leaking, silicon maybe not

This is my first attempt at a UC RDWC. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4k9R2g022c&feature=plcp. The problem I am having is in the connection tot he round bucket. I know a square bucket would be better but round is the way it will be. I have a 2 inch pipe threaded going through the hole into the bucket, with a plastic pvc nut on the other side clamping it together from the other side. It is still not super tight and obviously not water proof. I have tried using silicon to close up this leak but it seems unreliable at best as the first try half of the connections leaked. I can get some Grommets from Current Culture but they are close to 8 bucks a pop and when I would need 14 per set up it adds up really quick. Any suggestions? qqqwwswsssswqqqwqiuyoihougouobuh

Try a thick rubber washer or gasket, maybe even a few thinner ones if you can't find some thicker ones. Should be able to find some at the hardware store.

tallen said:

Try a thick rubber washer or gasket, maybe even a few thinner ones if you can't find some thicker ones. Should be able to find some at the hardware store.

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I tried a local Lowes and 2 home depots to no availe.

Current culture sells 1 that would be perfect but its around 10 bucks a pop.

I found a 2 inch rubber gasket at a local pool supply shop, they called a "return gasket" that seems to be just what I need, however its 6.50, and when I need 14+ for this project that adds up quick. Any idea where I could find one online?

They are called bulkheads. Try tractor supply or find uniseals.

superstoner1 said:

They are called bulkheads. Try tractor supply or find uniseals.

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I wasn't able to find any, mind posting a link?

Getting a seal with buckets and not using uniseals is almost impossible. You would be much better off getting square/rectangle containers to save yourself a lot of issues in the future!

Uniseals are the only thing that will give you a watertight seal on a curved surface, assuming you drill the hole smoothly.

Use a stepper bit (looks like an elongated cone), not a hole saw (looks like a cup with serrated cutting edge). if you're using a hole saw, don't use a plug in drill. too much torque. I find that an 18v cordless drill with a halfway depleted battery works perfectly. If you can adjust the torque, turn it down to just barely enough to get the bit to work and not much more. Also, spin it up to full speed before you start drilling and let it spin down completely before pulling it back through the hole.

For flat surface, bulkheads really are the best/easiest solution.

If it's a slow drip in a new system (1drop or less peR second), sometimes it will seal itself over a couple of weeks. Use a cup, bowl, or plastic Runoff tray for pots to catch the drip until the gap mineralizes itself and plugs the leak. Leave the white crusty stuff on there: that's what's plugging the leak.

^Slanty said:

Getting a seal with buckets and not using uniseals is almost impossible. You would be much better off getting square/rectangle containers to save yourself a lot of issues in the future!

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Where can I find these uniseals? I tried amazon but didn't see anything that looked right, any chance you can post a link?

JoshTheMadTitan said:

Where can I find these uniseals? I tried amazon but didn't see anything that looked right, any chance you can post a link?

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http://www.aquaticeco.com/

Lots of goodies!

I just picked up some uniseal / bulkhead fittings from eBay. Cheaper than I found at any online store and shipping was fast!

^Slanty said:

Getting a seal with buckets and not using uniseals is almost impossible. You would be much better off getting square/rectangle containers to save yourself a lot of issues in the future!

Click to expand...

change to square next time

go to ace and get plumbign putty.

it will solve this run..

I discovered a 2 inches rubberized gasket at a regional share provide store, they known as a "return gasket" that seems to be just what I need, however its 6.50, and when I need 14+ for this venture that contributes up fast. Any concept where I might discover one online?

aquarium stores will sell uni-seals usually. My local hyrdo store does too so I have no issues finding them or the bulkheads from cch20.

In all honestly Im not to impressed with the bulkheads from cch20. If you dont have everything square and perfect the containers will flex and cause a leak. Also if you go to tighten them and they need to be super tight they will spin right back off and it ruins the integrity of the plastic.

I would have rather bought uni-seals and muscled them for a leak proof fit.

It seems I have a working system, but I have put the cart ahead of the horse. Everything is planed out and works great but the first step, non leaking buckets has put a stop to the project. So I have started over. I have to use round buckets for 2 reasons. 1 they are only 2 bucks at homedepot compared to 12 dollars for square ones online which I can't just go grab if I need a new one for some reason. 2. I have these nice 5 gallon bucket net pot lids I am using that wont fit a round bucket. So I am pretty firm on the round buckets for now. I have purchased 3 separate fittings. One is the double side, butterfly, or return gasket, it has a few names. This fits in the hole and the pipe passes through it and I can tighted the lug on from the other side (5.99 plus tax at local pool store). I will then silicon it on for added seal. The second is a uniseal, 2 inch, which I already ordered and will also silicon in place(5.49 ebay). The third is a round flat rubber washer, one of each will be placed on either side of the wall of the bucket, and will be treated much as the butterfly gasket. (0.49 and two needed for a single connections but far inaway the cheapest.) Once I make a connection with each I will let it dry for a day or two, then fill the bucket and apply stress and movement to each connection to see which holds up the best. I will keep this updated by the end of the week once I get all the pieces in the mail and try it out. If you know of a place to get any of these gaskets cheaper PLEASE POST THe LINK!!!!!

https://www.rollitup.org/dwc-bubbleponics/497270-how-rdwc-ucdwc-diy-advanced.html

see this

If done properly, silicon should not be necessary. It is not what you should be relying on to keep/make a seal. As for your one method of putting 1 gasket on either side of the container, well, if it is a bulkhead fitting and not a uniseal, then both of the gaskets should be on the inside.

To throw a couple more options at you, I've heard plumbers GOOP works great, but I've never tried it myself. You could also use hot glue and maybe even aquarium silicone over the top of that just for sh1ts and giggles.