well the pipe tape worked for the most part (still leaking a little and im sure that is effecting the pressure some but not too much)... this thing seems soooo slow (50gpd) lol... probably need 165g to get it up and running but i still need to build the stand (this weekend) and finish the plumbing so i have a little time... hope to have the cycle started by monday but this is a little optomistic seeing how i need to also get rock and salt... sorry if these posts are irritating to you, i like to talk to myself on here a lot... lol...