I've built and rebuilt my RDWC 3 times and i'ts still leaking

[njayjay]

I've just about had it. I set up my 12 bucket system for the 3rd time after sealing around the tub outlets with all different kinds of sealants. I've hose clamped everything. Half the buckets are still leaking no matter what I do. They leak around the tub outlets where I made the holes in the buckets. I overdrilled to the sides on these holes. The leaks are not drastic but they do manage to create a couple of puddles of water in my growroom within half an hour of filling my buckets. Eventually a couple of 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep puddles are formed. It's a concrete floor so they don't worry me all that much but it does look and make it feel messy as hell in the room. I'm wondering if any of yall out there actually run their RDWC with some minor leaks. The only other option I'm considering at this point is some kind of sealant that can be applied in water or on wet surfaces. I am not gonna rebuild this pos again. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[GilligansIsle]

I used a sheet of rubber and cut some gaskets for both the inside and the outside of the buckets, I used these with a DIY bulkhead fitting and solved all of my leaky buckets.

I also used a concrete floor, unfortunately there was no drain. You could get a bit of pond liner and make a shallow lagoon(dry hopefully) with four pieces if 1x1 underneath for the edges. It is relatively durable and it provides a ton of peace of mind, especially if you must be away for a few days.

Good luck

 

[Ipsissimus]

1. take a break and smoke a doob. let's think about this. it's worth it to get it right, you're talking about at least 3 months of problems!

how do you have the hoses connected to the buckets? you said you drilled holes, but what about the actual connection? Hose directly to bucket? Rubber gasket? intermediate connection? Rubber grommet - if it's thick enough, it shouldn't be a problem if the holes are off some.

try taking separating your worse bucket, and make sure your solution is absolutely 100% before reconnecting and filling up the entire system.

lastly, there's a plumber's teflon tape for leaks that worked well for me on a leaky rdwc. I really regretted not getting it 100%, especially because I was on the 2nd floor w/ o/ a backup liner...plaster disaster!

btw - I usually find rubber grommets with the smaller nuts and bolts etc. in little pull out drawers in hardware stores.

 

[Mickymouse]

Did you use a sharp hole saw of the right size.It cost a few bucks but saves alot of headaces. clean off all burs.I drilled 24 buckets and not one leak.When my outlets went into bucket I had to force it it was such a close fit.No extra gaskets or sealeant of any kind.

 

[Haps]

We understand this is making you crazy, we have all had something mess with us like this. Get calm first and think of your options. There is some kind of epoxy sealer that can work on wet surfaces, but I have not used it on hydro. I would dry the system and reseal every seal even the ones not leaking, then let cure before I tested again. Do not give up.
H

 

[MMAJAY]

As much as you dont want to hear it your better off drying it out. Maybe try getting a better quality fitting. I used square buckets and good fittings and the only time i had leaks is when i was cleaning and loosened fittings accidently. Allways test 1 bucket at a time by makeing a short hose and cap type test fitting. Good rubber gaskets and the proper size hole should eliminate any silicone being needed. A wet sealer is only a temp fix. Remember a small leak might lead to a bigger one with time. Try to stay away from silicone sealants and get them to seal with rubber gaskets or grommets if possible. I aint sure the type of fittings you used but it sounds like they aint worth a crap.

 

[njayjay]

The problem is more the holes than the fittings I used. They were slightly smaller than the fittings so I used a thin metal file to widen them. This created uneven edges around the holes which, well, are driving me insane now. I'm considering buying a new set of buckets and starting over.

 

[gmanwho]

Njayjay. HOT GLUE GUN. But the area needs to be somewhat dry. Drain the water or lower the water levels so the area isnt constantly wet. you could even use the tip of the hot glue gun to sear the plastic together. u can also use the tip to evaporate the water in the glued area. u can also use a wet dry vac if u cant get alot of the water away from the area u need to seal. Hi-temp glue bonds better.

I love my hot glue gun, i seal fittings, fill holes ,glue bubbler stones. best part the glue is semi permanent. Its ready for water in 5-10 minutes.

telling u , hot glue gun, every person who builds there own hydro system should have a hot glue gun. seriously.

B-safe

 

[MMAJAY]

The problem is more the holes than the fittings I used. They were slightly smaller than the fittings so I used a thin metal file to widen them. This created uneven edges around the holes which, well, are driving me insane now. I'm considering buying a new set of buckets and starting over.

