small but could be a big problem

dan10342 · 12/02/2008, 07:15 PM

need a few suggestions please. its plumbing,

i have a 1/2 inch bulkhead, that my return if plumbed to. well, it seems as though the threaded part on the back has cracked, and is slowly (and i mean slowly... it isnt even dripping yet, just kind of wet) and i need to know if there is any way to seal it? i cannot remove the bulkhead, as it is siliconed to the tank.

thanks,
dan

m-fine · 12/02/2008, 07:25 PM

If you can dry it out for a bit, PVC cement will melt and bond most bulkheads, but I would figure out what caused it to crack in the first place before be comfortable with any repair.

dan10342 · 12/02/2008, 08:43 PM

i know what caused it

it was a fitting that was too big for it.

i tried PVC cement and PVC primer... and it melted it, but somehow its still wet. it was fine when i left... interesting. maybe my parents are seeing "shinyness" and not feeling "water".

is plumbers goop toxic to fish, if its on the outside? i have had luck with that stuff on leaky PVC joints, but... just need to make sure its safe?

thanks,
dan

SkiFletch · 12/02/2008, 08:50 PM

Its safe outside like that

magdelan · 12/02/2008, 09:40 PM

Turn your pump off, dry it out and throw some superglue gel all over it. Let it get in there real deep like.

tmz · 12/02/2008, 09:50 PM

I've used plumber's goop without any ill effect. There is also a product at Value hardware called Tommy tape. It's black and looks a lot like electrical tape but when you wrap it around a pipe or fitting it binds to itself in an hour or so creating a seal.

dan10342 · 12/02/2008, 11:01 PM

thanks for all the responses. i appreciate it.

thriceanangel · 12/03/2008, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tmz
I've used plumber's goop without any ill effect. There is also a product at Value hardware called Tommy tape. It's black and looks a lot like electrical tape but when you wrap it around a pipe or fitting it binds to itself in an hour or so creating a seal.

This is great stuff and should sove any leaking problem. I've used it before, and I'd have no problem using it again.

GMaquarium · 12/03/2008, 07:51 AM

Two part epoxy might also be a temporary solution for a small leak like that.

dan10342 · 12/03/2008, 08:52 AM

thanks guys!

i think im going to use plumbers amazing goop, and then perhaps put the tommy tape over it or something. this must be a permanent fix, as the bulkhead cannot be removed. (glued in there, and its been welded by PVC glue before i left... hoping to fix the leak that way).

12/02/2008, 07:15 PM	#1
dan10342 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Geneseo, NY Posts: 3,331	small but could be a big problem need a few suggestions please. its plumbing, i have a 1/2 inch bulkhead, that my return if plumbed to. well, it seems as though the threaded part on the back has cracked, and is slowly (and i mean slowly... it isnt even dripping yet, just kind of wet) and i need to know if there is any way to seal it? i cannot remove the bulkhead, as it is siliconed to the tank. thanks, dan

12/02/2008, 08:50 PM	#4
SkiFletch Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: N Buffalo, NY Posts: 3,665	Its safe outside like that __________________ You will miss 100% of the shots you dont take. Dare to dream Mike, aka Fletch Current Tank Info: 65 gallon reef

12/02/2008, 09:40 PM	#5
magdelan Fish? Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Gananda, NY Posts: 3,785	Turn your pump off, dry it out and throw some superglue gel all over it. Let it get in there real deep like. __________________ "Excuses are the tools of the weak and incompetent, used to build monuments of nothingness. Those who specialize in them, are seldom capable of anything else."

12/02/2008, 09:50 PM	#6
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	I've used plumber's goop without any ill effect. There is also a product at Value hardware called Tommy tape. It's black and looks a lot like electrical tape but when you wrap it around a pipe or fitting it binds to itself in an hour or so creating a seal. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

12/03/2008, 07:51 AM	#9
GMaquarium Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: rochester ny Posts: 1,670	Two part epoxy might also be a temporary solution for a small leak like that. __________________ Think globally, shop locally!!

12/02/2008, 07:25 PM	#2
m-fine Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: outskirts of Pittsford NY Posts: 590	If you can dry it out for a bit, PVC cement will melt and bond most bulkheads, but I would figure out what caused it to crack in the first place before be comfortable with any repair.

12/02/2008, 08:43 PM	#3
dan10342 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Geneseo, NY Posts: 3,331	i know what caused it it was a fitting that was too big for it. i tried PVC cement and PVC primer... and it melted it, but somehow its still wet. it was fine when i left... interesting. maybe my parents are seeing "shinyness" and not feeling "water". is plumbers goop toxic to fish, if its on the outside? i have had luck with that stuff on leaky PVC joints, but... just need to make sure its safe? thanks, dan

12/02/2008, 11:01 PM	#7
dan10342 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Geneseo, NY Posts: 3,331	thanks for all the responses. i appreciate it.

12/03/2008, 08:52 AM	#10
dan10342 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Geneseo, NY Posts: 3,331	thanks guys! i think im going to use plumbers amazing goop, and then perhaps put the tommy tape over it or something. this must be a permanent fix, as the bulkhead cannot be removed. (glued in there, and its been welded by PVC glue before i left... hoping to fix the leak that way).