Leaky Geo 420 Reactors

Dustin1300 · 03/20/2012, 07:48 PM

I just picked up two new GEO 420 reactors and they were originally shipped without the silicone o-rings around the top. I tried firing them up Sunday and they leaked like crazy without the rings as expected. I just got o-rings in today and I put them in place and both GFO/Carbon leak no matter what....I don't have a lot of flow going to either one, just enough to tumble the media.

- Do the reactors have to be dry when securing the cap?
- Do I need to use some lubricant on ring to make better seal?
- Any other suggestions?

I planned for them to be out of sump but now they are sitting in my sump because of how they are leaking...

Thanks in advance!

James77 · 03/20/2012, 08:45 PM

Wet or dry should not matter at all. I would try some 100% silicone grease from your HD or Lowes plumbing repair section.

Dustin1300 · 03/20/2012, 09:10 PM

I just took a third stab at this as it was driving me crazy why two quality reactors would act this way. I unhooked them, took the o-rings out and dried everything off around the where the o-ring seats and both reactors worked perfectly afterwards? I cleaned them both with a white towel and barely had any residue from the GFO/Carbon. I guess it was enough to cause a leak but it seems to have resolved the issue.

The 100% silicone grease is safe for reef tanks? Is this normal to use the silicone grease on reactor o-rings, unions, etc?

I'm new to many things right now as I had a much simpler/smaller setup before. I'm in the big leagues now and having my doubts from time to time

sirreal63 · 03/20/2012, 09:44 PM

Dustin, the silicone grease is food safe and works. There are a few brands out there, Dow 777 is the one I always use.

jh2pizza · 03/20/2012, 09:54 PM

I used Silicone grease on my 420 reactors with sucsess.

Dustin1300 · 03/21/2012, 06:18 AM

Thanks for the advice guys. I got same response in my build thread so I'll pick up some grease this week and apply the grease so I have some additional hold on keeping the water in

psteeleb · 03/21/2012, 06:31 AM

This stuff is a staple in my reef tool kit, and is one of the only things I keep handy at all times

you can find a couple different brands but check for 100% silicone or no petroleum products on the label

Dustin1300 · 03/21/2012, 09:08 AM

Thanks for the clarifications all. I'd assume I can pick this silicone grease up at Lowes/HD/Menards. I'm always making a trip to these stores so I'll pick some up soon

Pictures help psteeleb as that ensures I grab one that's not petroleum based and tried and true.

James77 · 03/21/2012, 11:42 AM

It will be in the sink repair section at any of those stores.

nitr8 · 09/02/2012, 10:17 AM

I'm having the same problem with my GEO420 reactor. It leaked in three places when I first installed. The inlet, outlet and lid. I stopped the inlet and outlet leaks by using plumber's tape on the threads but I haven't been able to stop the lid from leaking. I took it apart, dried everything off, made sure the o-ring was in place, tested again and it still leaks. My next step is to try silicone grease but if anyone has another idea, I'm open for suggestions. The reactor is outside the sump so I have to stop it from leaking.

nitr8 · 09/03/2012, 06:48 AM

I used some of this and it stopped the reactor from leaking.

03/20/2012, 07:48 PM	#1
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	Leaky Geo 420 Reactors I just picked up two new GEO 420 reactors and they were originally shipped without the silicone o-rings around the top. I tried firing them up Sunday and they leaked like crazy without the rings as expected. I just got o-rings in today and I put them in place and both GFO/Carbon leak no matter what....I don't have a lot of flow going to either one, just enough to tumble the media. - Do the reactors have to be dry when securing the cap? - Do I need to use some lubricant on ring to make better seal? - Any other suggestions? I planned for them to be out of sump but now they are sitting in my sump because of how they are leaking... Thanks in advance! __________________ INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT

03/20/2012, 08:45 PM	#2
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Wet or dry should not matter at all. I would try some 100% silicone grease from your HD or Lowes plumbing repair section. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

03/20/2012, 09:10 PM	#3
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	I just took a third stab at this as it was driving me crazy why two quality reactors would act this way. I unhooked them, took the o-rings out and dried everything off around the where the o-ring seats and both reactors worked perfectly afterwards? I cleaned them both with a white towel and barely had any residue from the GFO/Carbon. I guess it was enough to cause a leak but it seems to have resolved the issue. The 100% silicone grease is safe for reef tanks? Is this normal to use the silicone grease on reactor o-rings, unions, etc? I'm new to many things right now as I had a much simpler/smaller setup before. I'm in the big leagues now and having my doubts from time to time __________________ INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT

03/20/2012, 09:44 PM	#4
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	Dustin, the silicone grease is food safe and works. There are a few brands out there, Dow 777 is the one I always use. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

03/20/2012, 09:54 PM	#5
jh2pizza Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: zanesville, ohio Posts: 3,439	I used Silicone grease on my 420 reactors with sucsess. __________________ Joe and Jeni Friends don't give Friends kenya trees! Current Tank Info: Oceanic 180 in wall, 100 sump, Geo Kalk Reactor, Tunze 9415 skimmer, Geo Media Reactors, Geo 624 CA Reactor

03/21/2012, 06:18 AM	#6
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	Thanks for the advice guys. I got same response in my build thread so I'll pick up some grease this week and apply the grease so I have some additional hold on keeping the water in __________________ INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT

03/21/2012, 06:31 AM	#7
psteeleb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 5,249	This stuff is a staple in my reef tool kit, and is one of the only things I keep handy at all times you can find a couple different brands but check for 100% silicone or no petroleum products on the label __________________ A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner Current Tank Info: 110g Mixed Reef, LED's & T5's

03/21/2012, 09:08 AM	#8
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	Thanks for the clarifications all. I'd assume I can pick this silicone grease up at Lowes/HD/Menards. I'm always making a trip to these stores so I'll pick some up soon Pictures help psteeleb as that ensures I grab one that's not petroleum based and tried and true. __________________ INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT

03/21/2012, 11:42 AM	#9
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	It will be in the sink repair section at any of those stores. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

09/02/2012, 10:17 AM	#10
nitr8 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lakeland, FL. Posts: 1,932	I'm having the same problem with my GEO420 reactor. It leaked in three places when I first installed. The inlet, outlet and lid. I stopped the inlet and outlet leaks by using plumber's tape on the threads but I haven't been able to stop the lid from leaking. I took it apart, dried everything off, made sure the o-ring was in place, tested again and it still leaks. My next step is to try silicone grease but if anyone has another idea, I'm open for suggestions. The reactor is outside the sump so I have to stop it from leaking.

09/03/2012, 06:48 AM	#11
nitr8 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lakeland, FL. Posts: 1,932	Silicone Grease I used some of this and it stopped the reactor from leaking.