Sump help
- Thread starter Joypaws83
- Start date
Joypaws83
Active member
YesThe smooth pipe? Sorry, I’m a very visual person
Okay, that doesn’t make sense to me, unless I’m misunderstanding. Can you post a pic on how you had it set up or did you already glue it?Yes
Joypaws83
Active member
It’s glued now, I switched the pipe out. First pic is what is on there now, second pic was the leaky one. I’m probably confusing myself, my head hurts with this thing nowOh, and me misunderstanding is quite likely
Attachments
I think I’m following now. Is it no longer leaking? Hope so. Grab a beer and relaxIt’s glued now, I switched the pipe out. First pic is what is on there now, second pic was the leaky one. I’m probably confusing myself, my head hurts with this thing now
Joypaws83
Active member
I’m waiting for it to dry right now. I’m seriously hoping this works. And yes, I need all the beers!!I think I’m following now. Is it no longer leaking? Hope so. Grab a beer and relax
for you. /griss tips a beer your way.
Joypaws83
Active member
Too late for that, will go that route with an upgraded tank in the future
Vinny Kreyling
Premium Member
For future reference - teflon tape is NOT recommended for pvc connections, a sealant is.
In depth article on this- Assembling Threaded Plastic Fittings | LASCO Fittings
Sealant for PVC pipes
In depth article on this- Assembling Threaded Plastic Fittings | LASCO Fittings
Sealant for PVC pipes
@Joypaws83 how’s the overflow doing with the change?
Joypaws83
Active member
Awesome, how’s the livestock looking?It’s not leaking anymore
Joypaws83
Active member
The bubble coral and hammer coral bit the dust along with the peppermint shrimp. The clowns are as happy as can be
Sorry to hear about the losses. But, we’ve all been there. Keep your head up and moving forward with the tank.
BeanAnimal
Premium Member
I would give it some time before you add more coral. Give things time to settle in and find a balance.
Joypaws83
Active member
For sure! I’m actually setting up a 10 gallon nano, the tank is just sitting there and it’s brand new. This hasn’t deterred me from the hobby,
happens!BeanAnimal
Premium Member
Thousands of connections under my belt over 35+ years of plumbing everything under the sun, using just about every type of fitting imaginable.
With high quality plastic NPT tapered fittings, PTFE tape is pointless and does little more than put stress on the fitting due to reducing the mating tolerance. So in that context the LASCO instructions are correct.
However:
LASCO (and other low quality) PVC fittings. More often than not, the threaded fittings are made to such poor tolerances and quality control that you will rarely get a leak free seal using non hardening sealant (PTFE or similar) paste. The gaps at any reasonable tightness are just too large to prevent the paste from being pushed out by even modest pressure. Tightening the fitting more than hand tight + a 1/4 to 1/2 turn is going to do nothing but almost guarantee stress failure (splitting) down the road. So a wrap or two (no more than 3) of regular weight PTFE tape under the joint compound helps to tighten up thread tolerances and make up for poorly mated injection molds. Again, no more than hand tight + 1/4 to 1/2 turn.
Bringing us to the next piece of advice... buy better fittings than the garbage sold at the box store!
Joypaws83
Active member
Definitely! I’m not adding anything for a long time
