PhosBan Reactor Leaking

[JeffJ]

Hey All-

Have you guys had any trouble with your TwoLittleFishies reactors leaking? I opened mine to change out the media and then closed and replaced. Now I have a fairly substantial leak at the threads. I still have the world's thinnest O-ring (supplied in the box) and it seems to be seating correctly (not cross-threaded). I've tried several times but still get the same leak. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
jeff

 

[melev]

Silicone grease may help. You might need a new O-ring.

 

[psteeleb]

@Marc wrote:

agree with MArc - I had some leak about 75% of the time I changged out the media and put the lid back on. I greased them up with silicone plumbers grease and hardly have any issues since

 

[JeffJ]

ok - something I can find at Lowes? I was thinking plumbers tape on my last brainstorming session.

Thanks!

 

[psteeleb]

@JeffJ wrote:

yes you can find it at lowes or HD - not plumbers tape, but in the same area. It usually comes in a small round container

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[JeffJ]

Perfect - thanks. Grease the outside threads and no worries as far as my tank?

 

[psteeleb]

@JeffJ wrote:

you can put some grease on the threads but the main thing is to grease that o-ring gasket. Greasing te gasket will make it more plyable and slippery to help prevent it from binding and crimping when you put the lid back on.

 

[JeffJ]

Nice - okay thanks for clarifying - I would have done that wrong!

PS - is your O-Ring super thin (almost like a sheet of paper)?

 

[psteeleb]

@JeffJ wrote:

nope - mine are a ~1/8" thick rubber o-ring - hmm, but my reactors are the older 150's so they may have changed them

 

[melev]

The paper thin gasket is to prevent the lid from binding. There is supposed to be a o-ring around the base of the threads or the inner rim of the lid. Can't remember.

 

[JeffJ]

Thanks - that explains some things....any ideas what size that gasket is and where I can get another quick?

Thanks again guys...
Jeff

 

[psteeleb]

@JeffJ wrote:

your LFS may have them if they sell the reactor
I bought some spares a few months back online for the "just in case" situation
you may get lucky and find one at a hardware store as they are dead on 3" in diameter so it may be something you can pick up

pictue is of a used one I pulled out of an old reactor and a new one in the package

[attachment=0]tlf 150 gasket.jpg[/attachment]

 

[JeffJ]

Thanks Pete - ordering a real set to be here next week - will try to find a spare to get me through. Thanks for all the help!

 

[bimmerzs]

Try Elliot's Hardware in Plano, I have also heard of another Hardware store closer to Rockwall but not sure of the name.

Cheers,