Megaflow drains and return leaking

caseyjaydarling · 07/29/2012, 12:41 PM

I just aquired a 120 with dual overflows. Each overflow has a 1" drain and 3/4" return. I have heard you aren't supposed to glue the plumbing underneath the tank, but I am having a problem with leaks....especially with one of the returns. I am using clear vinyl tubing with a hose clamp on the hose barb that is coming from the return bulkhead under the tank. It is not leaking from the clear hose, but from between the hosebarb adapter and the bulkhead. How can I fix this? I don't know if the adapters are glued in or not?? They seem pretty tight in there, but when I pump water through, or even pour water down the return from the top of the tank, it leaks.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!

EasyEd77 · 07/29/2012, 12:49 PM

How did you tighten the bulkhead? With the wrench that came with the aquarium or did you spin the barb until it tightened? If you spun the barb on the bulkhead the gasket may have also spun and wrinkled a little not allowing for a good seal. Also you should wet the gasket before you install everything.

caseyjaydarling · 07/29/2012, 01:24 PM

I bought it used and the bulkheads were already installed.....the barb adapter was already installed as well....

Saltdog813 · 07/29/2012, 02:35 PM

Take em off and try it again at least you will know what you have whether its the washer or not.

azjohnny · 07/29/2012, 02:43 PM

is the barb a MPT or a slip fitting?...if it is MPT you could take it off to make sure it has some teflon tape and if it does already remove it and put more on. If it is a slip fitting make sure they used the PVC pipe dope and if they had you would nneed a new bulkhead to do it right.

If you want to do a quick fix you could iuse Aquamend or PC11. Both of these products are used to to patch boats and they are reef safe and will cure under water

caseyjaydarling · 07/29/2012, 02:48 PM

Saltdog---take the bulkhead off? I don't have the wrench...

Johnny---I'm not sure? I am afraid to try to take the barb off in case it is glued....I don't want to crack the tank! by pipe dope, do you mean solvent?

Thanks for the replies!

07/29/2012, 12:41 PM	#1
caseyjaydarling Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: As far from the ocean as you can get Posts: 133	Megaflow drains and return leaking I just aquired a 120 with dual overflows. Each overflow has a 1" drain and 3/4" return. I have heard you aren't supposed to glue the plumbing underneath the tank, but I am having a problem with leaks....especially with one of the returns. I am using clear vinyl tubing with a hose clamp on the hose barb that is coming from the return bulkhead under the tank. It is not leaking from the clear hose, but from between the hosebarb adapter and the bulkhead. How can I fix this? I don't know if the adapters are glued in or not?? They seem pretty tight in there, but when I pump water through, or even pour water down the return from the top of the tank, it leaks. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

07/29/2012, 12:49 PM	#2
EasyEd77 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Ramon Posts: 437	How did you tighten the bulkhead? With the wrench that came with the aquarium or did you spin the barb until it tightened? If you spun the barb on the bulkhead the gasket may have also spun and wrinkled a little not allowing for a good seal. Also you should wet the gasket before you install everything. __________________ 75 gallon AGA with Lifereef compact refugium 2 sump, 2 T5 HO w/individual reflector and 2 175 watt MH canopy retrofit kit, GEO 612 calcium reactor with masterflex, and litermeter 3 water exchange system.

07/29/2012, 02:35 PM	#4
Saltdog813 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Apollo Beach FL, Posts: 144	Take em off and try it again at least you will know what you have whether its the washer or not. __________________ Jack Marineland 150 gallon Current Tank Info: 75 Gal Rectangle/cube Sea Horse tank, 150 Gal Marineland SW Reef

07/29/2012, 01:24 PM	#3
caseyjaydarling Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: As far from the ocean as you can get Posts: 133	I bought it used and the bulkheads were already installed.....the barb adapter was already installed as well....

07/29/2012, 02:43 PM	#5
azjohnny Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Gold Canyon Posts: 2,914	is the barb a MPT or a slip fitting?...if it is MPT you could take it off to make sure it has some teflon tape and if it does already remove it and put more on. If it is a slip fitting make sure they used the PVC pipe dope and if they had you would nneed a new bulkhead to do it right. If you want to do a quick fix you could iuse Aquamend or PC11. Both of these products are used to to patch boats and they are reef safe and will cure under water

07/29/2012, 02:48 PM	#6
caseyjaydarling Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: As far from the ocean as you can get Posts: 133	Saltdog---take the bulkhead off? I don't have the wrench... Johnny---I'm not sure? I am afraid to try to take the barb off in case it is glued....I don't want to crack the tank! by pipe dope, do you mean solvent? Thanks for the replies!