Leaky Plumbing.

[reeferkeeper420]

So i got my fragtank all plumbed together, light hung filled up with water turned on the return and walla. I have leaky plumbing. Normally this type of thing can be fixed relatively easy but, i cant get any of the plumbing apart now..its leaking out of where the bulkhead and male threaded adapter is. I put unions in just incase i needed to do stuff like this but the one i need to take apart is stuck together aswell.. and i cant twist it without untwisting the bulkhead and water going everywhere..what do i do?? Is there something i can put around it to stop the leak?

 

[scubasteve]

not really anything that is reef safe. you could drop your water level let stuf dry and try filling the void with the regular runny superglue @Pipes is the plumbing master im sure he has learned a few tricks over the years

 

[reef keeper]

Pictures.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Right where the bulkhead head and the pvc meet. The threads are leaking.

 

[AdInfinitum]

Have you put a strap wrench on the union to loosen it?

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Ive tried wrenchs, brute force. It wont budge..im wondering if somehow the pvc cement got in the threads when i was gluing?? That or i just over tightened..but its basically everythings stuck on there and theonly thing that can be done is draining it cutting the pvc and replace the bulkhead and pvc.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

But id really like to avoid that.

 

[heath]

if you can't loosen it with a wrench then my guess would be that there is glue in there.. you could always cut the pvc, fix what needs to be fixed and reconnect it with a coupler...

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Id have to drain it and replace the whole bulkhead.. just got the union apart now.

 

[heath]

or, if you have no plans to disassemble that tank you could run a bead of silicone around were its leaking..but, if you ever decide to TRY and take it apart you are going to have a hellva job...

 

[heath]

if the bulkhead is threaded could it be cross threaded...

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Well i dont really care if its permanent. I was already think.silicone, jut dont know if itll make a proper seal on pvc.

 

[heath]

it should or try the pvc glue.. that will work as well...

 

[scubasteve]

if water is leaking out anything you put over it will just be pushed away by the water pressure. gorilla glue reacts with water and expands as it cures. not sure if that would do it tho.

 

[reef keeper]

Drain it and replace bulkhead down to union. You know what's going to happen if you don't.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Put some silicone on it. Will try tomorrow after it cures. Hopefully it works.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Theres no pressure right now, its not running.

 

[Pipes]

Use a towel on the floor. Then take it apart.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Use a towel on the floor. Then take it apart.

I tried there was no taking it out.it either stayed or the whole bulkhead unscrewed with it.