Silicone?

[JohnDoeTho]

So I'm trying to convert my individual 5gallon DWC system to a system with a third bucket as an overflow with pumps circulating the water between the three buckets and also the chiller I have picked up. Having issues with leaks where I'm inserting the barbs into the sides of the buckets. I'd like to use silicone to try and seal it, and I have on the outside of the bucket. Will silicone contaminate my res or be a breeding ground for bacteria? I'd like to apply it on the Inside of the bucket where the fittings are as well.

 

[Dr. Who]

If it's food grade - No! It may not stick to that plastic well, or for long....Ask for food grade silicone. It comes in many forms.

Did we look for rubber washers at the hardware? On line? I might go that route first.....

 

[toaster struedel]

Rubber grommets work well.

 

[JohnDoeTho]

Yea I tried rubber gromets on both sides still had leaks! I removed from the inside to attempt to be able to lock it down better. Waiting for the silicone on the outside to set before testing.

 

[KrazyG]

You could try automotive gasket sealer I find it sticks to plastic pretty well. Or epoxy resin will definitely do the job you may have to lay plastic bag on top of the epoxy to stop any reaction to the Res water.

 

[JohnDoeTho]

Def not food grade

 

[Dumme]

Same as a fish tank, make sure you use 100% pure silicone, and you'll be fine. "No" anti-fungus or mold; pure silicone only.

"Grommets" and "uniseals" work better with less mess.

https://www.amazon.com/UNISEAL-Flexible-Tank-Adapter-Bulkhead/dp/B00FAFH08U/ref=sr_1_3?tag=aquapon-20
https://www.amazon.com/Gardner-Bender-GHG-1575-4-Inch-Grommets/dp/B000BOBW4S/ref=sr_1_1?tag=aquapon-20

 

[JohnDoeTho]

Hmmm yea those gromets look likewould be much better then the rubber washers I'm using

 

[Observe & Report]

+1 Uniseal

 

[JohnDoeTho]

Yea I'm thinking of stopping my silicone stuff and just get some of those gromets. Those should seal it perfectly

 

[Dumme]

Yea I'm thinking of stopping my silicone stuff and just get some of those gromets. Those should seal it perfectly

Uniseals are a one-way slide for the pipe, but work just as good as grommets as far as sealing, and tend to work better around curved surfaces like buckets. I mention this as 5gal buckets have a tight curve to them. Grommets tend to work better on flat surfaces, and may leak while using a bucket.

Good luck, cheers.

 

[Jypsy Dog]

Think simple... Teflon Tape as a packing.

 

[Bbcchance]

In future diy projects look into bulk head fittings, they seal really well

 

[iHearAll]

hdpe is really difficult to bond to with a glue. DP8005 and DP8010 are good for it though. regular epoxy will peal right off after drying. i have had luck preventing a leak for a while by roughing up the surface before using a 2 step epoxy but it failed easily when agitated.

 

[Jypsy Dog]

You guys are really OVER THINKING this. It's not a Pressure fitting. Roll up the Teflon into a "Rope" and crank down the fitting. Works on curves, and non toxic.

 

[JohnDoeTho]

Yea jypsy that would probably work as well!

 

[vostok]

So I'm trying to convert my individual 5gallon DWC system to a system with a third bucket as an overflow with pumps circulating the water between the three buckets and also the chiller I have picked up. Having issues with leaks where I'm inserting the barbs into the sides of the buckets. I'd like to use silicone to try and seal it, and I have on the outside of the bucket. Will silicone contaminate my res or be a breeding ground for bacteria? I'd like to apply it on the Inside of the bucket where the fittings are as well.

The 'real deal' here is the fear that acids, acetate acid may well leach into your rez 'adjusting' the ph

you get ph issues later

this may well be the cause

good luck

 

[JohnDoeTho]

I see. Well, steering away from any silicone use anyways.

 

[rkymtnman]

So I'm trying to convert my individual 5gallon DWC system to a system with a third bucket as an overflow with pumps circulating the water between the three buckets and also the chiller I have picked up. Having issues with leaks where I'm inserting the barbs into the sides of the buckets. I'd like to use silicone to try and seal it, and I have on the outside of the bucket. Will silicone contaminate my res or be a breeding ground for bacteria? I'd like to apply it on the Inside of the bucket where the fittings are as well.

i'd ditch the round buckets and go for square ones. much easier to seal up with either a bulkhead or uniseal on a flat vs round surface..

 

[rkymtnman]

I see. Well, steering away from any silicone use anyways.

aquarium sealant is fine to use. if it wont' kill fish, it won't hurt plants either.