Fish Safe lubricant for pipe?

kenman345 · 05/13/2014, 04:57 PM

I accidentally put together two pieces of my Protein skimmer (HOB style) and I didnt include the O-Ring. I caught it before trying to run it, but I am unable to remove the two pieces. I was wondering if anyone could help me with what lubricant to try that will be able to safely be removed afterwards so that I can assemble this item properly and actually use it.

Your help will be greatly appreciated

formsix · 05/13/2014, 05:09 PM

Maybe silicone grease? I know it's recommended to lube up the o rings when you put things together, so it's safe enough to use, and might do the trick.

disc1 · 05/13/2014, 05:11 PM

Ugh, that's a tough one. I would try glycerin first. It may not help, but it's easy to wash off and any small amount of residue shouldn't hurt anything. The problem will be trying to get it to penetrate. Any good penetrating oil is going to be a residue issue.

Vegetable oil might be another one worth a try. I wouldn't want a bunch of it in my tank, but if you can clean it up really good the tiny amounts of residue shouldn't do any harm.

Are these plastic or metal pieces? What kind of pieces, how are they fit? How are they stuck? Where does the lube need to go?

disc1 · 05/13/2014, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by formsix

Maybe silicone grease? I know it's recommended to lube up the o rings when you put things together, so it's safe enough to use, and might do the trick.

That's an option too, but it definitely won't penetrate. You'll never be able to clean it ALL up, but it won't dissolve in the water and it's pretty inert.

Stolireef · 05/13/2014, 05:28 PM

Assuming it's plastic, you might try soaking it in some very cold water or very warm water. Someone out there...does plastic shrink or expand based upon temperatures?

I know this works when I'm trying to open a tightly sealed bottle of salsa. Just don't use a monkey wrench

Good luck.

Mrramsey · 05/13/2014, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stolireef

Assuming it's plastic, you might try soaking it in some very cold water or very warm water. Someone out there...does plastic shrink or expand based upon temperatures?

I know this works when I'm trying to open a tightly sealed bottle of salsa. Just don't use a monkey wrench

Good luck.

Yes try cold water that should do it. Plastic / pvc will shrink when cooled. I have done this to loosen pvc fittings that I pressed together. Just working with pvc in your hands causes them to expand from your body heat.

Stolireef · 05/13/2014, 05:47 PM

Jeez. That was just a wild guess. If it works, I want credit

garyinco · 05/13/2014, 05:50 PM

put it in a freezer for an hour. Be careful though, could be brittle.

kenman345 · 05/13/2014, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garyinco

put it in a freezer for an hour. Be careful though, could be brittle.

Unfortunately, I live in a home with no room in my freezer. All stocked up, but it's fine. I will try some of the suggested methods and report back. I feel like i'm in a much better place than ever before. I thought I would just buy a different HOB Protein Skimmer that wouldn't give me any problems. That's still my backup plan though my wallet appreciates your assistance

Jimmer12 · 05/13/2014, 08:05 PM

Fluval sells a fish safe o ring grease for their canister filters. Maybe that would be bea a good option.

05/13/2014, 04:57 PM	#1
kenman345 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 381	Fish Safe lubricant for pipe? I accidentally put together two pieces of my Protein skimmer (HOB style) and I didnt include the O-Ring. I caught it before trying to run it, but I am unable to remove the two pieces. I was wondering if anyone could help me with what lubricant to try that will be able to safely be removed afterwards so that I can assemble this item properly and actually use it. Your help will be greatly appreciated

05/13/2014, 05:11 PM	#3
disc1 -RT * ln(k) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 9,705	Ugh, that's a tough one. I would try glycerin first. It may not help, but it's easy to wash off and any small amount of residue shouldn't hurt anything. The problem will be trying to get it to penetrate. Any good penetrating oil is going to be a residue issue. Vegetable oil might be another one worth a try. I wouldn't want a bunch of it in my tank, but if you can clean it up really good the tiny amounts of residue shouldn't do any harm. Are these plastic or metal pieces? What kind of pieces, how are they fit? How are they stuck? Where does the lube need to go? __________________ David Current Tank: Undergoing reconstruction...

05/13/2014, 05:28 PM	#5
Stolireef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scottsdale AZ Posts: 3,180 Blog Entries: 5	Assuming it's plastic, you might try soaking it in some very cold water or very warm water. Someone out there...does plastic shrink or expand based upon temperatures? I know this works when I'm trying to open a tightly sealed bottle of salsa. Just don't use a monkey wrench Good luck. __________________ I want to burn twice as bright and half as long. Oh, and a full tank crash is just an excuse for a new build. Current Tank Info: 125 Rimless Leemar, Apex, Trigger 30 Elite Sump, Vertex 180i Skimmer, 2 X Gen4 Radion XR30W, BM Doser, 2xMP40WES, 2xTunze 6095, Sicce Syncra 4.0.

05/13/2014, 05:47 PM	#7
Stolireef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scottsdale AZ Posts: 3,180 Blog Entries: 5	Jeez. That was just a wild guess. If it works, I want credit __________________ I want to burn twice as bright and half as long. Oh, and a full tank crash is just an excuse for a new build. Current Tank Info: 125 Rimless Leemar, Apex, Trigger 30 Elite Sump, Vertex 180i Skimmer, 2 X Gen4 Radion XR30W, BM Doser, 2xMP40WES, 2xTunze 6095, Sicce Syncra 4.0.

05/13/2014, 05:09 PM	#2
formsix Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 341	Maybe silicone grease? I know it's recommended to lube up the o rings when you put things together, so it's safe enough to use, and might do the trick.

05/13/2014, 05:50 PM	#8
garyinco Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 431	put it in a freezer for an hour. Be careful though, could be brittle.

05/13/2014, 08:05 PM	#10
Jimmer12 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 188	Fluval sells a fish safe o ring grease for their canister filters. Maybe that would be bea a good option.