Plumbing Help

[ellebelle]

I am so so so so so so frustrated at this point. I finished the plumbing on my new tank and started filling it with water. At first it didn't leak, but then i noticed just a little bit of dripping coming from various PVC junctions. Maybe the PVC is just not strong enough for my 1270gph pump? I don't understand why my joints are dripping.

Additionally, my bulkheads for the drain aren't sealing properly and I dumped a bunch of water on the floor which hopefully didn't seep through and drip on my downstairs neighbors sound equipment (again). I need to re-silicone the bulkheads, but I can't get all of the water out of the overflow box without drinking it.

Any thoughts on water removal or why my plumbing would be leaking like that? (I used PVC cement on every joint and checked it twice, as well as teflon taped all threaded joints. )

In addition, i think the silicone around the bottom pane of glass in my sump might also be leaking, based on the pooling of water around the bottom seams.

 

[nycmat]

pm'd you

 

[Bob 1000]

Did you prep the pipes with purple primer first????
Did you allow ample drying time???
Are your cuts on the pvc clean or jagged????

Any of these would be the problem...

 

[nycmat]

its called primer

 

[Bob 1000]

Thanks Buddy...

 

[KathyC]

Sorry Lissa my RG locked up..
Did you put a union between your ofb & sump - disconnect it there, or you will have to start a siphon and drain the ofb into a bucket.
The PVC is strong enough..did you use the PVC primer & cleaner before you used the cement? Didja let it dry totally? (I was taught to run cold water through the piping as each joint was made, for as many joints as I could access..then rest had to dry on their own.)

Are only the joints with the PVC leaking or the ones with the teflon tape too?

For the ones that have little drips..I was told to empty the piping (can you isolate with your ball/gate valves?) and then use Weldon # 4 with the syringe and shoot that into ALL PVC joints, allow to dry and then use the thick Weldon # 16 and seal around the edges of each PVC joint.

 

[NYreefNoob]

did you scuff the part of the pipe you were fitting before pvc cement was used ? and not to be funny but were these snug fit's before gluing them ?

 

[nycmat]

what size pipes etc do you have? i will come by and help as i told you. i just want to know this in case you need anything. i have a bunch of stuff. how did you cut your pvc? cutter etc. it would help you if you can show a pic of that overflow box as well

 

[duke62]

what you need to do when doing pvc is very simple.first what did u cut the pipes with. you use a copper pipe cutter that is the easiest and great straight cutter.if u used a saw what u need to do is get sand paper and sand the cut piece first.use plenty of primer.when u glue the pieces together u need to twist the pipe into the fitting for proper application.when using pipe tape use alot and go with the threads not against.for glue drying time 1/2 hour to an hour is all u need before turning on pump.if you need any help ill be in bklyn prob on sun ill shoot u a pm if im going.good luck

 

[ellebelle]

Forgive my ignorance Kathy, but what exactly is Weldon and where would I get it?

 

[jab161]

you must put the primer and glue on both pieces you are joing before TWISTING them together. my friend just did his plumbing and did not prime/glue both pieces. leaks everywhere

 

[ellebelle]

Okay, I found all of my leaks! Most of the water was coming from a loose joint between a threaded elbow on the INSIDE of my tank and the bulkhead. Tank is now full of saltwater, sand, about about 15lbs of rock. Just waiting for lights now!

I know, I know, "this thread is dead without pics". I'll take photos of my plumbing and tank and post in my tank thread tomorrow.

 

[KathyC]

That's great news Lissa! Looking forward to the pics tomorrow.

 

[duke62]

:flirt:good for u lisa

 

[bad coffee]

this thread is useless without pics.

B