Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Holy mother of god, has anyone got any tips on installing a 3inch pipe in a uniseal? Damn side wall in the ibc keeps bowing in. I've beveled the edges somewhat and use rubbing alcohol for lube. T on the end to help push. Any other tricks out there?

Yes mate, soap, good old hand soap, that is all we used to get the 9 x 4in through in our DWC system.
Just llather it in thick soapy water, both the seal and the pipe.

Welcome to the pain!

I hate them. They would pop through, not go in, look like it's in, then not be in, brute force didn't work, I used dish soap, eco oil, normal soap, orange oil, and smashed it with a hammer, and...

I don't like them.

https://youtu.be/6vAMDZMUE1U?t=1m52s

Or skip to 1 minute 52 seconds.



If you don't want to watch the video, I used a wratchet clamp, and tightened it until the pressure pushed it in. It's the easiest way I found.

Cut some slits (maybe eight) down the length of the tube and bend them in towards the center of the pipe the push your pipe through.
Use some dish washing liquid to lubricate.
Brace the wall around where it's bowing in.

Others have already supplied the answers

Use detergent as the lubricant. You could try having someone push from the otherside of the IBC with a larger diameter pipe around the uniseal to stop it deforming while you push from your side. I haven't tried them myself as I have bulkhead fittings... so my advice is purely theoretical in nature. Good luck!

Instructions for Using THE ORIGINAL UNISEAL

Cut hole to the holesaw size indicated for the UNISEAL you are using. (See specification sheet or back of header card.) Example: 3" UNISEAL = 4" Hole (Holesaw).
Insure that the hole is clean cut with no sharp edges. Irregularities could cause poor sealing and ultimate leakage.
Insert the UNISEAL into the hole with the wide side facing the pipe to be inserted.
Make certain that the pipe end to be inserted is clean cut. File the edges so that there are no sharp points to cut the UNISEAL.
Using detergent, lubricate the outside of the pipe end to be inserted, then push the pipe through the UNISEAL from the large flange side. The detergent will be squeezed off as the pipe passes through the UNISEAL. The co-efficient of friction of the rubber holds the pipe tightly in place.

Alright, I'm gonna give a few of those a try, quick question, does it matter which way the uniseal is facing in the Ibc fish tank? Will be gravity feeding pipe to grow beds.

SUCCESS!, So, I took a mixing tin, like for cocktails, boiled the end of the 3 inch pipe, forced it into the tin to taper the end perfectly, little spit, and it slid in like butter. Snug as can be. Hope this helps others as well. Thanks guys!

Rats, this is too late but I sand the end of the PVC so that it's tapered and then push in with the usual soap treatment. If this doesn't work I've used a woodworking clamp or two through the pipe and into the tank with a backer inside to coax the pipe through the uniseal. This works best with short pipes and the clamp head has to be small enough to fit through the pipe of course.

Not a problem, I love all the different solutions everyone has come up with.

I use the slit & Heat gun method if that helps.

I just put in a 3" uniseal. I tapered the pipe lubed the pipe, lubed the uniseal then used a ratchet strap.

Best tip i've ever tried is the boil method. Drop it in a pan of boiling water for a minute or two, carry the pan outside, lube the beveled pipe end with a little soap, use tongs to pull the uniseal out of the hot water, pop it in and immediately work the pipe in. i was fighting with one forever until i found this trick.