Stop the LEAKS!!!!

[adonegan15]

I am about 3 weeks into my start up and I have had one issue or leak after another. First leak was determined to be a bad bulkhead. Replaced that then knocked a pipe loose and flooded my floor!!! Cleaned that up and got serious about putting a new ball valve in. Of course I'm doing all this while water is in tank and maneuvering in a tight area around my sump. Anyways after a lot of frustration, money, and time I get all the piping back in place with new ball valves for overflow and return. Start it up and one valve is leaking where the union joins the pvc. Use some leak seal putty and it works for that leak but now the unions to one of the ball valves is leaking from the threaded portion! I used thread pipe tape. Ugh! Is it supposed to be this frustrating starting out? I tried to take it slow and every precaution and still leaky pipes! It's not a huge leak just some drips every 30 seconds into a bowl I placed under it. I might undo it all again and start over or should I just wait it out and hope that salt calcifies in the leak and it fixes itself?

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

How many gallons is he tank? I would buy a 55 gallon trash can, drain the water into that, fix all plumbing issues and refill. Water damage and flooding is no joke. Plus you'd rest easier knowing everything was well put together. Use plenty of plumbing tape on those seals as well.

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

And joints

 

[AZDesertRat]

Never ever use Teflon tape on PVC. All PVC manufacturers recommend using PVC thread sealant sticks such as the LaCo Plasto Joint stick which is designed specifically for threaded PVC fittings. I have used this since 1983 with no drips or leaks both on my aquariums and my swimming pool equipment and won't even consider anything else.
Read my Bulkhead Tips sticky thread for lots more tips and ideas.

 

[ReeferBob]

Threaded sucks, period. Replace all of your threaded connection with slip and your problems will be solved.

 

[CodyRVA]

Threaded sucks, period. Replace all of your threaded connection with slip and your problems will be solved.

Amen! None of my exterior plumbing is threaded, slip all the way.

 

[AZDesertRat]

I am the exact opposite, all threaded with no leaks at all in 13 years and none on my previous systems either.
I hate watching people cut perfectly good fittings apart when they move or decide to change something. When you take the time to properly prepare threaded fittings and use the correct thread lubricant you have zero problems and it can be disassembled and reassembled as many times as you want without throwing anything away. It is expecially nice around valves, unions, changes of direction and diassembly points. No way can you give me glued fittings.

 

[CodyRVA]

I am the exact opposite, all threaded with no leaks at all in 13 years and none on my previous systems either.
I hate watching people cut perfectly good fittings apart when they move or decide to change something. When you take the time to properly prepare threaded fittings and use the correct thread lubricant you have zero problems and it can be disassembled and reassembled as many times as you want without throwing anything away. It is expecially nice around valves, unions, changes of direction and diassembly points. No way can you give me glued fittings.

I think if done properly both are equally effective with individual pros and cons.

Slip or threaded, unions offer the same ability to assemble/disassemble a system. I just moved my system and didn't cut a thing.

Obviously you're locked in with slip once it's glued up, but likely requires less attention to detail and prep time compared to threaded.

 

[Eric G]

This may be a dumb question but, here goes. Did you prime both sides of pipes and fittings and glue? The reason I ask is that i've never had a problem with leaking.

 

[CodyRVA]

This may be a dumb question but, here goes. Did you prime both sides of pipes and fittings and glue? The reason I ask is that i've never had a problem with leaking.

I do with slip fittings.