Need helping with a leak
- Thread starter Jay1982
- Start date
- Tagged users None
CC13
Valuable Member
So ridiculous lol
MnFish1
10K Club member
HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA have you been hit by a puck lol - ok that was a joke. Its a serious issue what to use for those of us that don't color code our PVC lol. There are lots of options out there - so - whats wrong with a discussion. Because believe me I think anyone that plumbs their tank with colored pipe to make it 'look good' well - I'm not gonna say lol. *But they do look insanely good
Crabby48
7500 Club Member
HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA have you been hit by a puck lol - ok that was a joke. Its a serious issue what to use for those of us that don't color code our PVC lol. There are lots of options out there - so - whats wrong with a discussion. Because believe me I think anyone that plumbs their tank with colored pipe to make it 'look good' well - I'm not gonna say lol. *But they do look insanely good
I didn’t want to have a lengthy post on what clamp to use so I used colored pvc pipe and glue. Lol
Actually I only used color because I don’t like white or gray and it does look good.
Fritzhamer
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2016
- Messages
- 762
- Reaction score
- 647
The metal clamps can be purchased in stainless steel. They're called Jubilee Clamps.
Sarah24!
2500 Club Member
Hello,
After reading this thread, there are lots of options and good grief lol half of this thread sounds just like a bunch of Smurf’s arguing over how to patch a hole in their wooden dam.
Yes metal clamps will rust because of salty humidity even if they are not in water. I have them on mine, and yes they have started to rust and it’s been 9 months. You can buy stainless steel ones but again, most of us do not put metal clamps in water. They are usually above the sump tank to the side (or directly above or who knows could be anywhere). However, it’s not hard to unscrew them when they start to rust, and unscrew a new one and put it on. You can also spray paint them (before you put them on and obviously not near your tank) with the rust preventing spray paint.
Every one should be able to set up do whatever they like on their tank. Yes we all have ways to do things, sadly though some of us either don’t have the money or the time to be extremely fancy or high tech. The pure fact he is in this hobby is awesome and glad we have another one.
I hope there are not any more leaks for him. I don’t have any leaks and I still get tons of salt crete around my pvc pipes, fittings etc. if there is a small leak in the fittings more than likely the Crete will seal it. I also glued my fittings together, except the two unions where the drain pipes come out of the tank. Even gluing the pvc pipes together, they still have have the salt crete mess. So as long as he is not flooding his home, or a drip the Crete will seal it. (Yes no leaks is preferred obviously) but things fail for who knows what reason.
After reading this thread, there are lots of options and good grief lol half of this thread sounds just like a bunch of Smurf’s arguing over how to patch a hole in their wooden dam.
Yes metal clamps will rust because of salty humidity even if they are not in water. I have them on mine, and yes they have started to rust and it’s been 9 months. You can buy stainless steel ones but again, most of us do not put metal clamps in water. They are usually above the sump tank to the side (or directly above or who knows could be anywhere). However, it’s not hard to unscrew them when they start to rust, and unscrew a new one and put it on. You can also spray paint them (before you put them on and obviously not near your tank) with the rust preventing spray paint.
Every one should be able to set up do whatever they like on their tank. Yes we all have ways to do things, sadly though some of us either don’t have the money or the time to be extremely fancy or high tech. The pure fact he is in this hobby is awesome and glad we have another one.
I hope there are not any more leaks for him. I don’t have any leaks and I still get tons of salt crete around my pvc pipes, fittings etc. if there is a small leak in the fittings more than likely the Crete will seal it. I also glued my fittings together, except the two unions where the drain pipes come out of the tank. Even gluing the pvc pipes together, they still have have the salt crete mess. So as long as he is not flooding his home, or a drip the Crete will seal it. (Yes no leaks is preferred obviously) but things fail for who knows what reason.
Forsaken77
Valuable Member
Hey Sarah...
I just wanted to let you know that most of those stainless steel clamps aren't all stainless. Specifically the screw. It someone were to use vinyl tubing on a submerged pump, the screw will quickly rust and may not be noticed immediately.
You're also correct in that the clamps rust even out of water and salt creep will plug up very slow leaks, like a drip every hour type of slow.
If you ever want to use a clamp that you will NEVER have to replace, even submerged, I would suggest the Titan clamps. They are all titanium, even the screw, and will never rust. They're roughly $6 per clamp, but I like the piece of mind of never having contaminants or having to check on a clamp to see if it's starting to rust.
