Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Does anyone have an easy solution to put a pipe in an Uniseal? I'm not talking about tiny diameters but big diameters. Like 50mm. Really I can't! Even with soap... I drilled a hole in a barrel to make a swirl filter, then adding the Uniseal and struggled on that pipe !


Thanks

did you round the edges of the pipe already? Perhaps the hole is just too small?

the only way i could get my 50mm in was by making a make-shift tool.
basically i got a long threaded bar with some pieces of wood. I fed the threaded bar through 'pusher' piece, through the pvc pipe, then another stopper piece on the inside. i then got some nuts and washers and ratcheted the pipe through.

there are probably easier ways, but after i trying fairy liquid etc, it was the only way that worked for me.

I think TCLynx might have posted that she has a T bar handle that she uses to get more leverage for pushing through the uniseals. I personally soaped it up then rounded the edge of the pipe and still struggled but I eventually managed to muscle it in by laying my barrel on the ground and straddling the barrel to hold it from rolling then put my body weight down on the pipe to push it in... but next time I might try the T handle out of PVC.

I bevel the outside edge of the pvc pipe off at about a 45 degree bevel (towards the center of the pipe), all the way around on the end that goes through the uniseal. I use a stationary belt sander but other things would work if you're careful. I coat the beveled edge using dish washing detergent on that lip and slightly beyond, all the way around just before trying to insert the pipe. If that's not enough I use a bar clamp or clamps with a removable head, setup with the bar through the pipe. I use these clamped against some wood pieces that push against the tank wall to push the pipe in. Once it's starts I usually can push it the rest of the way using my knee or a block of wood and a rubber mallet. Although I've never broken a tank this way I think you do need to be a bit careful. Hope this helps

Hi guys,
So I finally messaged the industry which makes Uniseal, I tried with my english to explain that i couldn’t put a pvc pipe in the Uniseal with wide diameters. Someone responded and told me to try to bring water boiling, put the uniseal in the water and put it in the barrel. So I’ve tried. Water was boiling, i added the Uniseal. I’ve put it off the fire , then set the Uniseal on my barrel, put soap on the pvc pipe, bevelled the pipe and it was so easy!!!
Hope it will help some of you!

Mathias

wow that is so cool. Thank you for finding out.

someone send that to Rob from bits out the back. He would love that on his youtube site.