Aero Lid Leaking - How to fix?

GreenphoeniX

Well-Known Member
Hey all.

For those of you who have made DIY aero setups - The kind where the res is inside the aero tub itself making it a kind of aero combined with DWC system lol - have you had any troubles with leaks forming around the lid due to water spraying around the top of the tub, collecting between the top of the tubs sides and lid, and then dripping outside of the tub?

Hope that makes sense :eyesmoke: Can anyone give me some suggestions on how to fix this. Any suggestions welcome, but preferably from people with experience with this.

Cheers!
 

LoudBlunts

Well-Known Member
no i havent had that problem, i do however know what you are talking about.


weatherstripping or gasket like lining.
 

smoote1987

Well-Known Member
wally world has these small individual packets of clear silicone sealant, you could try putting a nice thin line around the inside lip of the lid or the outside lip of the tub. I can't remember if there are any problems with using it with plastic but they were only like $2 so it couldn't hurt to try. Good Luck
 

GreenphoeniX

Well-Known Member
Yea I didn't have this problem on my last aero setup, unfortunately when I build I bigger, better one this problem all of a sudden occurs lol ... Thanks for the suggestion, I'll look into that - Best way to attach it???

Any other suggestions still welcome :)

Cheers
 

smoote1987

Well-Known Member
Yea I didn't have this problem on my last aero setup, unfortunately when I build I bigger, better one this problem all of a sudden occurs lol ... Thanks for the suggestion, I'll look into that - Best way to attach it???

Any other suggestions still welcome :)

Cheers
I'm not sure if you are talking to me or the post above but you squeeze the silicone out like wet caulking, i think they were called "One Caulk" or something, and sets dry to the touch in about 30 mins, and completely dry in a few hours. I bought a packet it wasn't hard to use but i don't have the packet anymore so i can only tell you what i remember.

Oh if i haven't been clear yet i'm suggesting adding a thin line of silicone all around the inside of the lid or the outside of the tub. Then let it dry on either and form a custom gasket seal that you create. I think logistically it makes more sense to put the thin line on the inside lip of the lid assuming that the tub is like a rubbermaide tub and has a rounded lip. The lid and sealant would have an easier time slipping over the rounded edges of the tub rather then the stiff edge of the lid trying to slip over the the rounded edge with the added width of the sealant... i'm just guessing though. You could probably just peel it off when its dry if it doesn't work as well.
 

GreenphoeniX

Well-Known Member
I'm not sure if you are talking to me or the post above but you squeeze the silicone out like wet caulking, i think they were called "One Caulk" or something, and sets dry to the touch in about 30 mins, and completely dry in a few hours. I bought a packet it wasn't hard to use but i don't have the packet anymore so i can only tell you what i remember.

Oh if i haven't been clear yet i'm suggesting adding a thin line of silicone all around the inside of the lid or the outside of the tub. Then let it dry on either and form a custom gasket seal that you create. I think logistically it makes more sense to put the thin line on the inside lip of the lid assuming that the tub is like a rubbermaide tub and has a rounded lip. The lid and sealant would have an easier time slipping over the rounded edges of the tub rather then the stiff edge of the lid trying to slip over the the rounded edge with the added width of the sealant... i'm just guessing though. You could probably just peel it off when its dry if it doesn't work as well.
Was talking to poster before you lol ... Your post wasn't there when I posted reply to first message ... Cheers for the suggestions, will look into that too mate!
 

Demosthenese

Well-Known Member
all these other suggestions aside, i have the same problem and the quickest cheapest solution. I had some plastic sheeting, like vapor barrier or paint drop cloth (even large garbage bags). Cut two equal rectangles out of it, both are about a foot wider then my res on all sides. Then cover the res lid with the plastic, tucking in all four sides under the lid so the plastic hangs inside the res for a few inches. Then, cut ur net pot holes out of the plastic with an exacto and replace ur plants. It has worked perfectly for me, and it was the all arround cheapest solution i could figure out.
 

morrisgreenberg

Well-Known Member
i had this issue when i wasnt smart enough to make a hole for the powerline for the pump, then tried silicone, that didnt help, so i made the new hole on top for the line and peeled off the silicone and voila! no more leaks
 

GreenphoeniX

Well-Known Member
i had this issue when i wasnt smart enough to make a hole for the powerline for the pump, then tried silicone, that didnt help, so i made the new hole on top for the line and peeled off the silicone and voila! no more leaks
LOL - I almost made that mistake! - I made holes for the air lines going in and everything, was checking over the design and then thought, hmm, where's the cord for the water pump going to come out? lol, solved the problem before it was a problem! lol

all these other suggestions aside, i have the same problem and the quickest cheapest solution. I had some plastic sheeting, like vapor barrier or paint drop cloth (even large garbage bags). Cut two equal rectangles out of it, both are about a foot wider then my res on all sides. Then cover the res lid with the plastic, tucking in all four sides under the lid so the plastic hangs inside the res for a few inches. Then, cut ur net pot holes out of the plastic with an exacto and replace ur plants. It has worked perfectly for me, and it was the all arround cheapest solution i could figure out.
That sounds like an ultra cheap solution ... Can you take some pics and post them? Your description was good, but just to double check everything. Cheers.
 

LoudBlunts

Well-Known Member
as a suggestion for making holes for power cords and such, you can drill a hole and use either a neoprene collar or use a bar stool rubber foot thingies/floor protector, whatever you call em. they sell em at walmart and lowes.

works great
 
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