Herbie Emergency Standpipe Leaking Inside Overflow

[BigJohnny]

Hey Reefers,

Just tested out my fresh build and the emergency standpipe is leaking inside the overflow. When I say leak I mean a very slow drip. Normally it wouldn't bother me and certainly doesn't effect normal operation but when I do power outage tests\ there is an additional drain period of several hours that empties everything BELOW the full siphon drain. The water from this extra half of the overflow raises the water level in my skimmer chamber. I did not design my sump to accommodate more than the return line siphon draining and the draining of the overflow down to the full siphon drain. Sure, my sump can take all the water, but my skimmer chamber rises ever so slightly.

My emergency standpipe is threaded because I wanted to be able to remove it and adjust the height during set-up and be able to inspect it/replace it if necessary. Is JC Whitlam Thread Sealant suitable for this application? I used it on my RODI storage tank system and I know it is non-toxic but I am concerned actually using it within the tank could cause issues if I got some down the the drain by accident. My username should be "Paranoid Reefer" since all signs point to it being okay, but boy it smells toxic. I would use tape but I know it is actually bad for threaded pvc and can cause breaking of the threads and leaks down the road which I would rather not deal with. (I know many people have had success). Thoughts? The other advantage to BLUE MAGIC is that you can easily dissemble the connection because it does not harden.

Here is the product page:

http://www.jcwhitlam.com/Product/1/111/135#

Just need some re-assurance, hopefully even from someone who has used the exact same thing!

Thanks,

Jon

 

[BigJohnny]

Would love to hear from a chemist or someone who could actually tell me what this would chemically add/break down into in my tank if some got into the system by accident. Even THE @Randy Holmes-Farley

 

[sbash]

When I bought the pipe and fittings for my 220 Gallon system, I went to a PVC piping company. As PVC specialists, they had a different teflon tape than was available at, say, Home Depot. It was pink and about twice the thickness of the standard white stuff. They claim it is best for plastic plumbing, especially with water. I have not had a single problem with it. That said, I used the white tape for years and also had no issues (although I found with plastics I had to use more than a couple wrap arounds)...

 

[BigJohnny]

When I bought the pipe and fittings for my 220 Gallon system, I went to a PVC piping company. As PVC specialists, they had a different teflon tape than was available at, say, Home Depot. It was pink and about twice the thickness of the standard white stuff. They claim it is best for plastic plumbing, especially with water. I have not had a single problem with it. That said, I used the white tape for years and also had no issues (although I found with plastics I had to use more than a couple wrap arounds)...

Thanks. Is it difficult to remove a fitting that's been aggressively teflon taped? I would like to be able to remove the standpipe without putting too much pressure on the bulkhead when turning.

 

[sbash]

Thanks. Is it difficult to remove a fitting that's been aggressively teflon taped? I would like to be able to remove the standpipe without putting too much pressure on the bulkhead when turning.

I have never had an issue... The tape does add a bit of resistance, but as long as you do not put it on too tightly you should be able to remove it (as with an threaded plastic device)...

 

[BigJohnny]

This blue magic stuff is great and I have used on my RODI system, but I am more concerned about using it on my tank for some reason. It's weird, how can something being non-toxic, suitable for potable water, and have all those NSF ratings, yet have all these warnings about ingestion and skin contact? I get it is more concentrated, but still, is that all? It doesn't harden or cure like PVC glue (to the best of my knowledge, atleast i cant find anything on cure times and I know it doesn't harden). Usually the curing process is what makes things non toxic to be around (pvc glue, oil based paint, etc).

I just don't get how something can be non toxic and toxic at the same time

 

[Smo]

Plasto Joint Stik. Non-toxic, for potable water. Designed for plastic threads and doesn't harden so you can easily remove years later. You can find it on eBay.

 

[sbash]

This blue magic stuff is great and I have used on my RODI system, but I am more concerned about using it on my tank for some reason. It's weird, how can something being non-toxic, suitable for potable water, and have all those NSF ratings, yet have all these warnings about ingestion and skin contact? I get it is more concentrated, but still, is that all? It doesn't harden or cure like PVC glue (to the best of my knowledge, atleast i cant find anything on cure times and I know it doesn't harden). Usually the curing process is what makes things non toxic to be around (pvc glue, oil based paint, etc).

I just don't get how something can be non toxic and toxic at the same time

Yeah, that is a bit sketchy. Perhaps it is non-toxic, in the sense it does not leach anything into the water; but is harmful if consumed directly?

Do you have a TDS meter?

If so, you could test the stuff in some RODI water. Get a source reading (should be close to zero), put some of the blue magic into a container with direct RODI water. Let it sit a week and take another reading; that is the best I can think of to test...

Does it harden (i.e. cure), or stay soft?

 

[BigJohnny]

I ended up talking to a rep at JC whitlam, it is 100% non-toxic. He said they even eat it at demonstrations (although he wouldn't recommend it because it burns and is disgusting). He says it can be irritating if directly consumed in concentrated form in significant quantities, but the solvent evaporates almost immediately because there is not much in it at all and it doesn't harden. It can be pressurized and used on potable water immediately after application. That was good enough for me. I love this stuff, i believe it is similar to the plasto joint stik @Smo mentioned. It is super easy to apply, not messy, and actually lubricates the joint as your screwing it in. It does not harden and you can easily unscrew the joint over 10 years later. I made sure to only apply it to the middle threads so that it wouldn't be oozing out the top or bottom (its not very oozy to begin with but just in case!) Pretty darn cool!

 

[john.m.cole3]

Plasto Joint Stik. Non-toxic, for potable water. Designed for plastic threads and doesn't harden so you can easily remove years later. You can find it on eBay.

+1 it'a on amazon also and works great

 

[sbash]

+1 it'a on amazon also and works great

Would this also work to fill gaps around O rings?

I just drilled some un-even glass and the bulkhead washer was not good enough; so I added a series of O rings. The O rings are working thus far, but I would still feel better with something else added in there, lol...

 

[Smo]

Would this also work to fill gaps around O rings?

I just drilled some un-even glass and the bulkhead washer was not good enough; so I added a series of O rings. The O rings are working thus far, but I would still feel better with something else added in there, lol...

Plasto Joint Stik is designed as a lubricant and sealer for threaded plastic fittings. Not sure how it would perform as a gasket sealer. Was your bulkhead washer brand new? It should conform to the glass.

 

[sbash]

Plasto Joint Stik is designed as a lubricant and sealer for threaded plastic fittings. Not sure how it would perform as a gasket sealer. Was your bulkhead washer brand new? It should conform to the glass.

Yeah, I wondered about that, thanks... The glass is slightly curved, so it is impossible for the flat bulkhead washer seal all the way around. i.e. If the flange on the bulkhead was curved to conform to the glass, it would probably work. I did get it to seal, so for some peace of mind I may just fill the gap space on the outside with some caulking (which may not technically work, but it will make me feel better, lol)...