Non Toxic Reservoir Repair?

**masterofpuppets** · 12-22-2010, 02:37 PM

Hi all,

I was doing some cleanup in my flower room the other day and in trying to prop up my tank (terrible idea in retrospect...) Long story short, I punched a hole about the size of a pencil into the bottom of my aeroflo 60 res. Needless to say it was a chaotic scene! After debating all kinds of silly shit, I finally glued strips of rubber (bike tubes) to the inside of the tank using pvc cement, dried it for an hour and then refilled. Amazingly this has held for a week. Now, I know that cured pvc cement is not supposed to leach toxic stuff when wet, and I'm guessing the same for the rubber... but after time and with exposure to nutes... just dunno.

I went to the depot and looked around for a permanent fix, but of course all the serious sealants are toxic as hell. Since it's held, I'm tempted to wait until the cycle's done. Ain't broke don't fix it has been best in my growing exp. I picked up a screw and nut that has thick rubber grommet type washers on either side, and was thinking that combined with some waterproof silicone caulk might be a cleaner fix at some point...

Anybody have any experience fixing these tubs? Should I get that tire out of there ASAP? Gotta find a non toxic, permanent fix that will hold the pressure... I'd hate to have to buy a new res - things are probly $300 and i dunno if u can order w/o the lid!

Appreciate it!

PS: the hole is right in one of the inset grooves on the bottom - not flat

**Dicky** · 12-22-2010, 02:40 PM

depending on the material its made from sealant used for aquariums might work, or maybe a plug kit for sealing car tires..maybe, no idea on if its toxic, but i think any vulcanized rubber may pose a prob, maybe a small piece of liner used for outdoor ponds glued down with aquarium cement, just brainstorming here hope it helps..peeeaaace

**lowerarchy** · 12-22-2010, 02:44 PM

RTV (room temperature vulcanizing) silicone is the stuff they use for aquariums. Inert enough to keep tropicl fish alive, inert enough to keep the hardy cannabis plant alive, I'd hope. I wouldn't use the screw - better not to have any metals in the sauce.

**BeaverHuntr** · 12-22-2010, 02:49 PM

Notthing will really work to fix it.. You might be able to stop the leak temporarily but it will leak again.. If you know how to weld plastic or know anyone who does then thats your best bet find out what type of plastic it is.

**zem** · 12-22-2010, 05:22 PM

you can fix it, there are sealants that completely weld the plastic together, silicone will leak in some time especially under water pressure. the pvc cement should hold on better, never tried it thought

**masterofpuppets** · 12-22-2010, 05:39 PM

good point about the metal, i hadn't even thought that through with rust and all. Problem with using just the silicone (aquarium) is that I'm afraid your probably right that it will leak since its bigger than a crack...

Beavr, plastic welding?? No idea... I'll check it out but if it involves special tools I'm probably out on that. They say its a coextruded plastic, but that doesn't tell me much.

I did do a little research and the bike tube is fine - its actually the same rubber material they use for fish safe pond liner. and the cured pvc cement is also non toxic / leaching. So as long as it holds, i'm gonna go with it.

If it pops again I may try to fill with aquarium silicone, dry, and then glue another rubber patch on top with pvc cement (or aquarium cement??)... but I also found the Panda Reservoir only online for 108 delivered so it might be a moot point

Thanks for the input! If anyone thinks I'm gonna kill myself speak up!

**Dicky** · 12-22-2010, 05:49 PM

lol all i can say is ya gotta know when to hold em an when to fold em lol but seriously if it were me and it made me worry..fuck it replace it, thats why we work our asses off isnt it lol. peeeaaace

**masterofpuppets** · 12-22-2010, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by zem

you can fix it, there are sealants that completely weld the plastic together, silicone will leak in some time especially under water pressure. the pvc cement should hold on better, never tried it thought

I was thinking there would be something out there like that - like a JB weld for plastic... I haven't found anything though. Anybody know what it is? All of the techniques i found involved burly tools except solvent welding which might involve decomposing plastic in a solvent and then letting it harden in the hole. That's getting close to the idea of using pvc cement though which is still holding tuff...

**Dicky** · 12-22-2010, 05:59 PM

call jb weld.....not a bad idea

**masterofpuppets** · 12-22-2010, 06:00 PM

ya, no doubt! but it's not just me bein cheap... I got 30 days left in bloom, and I'd rather not take the fucker down mid cycle unless absolutely necessary!