Rapidly losing my mind ...

[Pard62]

So,

Even though i've lost it before, I'm losing my mind again. This time it's due to a leak on my UV plumbing and no matter what I try it continues to leak at the barb fitting.

you would think that its the threaded part, but no, its leaking around the barb itself. not a lot, maybe a dime sized spot after several hours, but a leak regardless. I've tried different barbed fittings, different braided nylon hoses, brands, etc. still same issue. clamps, no clamps, still slow drips over time.

It's not like I'm feeding it with a 10k GPM, 2400 PSI pump. Just a Vectra M2 at about 40%, head height is only from under stand of my waterbox 7225 up to the returns.

plumbing is 3/4 braided nylon hose to a 3/4 barb into and out of the UV

 

[Tamberav]

Isn't the hose too big? It is going right over the threads and on to the plasic part...

 

[Pard62]

Isn't the hose too big? It is going right over the threads and on to the plasic part...

where the hose stops is where the barb stops and the nut starts to screw into the cap

 

[Tamberav]

where the hose stops is where the barb stops and the nut starts to screw into the cap

yes but it is over the nut kinda?

Generally they are so tight that sometimes it hurts your hands to get it on and you have to heat up the hose for 30 seconds in boiling water to wrestle it on and no way it would go over the nut even a little.

 

[Pard62]

yes but it is over the nut kinda?

Generally they are so tight that sometimes it hurts your hands to get it on and you have to heat up the hose for 30 seconds over the stove to wrestle it on and no way it would go over the nut even a little.

Nope, it's right up to it, heated it up in hot water to get it on. 3/4 inside dia hose 3/4 barb

 

[Cell]

Hose should barely fit over barb and should stop before it reaches largest part. Metal is bad.

 

[exnisstech]

Maybe move the clamp further away from the hex so it's clamping on the barbs themselves? It looks like it's right again the hex used for tightening.
Edit
Yep looked at it again zoomed in and clamp is too far forward.

 

[Cell]

How about a little silicone around the barbs?

 

[Tamberav]

Nope, it's right up to it, heated it up in hot water to get it on. 3/4 inside dia hose 3/4 barb

I would say it is the hose then... maybe it stretched too much.

Have you tried vinyl? That hose is reinforced so it does not stretch easily... maybe it can not stretch back to shape easily either once stretched out.

I hate clear hoses anyways... even a tiny amount of light makes **** grow in them.

 

[jDoSe]

I would have guessed hose too large as well.

Maybe because it’s braided it never “molds” over the barbs. A lot of times the clamp is just for extra insurance and isn’t required. If you’re leaking with a clamp, it may be too much rigidity+clamp causing the issue.

I never used the braided for a reef tank. Have you tried a regular vinyl hose?

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

Why don’t you just put some reef safe silicone? That’ll fix the issue

 

[Pard62]

Maybe move the clamp further away from the hex so it's clamping on the barbs themselves? It looks like it's right again the hex used for tightening.
Edit
Yep looked at it again zoomed in and clamp is too far forward.

its a long barb, issue happens no matter where clamp is, also have a more aggressive barbed barb still leaks but only on the supply side of the UV. exit side has no clamp just barb, no leak lol


I've ordered some 3/4 ratchet clamps from BRS so I'm not using hose clamps

 

[Pard62]

Why don’t you just put some reef safe silicone? That’ll fix the issue

might be a solution. coat the barb before inserting into hose?

 

[Peace River]

Was the hose still soft from heat when you tightened the clamp? If not, the clamp may not be fully cinching the braided hose because of the rigidity.

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

might be a solution. coat the barb before inserting into hose?

Yup. It will cure nice and sealed.

 

[Pard62]

Was the hose still soft from heat when you tightened the clamp? If not, the clamp may not be fully cinching the braided hose because of the rigidity.

it was still soft yes

 

[jDoSe]

might be a solution. coat the barb before inserting into hose?

Messy and unnecessary. You said you tried multiple brands of braided reinforced hose. Did you ever try regular vinyl hose?

Why do you think you need reinforced?

 

[Pard62]

I would have guessed hose too large as well.

Maybe because it’s braided it never “molds” over the barbs. A lot of times the clamp is just for extra insurance and isn’t required. If you’re leaking with a clamp, it may be too much rigidity+clamp causing the issue.

I never used the braided for a reef tank. Have you tried a regular vinyl hose?

I have not no, I worry about kinking but may be able to make non braided work, its an option

 

[vetteguy53081]

So,

Even though i've lost it before, I'm losing my mind again. This time it's due to a leak on my UV plumbing and no matter what I try it continues to leak at the barb fitting.

you would think that its the threaded part, but no, its leaking around the barb itself. not a lot, maybe a dime sized spot after several hours, but a leak regardless. I've tried different barbed fittings, different braided nylon hoses, brands, etc. still same issue. clamps, no clamps, still slow drips over time.

It's not like I'm feeding it with a 10k GPM, 2400 PSI pump. Just a Vectra M2 at about 40%, head height is only from under stand of my waterbox 7225 up to the returns.

plumbing is 3/4 braided nylon hose to a 3/4 barb into and out of the UV

Hose on an actagon shaped fitting will not give 100% seal.
You can either :
Add a round tube at the end
.OR
place aquarium sealant inside the hose and clamp with a nylon tie instead of a clamp that will eventually rust

 

[exnisstech]

Is there flow through the uv unit? Just throwing that out there because a restrictions would increase the pressure