150 Gallon Build Thread ... From the Start

cfsinc said:
I also posted this under equipment ...

Has anybody had a leak with the quick-connection on an Eheim?

We have a 2217 and have pinpointed the tiny leak (1 small drop every hour or so) to where the Eheim tubing connects to the quick-connect valve.

I have tried several times making a new connection. I have tried heating the tubing under warm water so it forms to the connection. I have tried teflon tape. I have tried everything I can think of.

Any successful patches / solutions?

Is it best just to order a new quick-connect valve.
Click to expand...

Coy,

I have a 2217 and also had a small leak that occurred after a couple of reconnect cycles of the double tap connectors. My leak was on the 12mm hose (outlet) and I traced the leak to the o-ring seal. After a LOT of searching (where I found that many others had the same problem) I came upon the following solutions:

1. Make sure that the connectors are oriented to have water flow from the male end to the female end (at the point of connection). This reduces the amount of pressure at the o-ring. In this orientation, the valve tips should be pointing in the opposite direction of water flow.

2. Clean and lubricate the connection area at the o-ring itself. Use the included lubricant (it was in a sealed package). Otherwise use vaseline. I find that the o-rings are a bit small in that they don't seem to sit very high above the surface of the retaining groove so they don't compress very much when connected.

3. Purchase some spare o-rings just in case (Eheim P/N 7287148 - I found them online at Trilby Tropicals). Cheaper than a spare connector.

So far #1 and #2 above seem to be working for me. Hope this helps.

roadracr
 
I got distracted by my own tank and haven't dropped by to see your thread in a while. glad to see you're making so much progress- well done! love the tank and ALL the amusing commentary ;)
cheers-K
 
Coy, for adding substrate, not much to worry about, but follow these steps to avoid clouding the water again:
1. Wash the substrate thoroughly (as per normal)
2. Put it in a bucket and top off with clean water or tank-water and ensure that there's a bit of water over the top of the substrate. (stirr it a bit to release trapped air-bubbles)
3. Use a cup or plastic container to scoop the substrate out of the bucket.
- Leave some water from the bucket in your container or cup, (just above the substrate again.) The reason being that any small particles would normally get into your tank-water if there's air between the substrate-particles. The air would whirl up, taking those dust/small particles with them. Less chance with water already capturing them.
4. Put the container in the tank (under an angle so that water from the tank gets in slowly, then bring the container to the bottom and topple it over as close to the bottom as possible.

If you're in a hurry, simply use the bucket itself with some clean tap-water on top of the substrate. Just make sure that most air has been released before adding to the tank.

No other problems, after adding it, just slowly disperse it through the tank.
 
roadracr said:
Coy,

I have a 2217 and also had a small leak that occurred after a couple of reconnect cycles of the double tap connectors. My leak was on the 12mm hose (outlet) and I traced the leak to the o-ring seal. After a LOT of searching (where I found that many others had the same problem) I came upon the following solutions:

1. Make sure that the connectors are oriented to have water flow from the male end to the female end (at the point of connection). This reduces the amount of pressure at the o-ring. In this orientation, the valve tips should be pointing in the opposite direction of water flow.

2. Clean and lubricate the connection area at the o-ring itself. Use the included lubricant (it was in a sealed package). Otherwise use vaseline. I find that the o-rings are a bit small in that they don't seem to sit very high above the surface of the retaining groove so they don't compress very much when connected.

3. Purchase some spare o-rings just in case (Eheim P/N 7287148 - I found them online at Trilby Tropicals). Cheaper than a spare connector.

So far #1 and #2 above seem to be working for me. Hope this helps.

roadracr
Click to expand...

Thanks a bunch. It sounds like mine is the exact leak you found. I havent' been able to trace it to the connection - it seems to be come more from where the tubing attaches. But, I will certainly give your suggestions a try. What I read / found / saw said to point the valve tips in the direction of the water flow. You point yours in the opposite direction - correct? If it cuts down on the pressure on the O-ring it only makes sense.

I will take it apart tomorrow and lubricate the O-ring. See if I can get it to stop the small leak.

Thanks again racr for the help.
 
Luc said:
Coy, for adding substrate, not much to worry about, but follow these steps to avoid clouding the water again:
1. Wash the substrate thoroughly (as per normal)
2. Put it in a bucket and top off with clean water or tank-water and ensure that there's a bit of water over the top of the substrate. (stirr it a bit to release trapped air-bubbles)
3. Use a cup or plastic container to scoop the substrate out of the bucket.
- Leave some water from the bucket in your container or cup, (just above the substrate again.) The reason being that any small particles would normally get into your tank-water if there's air between the substrate-particles. The air would whirl up, taking those dust/small particles with them. Less chance with water already capturing them.
4. Put the container in the tank (under an angle so that water from the tank gets in slowly, then bring the container to the bottom and topple it over as close to the bottom as possible.

If you're in a hurry, simply use the bucket itself with some clean tap-water on top of the substrate. Just make sure that most air has been released before adding to the tank.

No other problems, after adding it, just slowly disperse it through the tank.
Click to expand...

Excellent Luc - thanks for all the tips! I think we may add some across the back half of the tank.
 
kyle3 said:
I got distracted by my own tank and haven't dropped by to see your thread in a while. glad to see you're making so much progress- well done! love the tank and ALL the amusing commentary ;)
cheers-K
Click to expand...

Kyle - glad to see you are back to check it out ... thanks for the compliment. And, yes, the amusing commentary makes this thread all the better!
 
jameshilljr said:
That is absolutely stunning! One of the nicest looking setups I have ever seen...:thm:
As your sig says "You may be done; but you are never finished!"-so what's next?:evil_lol:
Click to expand...

Wow - I really appreciate it. What's next is to plant this baby out. Many, many months ahead (the real fun part) with this 150. Thanks for checking it out!
 
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