Silicone doesn't stick that great to most plastics. Try some other glue, like Liquid Nails, or some adhesive glue. Let it set well before you put it under pressure.
Getting very angry w my DIY Co2....
Ok I have my own DIY Co2 and on the cap I have a barb screwed into it and the silicone hosing to my tank fits right on the barb. For those of you that are unfamiliar with a barb it is just a simple plumbing fitting.
Anyways, I have siliconed this thing about 15 times. I have wiped it down with rubbing alcohol and I haven't, I've tried it all. I put big beads of silicone on it and around it and made a huge pile and I have done a nice bead along it inside and out. Nothing seems to hold, I wake up a week later and look and there is air or moisture bubbling out.
I have had it up to here >< with it and I was looking for some ideas.
Anyways, I have siliconed this thing about 15 times. I have wiped it down with rubbing alcohol and I haven't, I've tried it all. I put big beads of silicone on it and around it and made a huge pile and I have done a nice bead along it inside and out. Nothing seems to hold, I wake up a week later and look and there is air or moisture bubbling out.
I have had it up to here >< with it and I was looking for some ideas.
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I usually let it sit for 48 hours and I thought I needed to use aquarium safe silicone, because of the toxins in other stuff.
Nah, that's just to keep the glass panes of your fish tank nice and tight together.
Once the smell is gone, glue is dry, pretty safe to use. Especially for your application, where it doesn't even get into contact with tank water.
Once the smell is gone, glue is dry, pretty safe to use. Especially for your application, where it doesn't even get into contact with tank water.
Alright then I will use my dad's industrial grade apoxy.....
Generically speaking, one thing that will help things stick (besides cleaning the surfaces) is roughing them up. Sandpaper, or whatever.
Why use silicone or glue? Just make a hole slightly smaller than the tubing and use pliers to pull the tubing through...It has worked for me and looks better than a blob of silicone....
I used 150grit sandpaper when I did the DIY Co2. Then I seal it with Liquid Nail.
Thats what I have always done and have never had a problem.Why use silicone or glue? Just make a hole slightly smaller than the tubing and use pliers to pull the tubing through...It has worked for me and looks better than a blob of silicone....
X3Thats what I have always done and have never had a problem.
For silicone tubing make it nice and snug, cut the tip at an angle, pull it through.
Exactly what I did and mine is running great.X3
For silicone tubing make it nice and snug, cut the tip at an angle, pull it through.
Ya well for you guys that didn't silicone your tubing into the cap, how much Co2 are you really getting in your tank? How many Bubbles per second or do you have a drop checker?
My statement is your DIY Co2 is probably not being as efficient as it could be with no airtight seal.
My statement is your DIY Co2 is probably not being as efficient as it could be with no airtight seal.
Zack, Trust me, if it's done right it is an airtight seal. You hear the rush of gass when you unscrew it.
If the hole is smaller, when you pull it through the silicone tubing streaches, and gets thinner, then when it's relaxed, it expands back. :thumbsup:
If the hole is smaller, when you pull it through the silicone tubing streaches, and gets thinner, then when it's relaxed, it expands back. :thumbsup:
I use gorilla glue and those tubbing connectors.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/ind.../PET/2769118&fbc=1&parentPage=family&keepsr=1
and then connect the airline to the connector. Works like a charm.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/ind.../PET/2769118&fbc=1&parentPage=family&keepsr=1
and then connect the airline to the connector. Works like a charm.
do this, screw a hole in the top of the cap smaller then the tube, pulll it threw the hole, screw on the top, blow as hard as you want. IT WILL NOT LEAK. there is no was diy co2 will produce half the pressure you just made with your mouth.Ya well for you guys that didn't silicone your tubing into the cap, how much Co2 are you really getting in your tank? How many Bubbles per second or do you have a drop checker?
My statement is your DIY Co2 is probably not being as efficient as it could be with no airtight seal.
do this or buy pressurized co2, the epoxy, gorilla glue, barb in the top, method does nothing but break, and "make" youthink you have a better seal.
I have used the small hole method on all my DIY rigs. I use the same method on my Ghetto bubble counters and my DIY reactors.
It works like a champ if you do it right. You want the smallest possible hole that you can manage to pull the tubing through.
It works like a champ if you do it right. You want the smallest possible hole that you can manage to pull the tubing through.
For standard size silicon tubing use a 11/64" drill. Perfect, leakfree fit!
I had the best success by siliconing both the outside and inside of the cap where the tube goes through. Just don't get silicone on the part where the inside of the cap touches the bottle.
It is an air tight seal, and 11/64 sounds about right. :thumbsup:Ya well for you guys that didn't silicone your tubing into the cap, how much Co2 are you really getting in your tank? How many Bubbles per second or do you have a drop checker?
My statement is your DIY Co2 is probably not being as efficient as it could be with no airtight seal.
"do this, screw a hole in the top of the cap smaller then the tube, pulll it threw the hole, screw on the top, blow as hard as you want. IT WILL NOT LEAK. there is no was diy co2 will produce half the pressure you just made with your mouth."
this is so wrong, if your DIY bottle is sealed tightly with no way for gas to escape it would explode. It can produce far more pressure than you could ever produce with your mouth.
I use ceramic nano diffusers on some of my tanks and I sure can't blow air through them with my mouth, but the bottles of CO2 do just fine.
this is so wrong, if your DIY bottle is sealed tightly with no way for gas to escape it would explode. It can produce far more pressure than you could ever produce with your mouth.
I use ceramic nano diffusers on some of my tanks and I sure can't blow air through them with my mouth, but the bottles of CO2 do just fine.
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