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Small leak Help
- Thread starter S Hunter
- Start date
nomah1918
Biologist Aquarist Teach
i have fixed pin hole leaks with a welding heat gun before...the kind you can make poly sumps with...
I just used pvc rod instead of poly rod...
shut down pump to depressurize pump...and if possible empty water from pipe...then weld some rod all the way around the joint...
The welding gun is like a super hot hair dryer with a welding tip on it that feeds the rod as it welds the rod to the pvc fitting and pipe...
...let it cool then re-prime the pump and pipe and fire it up and check for leak...repeat weld if neccessary...
Good luck.
I just used pvc rod instead of poly rod...
shut down pump to depressurize pump...and if possible empty water from pipe...then weld some rod all the way around the joint...
The welding gun is like a super hot hair dryer with a welding tip on it that feeds the rod as it welds the rod to the pvc fitting and pipe...
...let it cool then re-prime the pump and pipe and fire it up and check for leak...repeat weld if neccessary...
Good luck.
Reefdweller
Non-member
Use PVC Solvent to Fix PVC Leak
You should be able to use PVC joint compound which is basically a solvent which melts the PVC and and turns it to liquid plastic. I would put a small amount of PVC joint compound on th hole- let it sit for 10 to 15 seconds and then with your finger try to push the molten PVCover the hole. As the solvent evaporates, the PVC will reharden. You can get the PVC joint compound at HD.
You should be able to use PVC joint compound which is basically a solvent which melts the PVC and and turns it to liquid plastic. I would put a small amount of PVC joint compound on th hole- let it sit for 10 to 15 seconds and then with your finger try to push the molten PVCover the hole. As the solvent evaporates, the PVC will reharden. You can get the PVC joint compound at HD.
Scuba_Dave
Non-member
I've always just slapped some PVC cement on the outside
If you have an air compressor Harbor Freight has a cheap plastic welding kit
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=41592
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=41592
nomah1918
Biologist Aquarist Teach
This is the welding gun i use as described in my above post...make sure you get what is called a "tacking" tip...and the tip for feeding the rods to weld water tight joints...
...I have used the pvc glue trick on a dripping fitting...but I find it is often a temporary fix...the leak may come back at some point...the leaks i fixed with the welder never return...
...also...you can weld together your own custom sumps and holding tanks...algae scrubbers...lids...refugia...baffles...etc....
...with the proper rods...you can weld PVC, Polyethylene, and Polypropylene...
...you can also bend all three materials by removing the tip and just using the hot air to heat a sheet or piece into whatever shape you want...this takes some practice and finesse...but results can be very professional looking when you get it right....
...just trying to give you a bunch of justifications for the investment...
http://www.hotairtools.com/ghibli_hot_air_gun.htm
...I have used the pvc glue trick on a dripping fitting...but I find it is often a temporary fix...the leak may come back at some point...the leaks i fixed with the welder never return...
...also...you can weld together your own custom sumps and holding tanks...algae scrubbers...lids...refugia...baffles...etc....
...with the proper rods...you can weld PVC, Polyethylene, and Polypropylene...
...you can also bend all three materials by removing the tip and just using the hot air to heat a sheet or piece into whatever shape you want...this takes some practice and finesse...but results can be very professional looking when you get it right....
...just trying to give you a bunch of justifications for the investment...
http://www.hotairtools.com/ghibli_hot_air_gun.htm
