Barbed fitting leaking... ugh!

bradleybradley · 12/20/2013, 08:57 PM

Hey All,

So I've been working to plumb the sump plumbing on my new DSA 65 gallon reef-ready tank, and I've solved all pesky leaks except for one...

On the return side, I have a 3/4" barbed fitting connnecting to 3/4" braided vinyl tubing. I'm using a hose clamp on this connection, and I would describe it as being quite tight. This sucker is dripping water, albeit quite slowly.

I've done a bunch of copper and PVC plumbing in the past, but this stuff is throwing me for a loop. I really like the benefit of flexible hose and prefer to stick with it instead of changing over to rigid.

Any ideas? The hose is fully attached to the barbed fitting, and I've tighted up the hose clamp a couple times.

thanks!

H.reidi.MN · 12/20/2013, 09:05 PM

Honestly i can't see how thats possible unless its loose or cracked somewhere. I just switched over from braided hose/barbed fittings on my return to hard pvc. When i had barbed fittings 3/4" i could barely even get the hose on the fitting it was so tight then with a hose clamp there was no way it was leaking so i wonder whats going on?

NTP66 · 12/20/2013, 09:15 PM

Personally, I'd try a different type of vinyl hose first. I use barbed adapters on my return pump and cable tie the ends, but I'm 100% certain that they'd be fine without them. To me, it sounds like your tubing may be a bit rigid.

bradleybradley · 12/20/2013, 11:17 PM

I'm thinking that the problem here is that I over softened the hose end prior to attaching it to the fitting.

I'll replace the hose tomorrow and I'm sure that will fix it.

Thanks for the responses.

billdogg · 12/21/2013, 07:02 AM

I like to use vimyl tubing that is just slightly undersized, heat the end in boiling water until it is very pliable, then slip it on the barb. As it cools it shrinks back to its original size. I don't bother with hose clamps at all.

And I don't care for braided vinyl because it is just too rigid.

hth

Denbf58 · 12/21/2013, 07:10 AM

try replacing the barbed fitting did you use any tread sealer when you put the fitting on the pump

12/20/2013, 08:57 PM	#1
bradleybradley Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Pacifica, CA Posts: 43	Barbed fitting leaking... ugh! Hey All, So I've been working to plumb the sump plumbing on my new DSA 65 gallon reef-ready tank, and I've solved all pesky leaks except for one... On the return side, I have a 3/4" barbed fitting connnecting to 3/4" braided vinyl tubing. I'm using a hose clamp on this connection, and I would describe it as being quite tight. This sucker is dripping water, albeit quite slowly. I've done a bunch of copper and PVC plumbing in the past, but this stuff is throwing me for a loop. I really like the benefit of flexible hose and prefer to stick with it instead of changing over to rigid. Any ideas? The hose is fully attached to the barbed fitting, and I've tighted up the hose clamp a couple times. thanks!

12/20/2013, 09:15 PM	#3
NTP66 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: PA Posts: 975	Personally, I'd try a different type of vinyl hose first. I use barbed adapters on my return pump and cable tie the ends, but I'm 100% certain that they'd be fine without them. To me, it sounds like your tubing may be a bit rigid. __________________ Nick Current Tank Info: 90g FOWLR, Reef Octopus NWB-150 skimmer, MP40wES x2, Eheim 1260 return, BuildMyLED 20,000k XB LEDs, Apex Jr.

12/21/2013, 07:02 AM	#5
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I like to use vimyl tubing that is just slightly undersized, heat the end in boiling water until it is very pliable, then slip it on the barb. As it cools it shrinks back to its original size. I don't bother with hose clamps at all. And I don't care for braided vinyl because it is just too rigid. hth __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

12/21/2013, 07:10 AM	#6
Denbf58 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: selden N.Y. Posts: 885	try replacing the barbed fitting did you use any tread sealer when you put the fitting on the pump __________________ Life is good Current Tank Info: 75gal reef ready koralia 3, 30g sump, 4b 48" t5s lighting, 29g reef with breeding pair clowns 55g reef 55g freshwater

12/20/2013, 09:05 PM	#2
H.reidi.MN Moved On Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 882	Honestly i can't see how thats possible unless its loose or cracked somewhere. I just switched over from braided hose/barbed fittings on my return to hard pvc. When i had barbed fittings 3/4" i could barely even get the hose on the fitting it was so tight then with a hose clamp there was no way it was leaking so i wonder whats going on?

12/20/2013, 11:17 PM	#4
bradleybradley Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Pacifica, CA Posts: 43	I'm thinking that the problem here is that I over softened the hose end prior to attaching it to the fitting. I'll replace the hose tomorrow and I'm sure that will fix it. Thanks for the responses.