The other joints, cut out and redo. Messy, functional plumbing is better than neat, leaking plumbing. I hate PVC, but it's the only option if you want hard pipe. Soldered and polished copper would look awesome though.
