Duct Tape in the Aquarium

[jamesonwhiskey]

I have a hose that keeps sliding out... it could be easily fixed with some duct tape, however it would be submerged in water. Would the adhesive from the duct tape harm my inhabitants?

 

[smoq]

I wouldn't trust glue on duct tape. What you can do is buy a similiar size PVC coupling and epoxy it to the wall

 

[Custom05Taco]

Why take the chance can you use a plastic hose clamp.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

 

[marrone]

What is the hose connect to? It would be better to use something plastic, like a zip tie or plastic clamp. I would think in time the duck tape would come off, as if the water doesn't do it the salt will.

 

[jamesonwhiskey]

What is the hose connect to? It would be better to use something plastic, like a zip tie or plastic clamp. I would think in time the duck tape would come off, as if the water doesn't do it the salt will.

Good point... the tube is in a compression fitting on my sump pump so a clamp or zip tie wouldn't work. I can't tighten or untighten it anymore... I don't want to use WD-40 or anything like that to loosen it so it looks like my only option is to get a new sump pump!

 

[KathyC]

Good point... the tube is in a compression fitting on my sump pump so a clamp or zip tie wouldn't work. I can't tighten or untighten it anymore... I don't want to use WD-40 or anything like that to loosen it so it looks like my only option is to get a new sump pump!

..is the compression fitting made of brass?
If so - you need to get that out of your tank.

..and duct tape won't stick on wet things

Can you post a pic of the issue in question?

 

[jamesonwhiskey]

..is the compression fitting made of brass?
If so - you need to get that out of your tank.

..and duct tape won't stick on wet things

Can you post a pic of the issue in question?

I have to dig it out of the sump later today but I think part of it might be brass... what's wrong with having brass? I've never heard anything about that before.

How do you connect up your pump to the return line without a compression fitting?

 

[smoq]

..is the compression fitting made of brass?
If so - you need to get that out of your tank.

+1000 brass is an alloy of aluminum and copper and copper is the deadliest chemical element in a reef tank

 

[jamesonwhiskey]

+1000 brass is an alloy of aluminum and copper and copper is the deadliest chemical element in a reef tank

I've never thought of it that way! I wonder if that's what really caused my recent tank crash.

So what's the best way of connecting my pump to the return? My return tube is 3/4" and goes from pump through chiller to display tank.

 

[KathyC]

Post a pic please and we can tell you how to fix it TODAY.


Also - you really need that out of there NOW, each day it is adding more toxins into your tank..and oh yes, it will crash your tank.

Go and buy a couple of 'Poly Pads' - they are used to remove heavy metals from an aquarium - put them in a high flow area (like in your sump) so they start to get that crap out of your tank.

 

[jamesonwhiskey]

While I'm at it... any issue with metal cable clamps? Not sure what they are made of but they're the standard silver ones from home depot

 

[jamesonwhiskey]

Post a pic please and we can tell you how to fix it TODAY.


Also - you really need that out of there NOW, each day it is adding more toxins into your tank..and oh yes, it will crash your tank.

Go and buy a couple of 'Poly Pads' - they are used to remove heavy metals from an aquarium - put them in a high flow area (like in your sump) so they start to get that crap out of your tank.

I've had my last tank before the crash with the same setup for over a year... wouldn't it have caused issues long before that? Let me get into my sump and make sure it if it's brass.

 

[KathyC]

While I'm at it... any issue with metal cable clamps? Not sure what they are made of but they're the standard silver ones from home depot

Argh... yes, they need to go too.
They sell plastic hose clamps.
NOTHING made of metal should be in a fish tank..except perhaps parts built into a sumbmersible pump. Never add anything made of metal of a fish tank!!

 

[KathyC]

I've had my last tank before the crash with the same setup for over a year... wouldn't it have caused issues long before that? Let me get into my sump and make sure it if it's brass.

If it's made of brass - it needs to go.it won't tell you on it what it is made of, but that IS what compressions fittings are made of...

 

[jamesonwhiskey]

If it's made of brass - it needs to go.it won't tell you on it what it is made of, but that IS what compressions fittings are made of...

Ok I have a plastic valve but then a brass compression fitting on that... pics on the way

 

[jamesonwhiskey]

you can see the plastic valve then brass fitting...

 

[jamesonwhiskey]

the green on the fitting shows that it is brass!

 

[jamesonwhiskey]

I don't really need the value... that tube is the same as my return line so what's the best way to get it onto the pump??

 

[KathyC]

I don't really need the value... that tube is the same as my return line so what's the best way to get it onto the pump??

BOTH of those pieces need to go:
they are metal

(Updated you would need to use a gate or ball valve a little further up that return line to adjust the flow..it should not be under the water.

You can get a screw on hose barb and screw it onto the return pump and then attach your return hose to that.

I don't have the time to find the correct pic - but it looks like this only - on the fatter end - there should be threads inside so it screws onto your pump
http://www.fastfittings.com/plastic-adapter

 

[Jaftica]

2- you are never supposed to adjust the flow/pressure on a return pump on the 'out' side of the pump, you do it ONLY on the 'in' side.

http://www.fastfittings.com/plastic-adapter

Never restrict the "in" suction side of a pump