Just a helpful option to make things easier
PhreeByrd
Active Member
Good point, Forsaken77, and this is definitely true for stainless steel worm gear clamps. Worm gear clamps with stainless screws are available, but probably not at the local home center or auto parts store. It's probably also worth noting that almost all stainless steel will rust in severe environments, although less quickly than carbon steel. The titanium clamps are very pricey, but they are definitely the Cadillac of clamps to use in this situation. I still prefer the plastic ratchet (aka 'snap-grip') clamps, but the down side of those is a comparatively small grip range, so it's vital to make sure you have the appropriate size(s).
I've never seen salt creep seal a leaking joint. In fact salt is hygroscopic, so where there is salt creep there is always higher moisture even when there is no leak. Maybe the minerals in the water are what you see plugging up a leaking joint?
I've never seen salt creep seal a leaking joint. In fact salt is hygroscopic, so where there is salt creep there is always higher moisture even when there is no leak. Maybe the minerals in the water are what you see plugging up a leaking joint?
The shipping for those $6 clamps is more than the clamps cost themselves. $18 and change is the cheapest shipping option to Texas. UPS ground. Pretty much a deal killer. For me the total comes out to $32.36 for the 2 clamps making them $16.18 ea shipped.
Forsaken77
Valuable Member
The shipping for those $6 clamps is more than the clamps cost themselves. $18 and change is the cheapest shipping option to Texas. UPS ground. Pretty much a deal killer. For me the total comes out to $32.36 for the 2 clamps making them $16.18 ea shipped.
Doesn't sound right. Maybe call them? I didn't pay anywhere near that for shipping. I think it was around $6. 100% titanium is more expensive and harder to find. You will never have to replace them or worry about them rusting anywhere.
I've been using these clamps submerged in saltwater for 5 straight years and they still look brand new. The clamps you buy at a hardware store will rust, especially the screw, even if it's out of the water. Won't last more than a few months.
You could always use plastic clamps but the last time I did that, the clamps weakened over time, snapped, and my hose popped off the return pump, flooding my basement.
You may be able to find 100% titanium clamps like those at a marine boat store. Just make sure the screw is titanium as well because most aren't.
Last edited:
Forsaken77
Valuable Member
It looks like it was the salt that eventually plugged my leaking bulkhead on my drain line. Maybe I should've contextualized it better. It was a very minor drip that wasn't at an area under much pressure. That's why I said if it's like a drip per hour type of slow. Very minor. I contributed it to path of least resistance. It is completely possible that minerals stopped it, but isn't that the salt anyway?
All I know is that I had a very slow leak where a bead of water would run down my drain line every so often. It got a cluster of salt built around it and stopped. The salt isn't moist and it's solid. I just leave it be because it hasn't leaked and the salt clump hasn't grown.
I had a problem with plastic clamps and will never use them again. They weakened over time and snapped off my return pump. It flooded the room in my basement. They may have improved since then, but it's not something I want to have to worry about if/when it'll give out.
Last edited:
Barrett
Well-Known Member
I want to say my shipping was under $10, honestly though I would have paid the $18 for shipping to have the piece of mind knowing I never have to worry about a rusted clamp and I will never have to replace them. They will outlast meThe shipping for those $6 clamps is more than the clamps cost themselves. $18 and change is the cheapest shipping option to Texas. UPS ground. Pretty much a deal killer. For me the total comes out to $32.36 for the 2 clamps making them $16.18 ea shipped.
I'm an aircraft mechanic and I am familiar with the clamps mentioned in this thread. I know the titanium clamps won't rust. At $6 a piece I would throw a couple on my return line. At $16 a piece I will just continue using zip ties. I did call them but the guy never got back with me. The shipping was calculated right. I figure part of their profit comes from over charging for shipping. That is fine but for me I'll pass. Reefing is already an expensive hobby. Very rewarding and time consuming but expensive.
Forsaken77
Valuable Member
You use the Titan clamps as well? They're great right?!! I would've paid that also for piece of mind that it's something you'll never have to wait for it to fail or that it won't corrode in the water... EVER. You're correct that it will outlast us, lol. They're probably the ONLY thing in this hobby that will last indefinitely, lol.
I just read that they are the only hose clamp in the WORLD that is 100% titanium. Didn't know that. I guess that's why they require a premium price.
They also have rolled edges to keep the clamp from digging into the tubing. Imo, if you're already in an expensive hobby like this, I wouldn't skip on these because it costs an extra $18. Especially with the benefits it provides.
I just checked and the shipping to NY is also $18. The thing is, I purchased a few extras (6) not realizing they literally last forever, and the shipping is the same if you order 1 or 10. So it sucks for folks that only need 1 or 2. These.... I have no problem paying for. It's certain union valves that are $100+ per valve and I need 4!
Last edited:
Barrett
Well-Known Member
I do indeed use them, and will use them on every system I build. I work in the wastewater industry and for smaller hoses these are the only clamps we use. If they will hold up in that environment they will last forever in clean salt water
