Plumbing Question

[Pez Vela]

Maybe a silly question, but I need some advice.

I was doing my first "wet" test on my aquarium and sump and noticed very, very slow drips coming from one or two of my PVC unions. I hand tightened them up and they still dripped very slightly. I checked the rubber "O" rings and they were seated fine. I heard that some people coat the "O" rings with silicone before tightening. Does that help?

Any other advice would also be appreciated. Thanks

mike

 

[Ebmorri]

silicone grease should help on the O rings. Are theses the bulkheads?

 

[reefnetworth]

yes, use silicone and give it time to cure fully, and that should fix it!

John M.

 

[reefnetworth]

if you use the grease make sure not to get it in the inside of the through holes where flow travels.

John M. :smokin:

 

[Pez Vela]

Thanks. Is there a difference between silicone grease and standard silcone from the tube?

Ebmorri: Yes, one is a bulkhead/union combo and the other is a regular union.

mike

 

[atoa]

You may want to use is silicone lubricant which is different from standard silicone. If you use standard silicone then it may become difficult to separate the unions when needed.

Silicone lubricant helps to create a better seal with o-rings. I've used it successfully with unions. I also put a little in the threads to make it easier to tight the union.