Got a leak...HELP!

[princess8077]

I have a leak where the gravity flex tube is attached to the wet/dry -
There is a rubber seal on the outside between the pvc and the acrylc then a nut inside attaches to another elbow leading down to the bubble trap tube.
It's leaking around that seal and I need to know what I can use that wont hurt my water/tank/fish to help with the seal.
Please hurry with replies, it's not a horrible leak but a steady drip and I have a towel down at the moment.

 

[natclanwy]

Can you take a picture? I think you might be talking about a bulkhead fitting but I'm not sure. If it is a bulkhead fitting you can remove it and add some aquarium silicone to the gasket and put it back together, it might just be loose also so try to tighten it a little first and see if it stops.

 

[mdk16]

I had the same thing happen once. Shut off the pump, disassemble the the fitting and make sure that the gasket in not torn or crushed. If it is replace, otherwise clean the gasket, you can also try turning it around. Put some silicone on the gasket and reassemble. Make sure you do not cross thread the fitting and make tight.
Good Luck.

 

[princess8077]

Thanks for the response....where do I get silicone for aquariums?
I think I got it fixed - tightened it just a hair - the seal is already sort of buldging. In the beginning of tank set up - the seal that came with it didnt work, so got a bigger one and fingertight didnt work, tightened until it did, musta worked loose somehow, I think it's good at the moment, but just in case, I dont think I've seen any silicone at my lfs.

 

[natclanwy]

Walmart carries it sometimes other than that try the hardware stores I haven't had any trouble finding it when I needed it.

 

[metweezer]

Silicone is silicone IMO. All the hardware stores have it, Check the paint department. You might have to buy a caulking gun if in comes in a caulking cartridge. Hope this helps,
Steve

 

[princess8077]

Thanks, just wasnt sure if all silicone was just silicone and if any would hurt my water/fishes etc.

 

[a6t9p]

i used the tank silicone before and you can find it at the large pet store chains but i believe if you used just regular silicone it would also work. just make sure it doesn't have all the fancy mildew and mold resistance i believe those have a chemical that could leech into your tank

 

[natclanwy]

Originally Posted by metweezer
http:///forum/post/2499686
Silicone is silicone IMO. All the hardware stores have it, Check the paint department. You might have to buy a caulking gun if in comes in a caulking cartridge. Hope this helps,
Steve
Be careful with this as some silicone has chemicals in it to inhibate mold and algea growth and these will leach into your aquarium possibly killing your tank off.