Hate to say it but you might be better off.. Just test each bucket seperately before the entire system is assembled then when they all seal well go for it. I like the square buckets better because of the flat surface area where fitting goes threw.

 

[Ipsissimus]

the marine epoxy that bonds wet works well, until you bump a bucket. it gets more brittle with time too, ime.

i prefer gaskets/grommets or barb (wrong word?) over glue/sealant because you can move things around, break it down and clean it, move it, etc. Dumping a bunch of epoxy over it (or wrapping it up with teflon tape) obscures your view of any leaks, and say you bump a bucket and leak springs - you can't exactly wipe the epoxy off and start over. Like a permanent temporary fix. Obscured really slow leaks can cause big problems too, because you don't notice them, and then don't check for a few days.

you say fittings - whatcha got? i'm telling ya, with the right grommet you could put a drainage line through a square. With a tight enough fit and enough rubber, it conforms to whatever you place it in from the pressure of the hose expanding outwards.

 

[PuReKnOwLeDgE]

That sucks man, I HATE leaks and will not tolerate them. I recently did a 24 bucket set up, and a couple had very small leaks. I tightend up the ebb/flo fitting with some plyers and they were good to go. However, I did use the correct size holesaw. I think your best bet is to try the gasket idea, make your own. If that doesn't work you are going to have take the hit on the buckets and buy some more, learn from your mistakes. Have you made it to the feed lines yet? IMO that is where the fun kicks in.

 

[njayjay]

Yea the feed lines are working nice with no leaks. It's just the buckets. I think I'm gonna try the glue gun and/or teflon tape. Massive amoutns of it. I'm not rebuilding this POS again.

 

[gmanwho]

Use a Glue gun man.... im telling u. everyone in hydro should have have one.

Please let me know how you make out. sometimes technique when applying the glue makes it or breaks it. go slow and keep the hot gun tip on the plastic you are sealing.


B-safe

 

[Chiefsmokingbud]

I don't see how hot glue is going to adhere to the slick surface of the bucket. Honestly if you have to jerry rig something with glue.........one day you will come home to a flooded house. If you're in a rental that's a sure way to get busted.

 

[gmanwho]

I don't see how hot glue is going to adhere to the slick surface of the bucket. Honestly if you have to jerry rig something with glue.........one day you will come home to a flooded house. If you're in a rental that's a sure way to get busted.

It fuses from the heat.

Flood trays, buckets, hoses. Anything plastic.

Thou it is not pliable.It dries hard, so if its an area that continually get bent and moved i wouldn't advise it. But how often u move the buckets around?? not much.

When i ran my biobuckets it was the best thing i could ever have used. i use it on my diy flood trays for the bulk head fittings. irrigation tees & elbows on drip systems. glueing airstones to bottom of buckets.

I see how U could have a point chief, but it works great. I was skeptical as first, till i bought one an tried it. it actually adheres really well to bucket if u work it slow and use the tip of the glue gun to heat the area more. HI-temp glue works best.

B-safe..

 

[Bush Dr]

Glaziers RTV is the bollocks, looks like clear RTV but it sticks like shit, I have 2 glass shower doors 5mm thick held in some 5.5mm channel with the stuff

Home Depot probably have similar product in the shower section for setting shower frames in

Hot melt will peel off a shiny surface in no time at all

 

[petemoss]

Gman is right. Hot glue works great! first, rough up the smooth surfaces around the hole with some sandpaper. Then use the point of the glue gun to
melt little dimples in the plastic while you are squirting out the hot glue. It looks messy but it will hold, as long as you prepare the surfaces. Easier to show than to explain. Here's a pic of a barb that's been hot glued. No gasket, just a tight hole.

 

[Ipsissimus]

putting the glue on the inside takes advantage of water pressure, constantly pushing it into any gaps, which helps. you want it spot on with a multi-bucket setup, the risk is multiplied.

i've tried a few different setups, and I've found rubber hoses and grommets to be the best. no leaks, and it's modular, I love it. I just did this veggie outdoor ebb and flow kid pool thing, and I was having fun just linking random containers around the yard.

also thought i'd mention - if you haven't yet, try "forstner" drill bits, they are a little waxed, but they are schweet.

 

[gmanwho]

Petemoss know whats up....... I always thought of my grandmother when i associated with hot glue guns,making wreaths and what not. Till i tried it, slow and steady with the glue.

If u got big holes apply some, let it dry, refill, let it dry . layer it but lightly remelt the previous area.

never had to sandpaper myself, but i could see how it could help.

B-safe

 

[gmanwho]

Any updates??