Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I found that silicone wasn't that reliable with sealing my connections on the blue barrels, especially as I kept changing them around until I got them right...

What I did find was that 2 screw type connectors, ie one male, one female with a piece of flat rubber between them worked a treat.

See picture below.
No more leaks and things can easily be changed around.

clever boy, just in time for ours!

Simmo has also used blutak for plastic bins

oh yeah, the rubber seal is on the inside of the tank, right?

Blu-Tack is OK, but wouldn't hold under pressure. I still have to re-knead it every now and then to plug the odd leak.

Duct Tape Guys and Gals Duct tape

Just listen to good ol' Red Green Canada's Handyman:

And remember, this fix is only temporary, unless it works

The handyman's secret weapon - duct tape

Jaymie,
I have used the rubber on the outside, but I guess either could work

Yep - those connectors are the go, I ran a bit of silicone on the thread and inside and have had no leaks whatsoever - only got 300mm of water pressure tho

the polypropylene family of plastics has no known solvents that means it can not be glued. It can be welded with a heat gun and a similar filler rod or much easier, as pointed out the best way to seal is to use a rubber washer on the inside this is held by a "back nut" then on the out side another backnut. You can see what a back nut looks like if you take a peak at your toilet system the inlet valve is held by a back nut. They are available from plumbing supply places for a couple of cents each and come in every pipe size available and are a (bsp) thread british standard pipe which is the industry standard for plumbing fittings.

Hey Bluefin, a REAL plumber! Wow! Will you be my friend? We could always use a good plumber!
You'll be able to get all of your pipes and fittings for trade prices AND have access to lots of second hand stuff!

Plumbers are also adept at gravel washing Jaymie :bounce:

nah, we've given up on washing gravel, it's fine without it! But thanks for offering to help Les.

Les hiding :hiding: .......gravel! who mentioned gravel