Problem sealing a Calcium reactor

psulion · 01/24/2009, 02:44 PM

I'm having a hard time sealing the top of my calcium reactor. I've cleaned the o ring and the slot it fits in but I still get a slow(1 drop per 3-4 minutes ) from the underside of the thumb screws that hold the top plate on. Is there a sealer I could put on the O ring? thanks in advance.

Bandsaw · 01/24/2009, 03:00 PM

I'm going to tag along on this one. My Korillin 1502 had this same problem around one of the bolts. At the time, I just used a dap of aquarium safe silicone. The second time that I refilled the chamber, I had no problem.

I am not sure if they make a gasket sealer that is sentimentally safe or not. Would be nice.

psulion · 01/24/2009, 03:12 PM

I know on previous plumbing escapades ,I wouldn't worry too much about a slow leak as I have found them to seal themselves so to speak. Not sure if that will be the case this time.

psulion · 01/24/2009, 06:55 PM

uppity

Dustin_p · 01/24/2009, 10:16 PM

Silicon for a temporary fix.

I would order a replacement o-ring and see if that fixes it.

fishdave739 · 01/24/2009, 10:21 PM

I've used some "food grade" lube on mine. Had some that came with my OM 4 way. I believe it's Dow #1011 Not sure if regular O-ring grease would be suitable in the tank.

chadfarmer · 01/24/2009, 10:27 PM

what about a new o ring

psulion · 01/25/2009, 06:56 AM

Thanks for the help. I thought about a new O ring. Just have to find one. I also thought about lithium grease. Is that reef safe?

Mark I · 01/25/2009, 10:53 AM

Home depot caries silicone grease, works great. I use it on my CA reactor o-ring, pump gaskets etc.

AcroporAddict · 01/25/2009, 11:45 AM

I had the same issue with a GEO 618. I used silicone lube from ACE hardware on the O-ring. Don't glop it on, just coat the ring with it.

dhesq · 01/25/2009, 11:57 AM

I second the food grade lube. Vaseline works too in a pinch...

jman77 · 01/25/2009, 12:23 PM

I would stay away from Vaseline as it can break down seals depending what they are made from, stick with Silicone Lube

psulion · 01/25/2009, 04:13 PM

Great ideas. I'll pick up some silicone lube tomorrow.
thanks again.

01/24/2009, 03:00 PM	#2
Bandsaw Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Eastern Ontario (above Sudbury) Posts: 720	I'm going to tag along on this one. My Korillin 1502 had this same problem around one of the bolts. At the time, I just used a dap of aquarium safe silicone. The second time that I refilled the chamber, I had no problem. I am not sure if they make a gasket sealer that is sentimentally safe or not. Would be nice. __________________ VE3SZB Failure is not an option - It is a requirement if you expect to learn anything. Click on my home page button for pictures of my aquarium. Current Tank Info: 75g Display, CPR SM Aquafuge, 8g sump, 20g tall fuge, Maxspect R420R LED, KoralLin 1502 CaRa, EV-180 Skimmer

01/24/2009, 10:27 PM	#7
chadfarmer Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ST Charles, MO far from nanook Posts: 11,045 Blog Entries: 1	what about a new o ring __________________ If you think you know the answer than ask 3 more people the question Current Tank Info: 200 Gal RR,ATB medium, 4 AI blue sol,230 LBS LIVE ROCK, no sand , 40 GAL sump, airstar1800, 3 tunze 6105 1- 6205 1-6305, Geo 818, profilux3ex with toys

01/24/2009, 02:44 PM	#1
psulion Premium Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 169	Problem sealing a Calcium reactor I'm having a hard time sealing the top of my calcium reactor. I've cleaned the o ring and the slot it fits in but I still get a slow(1 drop per 3-4 minutes ) from the underside of the thumb screws that hold the top plate on. Is there a sealer I could put on the O ring? thanks in advance.

01/24/2009, 03:12 PM	#3
psulion Premium Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 169	I know on previous plumbing escapades ,I wouldn't worry too much about a slow leak as I have found them to seal themselves so to speak. Not sure if that will be the case this time.

01/24/2009, 06:55 PM	#4
psulion Premium Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 169	uppity

01/24/2009, 10:16 PM	#5
Dustin_p Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Dakota Posts: 101	Silicon for a temporary fix. I would order a replacement o-ring and see if that fixes it.

01/24/2009, 10:21 PM	#6
fishdave739 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lee's Summit, MO Posts: 152	I've used some "food grade" lube on mine. Had some that came with my OM 4 way. I believe it's Dow #1011 Not sure if regular O-ring grease would be suitable in the tank.

01/25/2009, 06:56 AM	#8
psulion Premium Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 169	Thanks for the help. I thought about a new O ring. Just have to find one. I also thought about lithium grease. Is that reef safe?

01/25/2009, 10:53 AM	#9
Mark I Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 98	Home depot caries silicone grease, works great. I use it on my CA reactor o-ring, pump gaskets etc.

01/25/2009, 11:45 AM	#10
AcroporAddict There is no substitute. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southeast Posts: 2,269	I had the same issue with a GEO 618. I used silicone lube from ACE hardware on the O-ring. Don't glop it on, just coat the ring with it.

01/25/2009, 11:57 AM	#11
dhesq Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MKEWI Posts: 20	I second the food grade lube. Vaseline works too in a pinch...

01/25/2009, 12:23 PM	#12
jman77 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida Posts: 2,391	I would stay away from Vaseline as it can break down seals depending what they are made from, stick with Silicone Lube

01/25/2009, 04:13 PM	#13
psulion Premium Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 169	Great ideas. I'll pick up some silicone lube tomorrow. thanks again.