Uniseals

calvin415

New member
Anyone using uniseals instead of bulkheads? I found a rating of 40PSI, but I don't know what kind of pressure is found at the bottom of a tank, if I were to use them over bulkheads for a Closed Loop... Anyone seen these used over traditional bulkheads?
 
why not just use a bulkhead? doesn't seem work the risk to try a uniseal when bulkheads are tried and true.
 
I use them and love them. I have them in my water change system and will use them on my next Ca reactor I build
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13139897#post13139897 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shiveley
why not just use a bulkhead? doesn't seem work the risk to try a uniseal when bulkheads are tried and true.

Because bulkheads are tried and true as a pain in the A! Uniseals are so much faster and easier to install. No gluing, no threading, no gaskets. Just drill and push it into the hole. I just wasn't sure if there was something I was missing? It's worked in all my other applications, but I haven't tried the bottom of a tank before.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13140185#post13140185 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by buck50bmg
I use them and love them. I have them in my water change system and will use them on my next Ca reactor I build

I love them too, just wasn't sure how much pressure is at the bottom of a tank...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13140198#post13140198 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by buck50bmg
Oh yea, 33 ft (1 ATM) of seawater is just 14.7psi.

Thanks! That's what I was looking for, sounds like this will be a piece of cake!


Anyone else have anything to add?
 
my thoughts, a uniseal is fine for a seal.

a bulkhead is about more than the seal though, it provides reinforcment to the weakened panel, taking some of the load. a uniseal wont do that for you.

Id stick with bulkheads for your tank, uniseals where its not glass or acylic. something with alot more strength and no risk of cracking. I used one to plumb into a drain in the ceiling.
 
I can understand that arguement for glass, but not for acrylic... The bottom of an acrylic tank must be fully supported already so drilling a hole doesn't change the fact that the entire tank bottom is still fully supported. No risk of cracking.
 
true, I was thinking more on the back. and still, acrylic is not weakened as much by the hole either. I do still like bulkheads on a tank, less chance of hitting the pipe and pulling it out or pushing it in, or torqueing it or who knows.

but it would probably be fine 99.999% of the time
 
Oh these don't move easy at all! You would have to fall into the darn thing to get it to move, and even then it might not budge. ;) To get the pipe into the fitting to begin with you have to lube it and push like hell! :D I talked with a buddy who goes to CA all the time, he said Uniseals are what all the distributors use now... No one has bulkheads.

I feel it's safe, I just like to know others have used them personally. I guess I'll just be the guinea pig for everyone. :D
 
I would worry about them developing leaks over time. Awhile back I read where some (I emphasize some) were having trouble w/ skimmers that had uni-seals developing a slow drip type leak. To me it's not worth the risk. I like setting up a system w/ the intentions of it lasting the next 30 years. Will it have to, highly doubtful (unless your PaulB), but it's nice to have that assurance. Especially when your talking about enough water to ruin your carpet/wood floors, subfloor, and structure. JMHO.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13141441#post13141441 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kaos
I would worry about them developing leaks over time. Awhile back I read where some (I emphasize some) were having trouble w/ skimmers that had uni-seals developing a slow drip type leak. To me it's not worth the risk. I like setting up a system w/ the intentions of it lasting the next 30 years. Will it have to, highly doubtful (unless your PaulB), but it's nice to have that assurance. Especially when your talking about enough water to ruin your carpet/wood floors, subfloor, and structure. JMHO.
If your talking about ASM "uniseals" then yes, but the real Uniseal is built alot.....alot better.
 
okay,

i have used them for a few years now and they are good and bad.

yes, all you do is drill the correct sized hole, put in the uniseal and jam in the pipe.

does it seal? yes.

does it seal well? no. all of mine have leaked from a little to a lot over the time i have used them.

a local guy who builds skimmers and reactors also experience the same thing with leakage.

uniseals do have their place and purpose but i would not use them where you need peace of mind.

just my experience.
 
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